Peculiarities of Russian architecture. Features of the Russian architectural restoration school

These styles can not only be called "Russian", but also say that they influenced the international scene. It's a good opportunity to remember our architecture, perhaps to update the school itself... well, to get rid of the complex of losers in architecture.

Wooden architecture of the Russian North

Time: from time immemorial - until the XIX century

Location: Russian North

Now no one will say where this architecture came from: hipped churches, similar to space rockets; huts-yards the size of half a five-story building; silvery aspen "scales" - plowshares on roofs and cupolas. Something, of course, was forged by the harsh northern climate - at least the same house-yards, where everything, from housing to a barn, was removed under one roof to protect it from snow and frost. Something, probably, was borrowed from the neighbors in ancient times: the Klet churches vaguely resemble the Varangian stave churches, and the Tatars are trying to challenge the invention of the tent. Be that as it may, all these types of buildings are more than a thousand years old, and for example, the first Sophia of Novgorod, cut down in the year of the Baptism of Rus', was a tent temple. Born from the land where they stand, its nature and history, these buildings are as natural as the surrounding groves, hills and rivers.

Seven bright examples

• The Kizhi churchyard and museum in Karelia is the most perfect (Preobrazhenskaya) and the oldest surviving (Resurrection of Lazarus) wooden churches in Russia.
• Kimzha and other villages of the Mezen River are the most solid and authentic wooden Rus'.
• Small Korely near Arkhangelsk is the largest Russian museum of wooden architecture.
• The chapels of the Kenozero National Park are the most convenient reserve of wooden antiquity for recreation and excursions.
• The Sretensko-Mikhailovskaya Church on the site of the disappeared village of Krasnaya Lyaga is the most enchanted place.
• Varzuga and other villages of the Tersky coast in the Murmansk region are the northernmost old Russian villages.
• The Nevsky forest park near St. Petersburg is a recreated church of the Vytegorsky churchyard, the largest and most complex of those that survived until the 20th century, but burned down in the 1960s.

Moscow baroque and pattern

Time: XVII-XVIII centuries

Location: Central Russia, Russian North and Volga region

When you hear the phrase "Russian Church", you most often imagine samples of this particular style. These are neither gingerbread nor toy churches with magnificent forms, indispensable white and red colors, fireworks of kokoshniks above the roof, multi-colored cupolas and elaborate crosses. In Moscow and the surrounding cities in the middle of the 17th century, this style replaced the harsh, cold Byzantine architecture that had dominated since the time of Ancient Rus'. Earlier patterns are identified with mannerism, but it is not so easy to draw a line between it and the Moscow baroque itself - one style smoothly grew out of the other. Merchants stood at their origins. They went to trade in Europe and saw new trends there ... but they created something completely different. Most likely, they just wanted something new.

Seven notable examples:

• The Trinity Church in Nikitniki (Moscow) is the very first example of the style.
• The Assumption Cathedral in the Ryazan Kremlin is the most impressive example of the style in size.
• The Terem Palace in the Moscow Kremlin is the largest patterned palace.
• The Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery in Moscow is the most complete ensemble of Russian Baroque.
• The Church of John the Baptist in Yaroslavl is the most bizarre example of the style, and besides, it is depicted on the 1000 ruble bill.
• The Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kazan is the most perfect example of style.
• The Trinity Cathedral and other churches in Solikamsk (Perm Territory) are the best ensemble of this style away from Moscow.

"False Gothic"

Time: late 18th - early 19th century.

Location: suburbs of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

... Tired of the severity of classicism and the madness of the Baroque, Europeans in the 18th century suddenly remembered Gothic, the first architectural style that they invented themselves, without looking back at the Greeks and Romans. European cities, and in Russia - the estates of the most enlightened merchants and aristocrats then adorned with numerous stylizations for that era. But it turned out the same as with the baroque a century and a half earlier: Kazakov, Bazhenov, Felten, most likely without noticing how, created a completely Russian architectural style, which is now called not even "neo-Gothic", but "false Gothic". In essence, this is just Russian baroque successfully disguised as gothic. It is also indicative that the Old Believers, the guardians of Rus' of Dopetrovskaya, to whom Catherine II granted a short thaw in those years, built their churches in this style, preferring it to "Latin" classicism.

