Scholarly record

ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL (1839-1864) OF THE CITY OF VYATKA: RECONSTRUCTION OF EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR ELEMENTS

N. Krivosheina, E. Elpasheva, D. Pogodin, D. Cherezova

Abstract

The goal of the research is to reconstruct and recreate the elements of interior and exterior of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1839–1864) designed by Alexander Vitberg (1787–1855). This cathedral was built in Vyatka (Russia, Kirov region) to commemorate the visit of the Emperor Alexander I to the city in October, 1824. The cathedral was blown up in 1937 in the times of atheism. The study is of a great significance as this major cathedral is part of both local and national cultural heritage. Research methods include archival and bibliographic stages: studying of contracts for stone work and stone ornamentation, woodcarving and gilding. Visual analysis of photos made by Vyatka photographer Sergey Lobovikov in early twentieth century allowed us to give a description of the wall paintings in the cathedral interior. The result of the research is the recreation of the elements of cathedral’s interior and exterior, techniques, technologies and the materials used, terms of execution of contracts, prices, names of the craftsmen and stuff records. The research is to become a part of a monograph on one of the most important cultural, historical, educational and touristic monuments of provincial Russia.

Publication details

Back to publication list