Naryshkin Baroque

"Naryshkin Baroque" - the term conditional. This direction arose at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. Moscow's Naryshkin Baroque is a bizarre and full of grace. According to many researchers of the history of art, it was formed not as an imitation of the West and a kind of "copying" of models of architecture in Europe. This style is unique and original, it organically blended with the traditions of ancient architecture of Russia. And he is perceived as a truly Russian phenomenon in architecture. The architectural style of the "baroque" of Western Europe introduced in it only some, often almost imperceptible elements.

The architects of that period embodied in their creations inner harmony, peace. "Naryshkin Baroque" is festive, airy. The buildings are distinguished by some delicate lightness. At the same time, there are more dynamics in the West European style, aspirations to cover as much space as possible. The Western European trend was reflected, mainly, in the popularity of ornaments, rounded volumes.

Among other things, "Naryshkin Baroque" embodies the contrast of the two tones. The architects use a white stone pattern on a red-brick background, polychrome tiles are used. For the monuments of architecture of that time polygonal (polygonal) or oval windows are very characteristic , exclusive decorativeness, embodying the traditions of "grass ornament" and "Russian uzorochya." This can be seen in the iconostasis, pulpits, gilded boxes, painted in a corresponding solemnity.

The first temples in this style appeared in the estates of the closest relatives of Tsar Peter the Great along the lines of his mother. Uncle of the emperor, Lev Naryshkin, became the inspiration for church buildings. Administrator of the Ambassadorial Order, diplomat, boyar, he became the customer of the Church of the Intercession in the Fili, the Savior in the Harvest, the Trinity in the Trinity-Lykov.

The most talented embodied the ideas of "Naryshkinsky Baroque" architect-nugget, serf from the Moscow region, Yakov Bukhvostov.

The most vivid monument was the Church of the Sign of the Blessed Virgin. It was erected at the end of 1680 - early 1690 in the Naryshkin Manor. Like other buildings, the church is represented in the form of a bell tower. Strikingly magnificent white-stone decoration. Master architects created a delightful filigree pattern of openwork parapets and platbands on the windows. Fantastic lightness of the church is given by crosses, white stone and red brick facades, the original construction of a tiered building. In this building the "Naryshkin Baroque" was embodied in all its glory. Here there is a symmetrical composition of structures, carved pediments, three-dimensional window and door openings. The temple looked very elegant and festive.

The interior of the building, unfortunately, did not survive. And after the closure in 1929, the building itself was changed somewhat. The Soviet leaders placed a dining room and a hospital in the church. In 1930, the wings were broken, and along the street a new building was erected to accommodate the expanding hospital. Later the building of the church suffered even more during the Great Patriotic War (a bomb exploded nearby).

Today the temple is returned to the believers. However, the building requires a serious restoration. It should be noted that the building is located in a unique place. The spirit of continuous history reigns here.

Conducted archaeological excavations in these places indicate that it was here that the oprichny court of Ivan the Terrible could be located. It is known that the state, including Moscow itself, was divided by the tsar into Zemstvo and oprichnina. To his oprichnye possessions, Grozny carried the western territory of the city. The Emperor himself settled near the future Church of the Sign.

It should also be noted that from the name of the temple the names of several streets of Moscow originate. They include, in particular, Znamenka, as well as Znamensky Small and Bolshoy Lane.