Seven notable examples:

• The Tsaritsyno estate in Moscow is the very first and largest ensemble in this style.
• The Petrovsky Palace in Moscow is less famous than Tsaritsyno, but no less beautiful.
• The Nikolskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin is the most famous example of the style, as it stands right on Red Square.
• The Rogozhsky and Preobrazhensky monasteries in Moscow - as "false Gothic" were loved by the Old Believers.
• The Chesme Church in St. Petersburg is the most beautiful church in this style.
• Novo-Nikolsky Cathedral in Mozhaisk is the largest church in this style.
• Station New Peterhof - and this, for comparison, is classical, not "false" neo-Gothic.

Siberian Baroque

Time: XVIII - early XIX century.

Location: Siberia

Russia also has its own gothic style, and it is necessary to look for it in Siberia. In general, the "Moscow baroque" was not close to the merchants of the Russian North - the most businesslike and patriarchal - and they created a completely different style. Northern churches - white, thin and tall - resemble sailing ships. From city to city they differed in order, and the churches of Totma cannot be confused with the churches of Ustyug and Vyatka, and the churches of Vyatka with the churches of the Urals. The farther to the east, the more original their appearance was, reaching its apotheosis somewhere between the Urals and Baikal. Siberian churches are unforgettable. Their aspiration to the sky, flaming silhouettes of roofs and architraves, small cupolas, similar to the lights of candles - among the squat wooden cities, to which the taiga came close in the old days, they seemed to be a frozen radiance.

Seven notable examples:

• The Trinity Cathedral in Verkhoturye (Sverdlovsk region) is not yet Siberian baroque, but its prototype.
• The Transfiguration Church in Verkhnyaya Sinyachikha (Sverdlovsk region) is the most western and most original example of the style.
• Churches of Podgora (Tobolsk) - several mostly abandoned baroque churches look amazing among the wooden old town at the foot of the Kremlin mountain; but the Kremlin itself is still Moscow, not Siberian, architecture.
• The Resurrection Church in Tomsk is the most beautiful example of the style.
• The churches of Irkutsk are, among other things, decorated with Buddhist (!) ornaments.
• Odigitrievsky Cathedral in Ulan-Ude is the heart of the city, the most eastern example of the style and the first earthquake-resistant building in Russia.
• The Assumption Church near Nerchinsk is more of a pattern, but almost in the Far East! The furthest Russian church from Moscow of the 18th century.

Wooden Art Nouveau

Time: late 19th - early 20th century.

Location: all of the former Russian Empire.

And, in fact, not only Art Nouveau - and eclecticism, and echoes of classicism: half a century before the revolution, Russian wooden architecture experienced a real renaissance. Moreover, if in pre-Petrine times wooden churches set the tone, in the 19th century the leadership passed to mansions. The most diverse: city houses, estates, summer cottages ... Often - with wooden lace. As happened in Russia more than once, merchants and industrialists from among the liberated peasants were the legislators of this style, and only then this fashion that came from the depths of Russia was accepted by the capital's intellectuals. Huge districts-ensembles of carved wooden houses are one of the most unique sights of Russia.

Seven notable examples:

• Dachas of the early twentieth century in the vicinity of Moscow and especially St. Petersburg.
• Wooden quarters of Vologda, primarily Nizhny Posad and Zarechye.
• Kozmodemyansk on the Volga is the most abundant and elegant carving.
• Soligalich in Kostroma is the most solid and authentic wooden old town, where even the shopping malls are chopped.
• The wooden quarters of Astrakhan, which is especially surprising if you remember that there is a desert around.
• The wooden quarters of Tomsk, primarily Tatarskaya Sloboda and Voskresenskaya Gora, are perhaps the best reserve of this style.
• Wooden quarters of Irkutsk - together with Tomsk and Vologda completes the "big three" of Russian wooden cities.

In modern Russia, architecture is at a turning point. Ample opportunities for the use of a variety of structures and materials make it possible to implement the most daring architectural ideas, radical social and political changes are rapidly changing the way of life, reflected in art and architecture. Therefore, in modern Russian architecture, a trend began to take shape in the search for an artistic language capable of expressing the national character.

