Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes

Allrus Architecture, Art, Religion

Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes

Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin is the world cultural monument, located in Pskov, Russia. In this temple preserved the oldest known (1313) frescoes of Pskov school of monumental painting (painting of the Transfiguration Cathedral of Mirozhsky Monastery of XII century. Belong to the Byzantine school). This temple – a very fragile structure. It has a very complicated story, a very difficult life. It was rebuilt many times, safety of frescoes, which are absolutely unique. One of the oldest of the existing monasteries in Pskov, the first mention in the records of the XIII century. Originally the monastery was a male.

The Last Judgment. Fragment. The chained Devil on the Beast devouring the heads of sinners with the soul of Judas on his knees
The Last Judgment. Fragment. The chained Devil on the Beast devouring the heads of sinners with the soul of Judas on his knees

On the north wall – a unique iconography vision of the Prophet Daniel, many of the details were widely spread in the Russian art of post-Byzantine period. On the vault are depicted the Ancient of Days of Christ surrounded by angels and lying on thrones open books. The scene is located in front of images of Christ and the Apostles from the Last Judgment. Below are trumpeting angels and the four beasts – symbols of earthly kingdoms.

They are all named: Persian, Hellenic, Roman and the Antichrist. To the right of them in the bottom arches was portrayed Daniel himself (the top of the figure is lost, but he is recognizable by his characteristic clothes). To the left on the west wall located a few images associated with the vision of Christ, the Virgin and St. John the Baptist with the angels bearing the instruments of the Passion prophets Zechariah and Isaiah.

The Last Judgment. Fragment. The bosom of Abraham and the prudent robber
The Last Judgment. Fragment. The bosom of Abraham and the prudent robber

Further, under the vision of Daniel presented the traditional image of the earth and the sea, favoring the dead. Lower contrast images of paradise, located in the same traditional scenes of hell. On the left represented a cautionary parable of Dives and Lazarus (Luke 16:19). The rich man in hell is depicted sitting together with a devil. Satan is depicted on the right on two-headed monster with the soul of Judas in his hands.

In Hellfire near Satan’s head were depicted many sinners, all of them were signed by their first names. Most of them correspond to the text of the Life of the New Basil details about the vision of the Last Judgment. Here are the founders of the heresies of Macedonia, North, Arius, Apollinaris, Nestorius, Origen, wicked kings: Diocletian and Julian the Apostate. To them Pskov painters added Herod and Herodias and Salome, Bogomil heretic and murderer of Saints Boris and Gleb – Damned Svjatopolk.

Ascension
Ascension

The holy fathers, shown in the lower tier of the walls are preserved on the eastern wall of the lateral branches of the cross on the sides of the altar.

Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes ‘s Photo

During the occupation of Pskov by the Nazi invaders, the Gestapo set up a shelter on the territory of the former monastery.
During the occupation of Pskov by the Nazi invaders, the Gestapo set up a shelter on the territory of the former monastery.
Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. Epiphany
Epiphany
Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. Evangelist (painting in sails)
Evangelist (painting in sails)
Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. In 1993, the Nativity of the Virgin, the Snetogorsk Monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.
In 1993, the Nativity of the Virgin, the Snetogorsk Monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. In the late 1940s - 1950s. health care facilities were located on the territory of the monastery
In the late 1940s – 1950s. health care facilities were located on the territory of the monastery
Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. Nativity of the Theotokos (with traces of the fire of the 16th century)
Nativity of the Theotokos (with traces of the fire of the 16th century)
Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. Resurrection
Resurrection
Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. Reverend Fathers
Reverend Fathers

Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes

Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes. Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes
Snetogorsk monastery XIII century frescoes
Snetogorsk Virgin and Child
Snetogorsk Virgin and Child
The Last Judgment. Fragment. Beasts from the vision of the prophet Daniel
The Last Judgment. Fragment. Beasts from the vision of the prophet Daniel
The Last Judgment. Fragment. Soul of Judas on the knee of the Devil
The Last Judgment. Fragment. Soul of Judas on the knee of the Devil