Russian architecture has many cultural roots, so answering the question of what a Russian house is is sometimes not so easy. But, you can see at least two architectural trends that form the basis of Russian architecture: noble, and folk. The first is represented by the architecture of noble estates, the second is embodied in the intricate carving of wooden towers.

It is worth referring to the architectural and artistic traditions, on the basis of which the “Russian style” was formed. Initially, the formation of the Russian style was significantly influenced by the use of Byzantine art forms, combined with the traditions of ancient Russian architecture and folk art. It is worth remembering that the first Russian churches were built according to Byzantine canons. All buildings in Rus' were built at first from wood and had originality: the facade of the tower did not have a clear organization, but the outside of the house was richly decorated with gilding and inlay, national ornaments were used in cornices, columns and friezes. The roofs were painted with bright colors. During this period, Russian architects mastered the techniques of craftsmanship, which made it possible to erect complex buildings of a high artistic level.

It is necessary to add examples of modern development objects made in this manner.

At the turn of the XVII and XVIII centuries. Russian architecture went in unison with the pan-European. But the sharpness of the transition on the one hand, and national identity on the other. European trends were rethought, organically assimilated and introduced into the context of national culture, giving rise to a new tradition. Thus, the process of formation of the second branch of the Russian national style took place, which was reflected in the classical Russian estate of the 18th - 19th centuries. The architects managed to create a special world, in accordance with the needs and possibilities of the owner, in which the details of the classical Russian style were emphasized, combined with the latest trends in European architecture, were designed to emphasize the status of the owner of the house. Thus, a "family nest" was formed, the inhabitants of which were proud of their history and origin.

"In the projects of the Canadian House company, a whole line of houses designed in the Russian style is highlighted. The architects really allowed themselves some liberties, but they were accurate in details without any compromises, realizing the compositional techniques characteristic of the Russian house. There are no "standard blanks" in it Specifically for the project, exactly those constructive units that are necessary were created, that is, architectural creativity was combined with an understanding of the design, which creates its own special style, modern - and unmistakably Russian.

Comprehension of national features and traditions, the formation of the "Russian style" in the architecture of the 18th-beginning. 20th century associated with patriotic sentiments in society and "national-romantic" trends in world culture. Under the influence of the romantic trend in the architecture of Russia, a desire was formed to continue Russian national traditions in modern art, which was reflected in various forms and details in Russian architecture of the 19th century. and the development of the "Russian style", expressed in various artistic systems: Russian-Byzantine style, Russian (pseudo-Russian) style, neo-Russian style. During this period, architecture was aimed at recognizing the originality and originality of Russian art and had the closest connection with architectural and construction practice. Theoretical ideas and views of the period under consideration allow us to conclude that initially the concept of "Russian style" was associated with an appeal to the forms and techniques of ancient Russian (pre-Petrine) architecture and folk (peasant and urban) art.

The next stage in the development of Russia falls on the end of XIX - beginning. 20th century and is associated with the understanding of new social and moral problems: personality and society, art and life, the place of the artist in society, etc., which led to the search for new visual methods and means through the analysis and study of Russian national culture. "Russian style" in this period is focused on convention, gravitates towards synthesis, an innovative way of interpretation. The search for new imagery led to the formation of new stylistic trends: neo-Russian style, modern, neoclassicism, which manifested themselves in various ways and received their most complete expression in architecture.

But for the implementation of these styles, a creative rethinking of the task by the architect is necessary, his ability to harmoniously combine different styles and details in order to get just a vivid example of the neo-Russian style. But the practice of recent decades proves that for typical Russian builders of suburban settlements and low-rise buildings in the suburbs, an architect with his creative abilities is not in demand. There were exceptions, but a house designed by a famous architect is an extra luxury that the rich have to pay for. But there is always an idea and there are people who can implement it. This is how the project "Swedish Ponds" of the PRSU company appeared. The company was faced with the task of making economical housing: houses with apartments of 30-60 m², but avoiding the construction of "concrete boxes" and building the building in a classical manner. "The main thing, probably, in our decision to turn specifically to the neo-Russian style was that a house of a small area in classical architecture looks rather poor, but in modern or high-tech style, surrounded by trees ... let's say, it's strange. And the architecture in the neo-Russian style, with its simple, concise, but at the same time such familiar forms, small sizes solves" - says Viktor Kulishov, Sales Director of the company. The houses are small, densely packed, the plots do not have a fence, there is no chic here, but a special calm, cultural environment has been created, contrasting with the carbon monoxide landscape of a typical suburban village, or urban concrete boxes!

The neo-Russian style can be traced in the works of supporters of the “national style”, who focused on the use of decorative techniques and forms of national (and often folk) architecture, considering them as a symbol of national expressiveness, as well as ideas of statehood, which found expression in the creation of exhibition pavilions and art exhibitions of peoples THE USSR. This approach ensured expressiveness, national character, originality and uniqueness of architecture, however, although all the masters of Soviet architecture insisted that one should learn from the architecture of the past (including national architecture) through the knowledge of the methods and techniques of the work of its creators, in practice, attempts to master and the use of national heritage sometimes led to a formal copying of the forms and details of architecture of past centuries.

In the process of evolution of Russian national culture in architecture, the concept of "Russian style" was formed as a reflection of the totality of conscious traditions, traits, features characteristic of Russian culture not in a specific historical period, but from the time of the formation of a single Russian nation to this day. The development of the "Russian style" in art took place cyclically, reflecting all the events that took place in the country and in society. Despite the difference in the formal features of the "Russian style", corresponding to different stages of its evolution, its figurative and content aspect remained unchanged, and originality, national character were the ideological and artistic dominant.

This is how Russian architecture has developed, which not only is not inferior to foreign, but also represents the best works in world art. Monuments of Russian architecture speak of national identity (character), traditions and continuity at all stages of the development of Russian culture.

March 2nd, 2017 03:00 pm

Of course, today there are many books where all historical periods, the entire history of Russian architecture, all styles and trends are described in detail.
But the nature of the Internet is such that many people want to understand common problems in one short note.
It is this review that I offer to the readers of the journal Architectural Style -

Briefly about the periods and styles of Russian architecture

1. Old Russian architecture
X - XVII century.
The history of ancient Russian architecture has seven centuries. Even a simple enumeration of all periods of development of Old Russian architecture is a huge research work. This path was so complex and diverse.
The architecture of Kyiv and Chernigov, the architecture of Novgorod the Great and Pskov, Smolensk and Polotsk. An independent and very bright Vladimir-Suzdal architecture developed in the North-Eastern part of Rus', in the Zalessky land. By the end of the XII century. in Rus', several architectural trends are being formed, although the general principles throughout Rus' were the same. In the XIII century. The Vladimir-Suzdal school was divided into two independent ones, one built in Suzdal, Nizhny Novgorod and Yuryev-Polsky, the other - in Vladimir, Rostov and Yaroslavl. And, finally, the era of the centralized Russian state, which in the 15th-16th centuries united individual Russian lands around Moscow. The process of unification of Russian lands around Moscow, the formation of a single Russian state, influenced the formation of an all-Russian architectural tradition. The architecture of the 17th century was characterized by the complexity and picturesque compositions, diversity and richness of architectural details.
Among the works of Old Russian architecture there are no copies from foreign buildings, there is no mechanical imitation of the architecture of neighboring countries.

2. "Naryshkin" baroque
End of the 17th century
The first stage in the development of Russian baroque dates back to the era of the Russian kingdom, from the 1680s to the 1700s, called Moscow, or "Naryshkin" baroque. A feature of this style (?) Is its close connection with the already existing Russian traditions. Striving for patterns, picturesqueness and elegance, a kind of link between ancient Russian architecture and the new Baroque style.

Church of the Intercession in Fili, in Moscow, 1694

3. Style Baroque
1st half of the 18th century
The foundation of St. Petersburg gave a powerful impetus to the development of Russian architecture, a new stage in the development of Russian baroque begins - Peter's baroque. It was an architectural style based on Western models. The largest building of this time is the Peter and Paul Cathedral. And despite the abundance of foreign architects, Russia is beginning to form its own architectural school. The architecture of the time of Peter the Great is characterized by simplicity of volumetric constructions, clarity of articulations and restraint of decoration, and a planar interpretation of facades. Later in Russia, a new direction is being developed - the Elizabethan Baroque. Its appearance is most often associated with the name of the outstanding architect Rastrelli. The difference between this style and the Petrine one lies in its close connection with the traditions of the Moscow Baroque. Rastrelli designed majestic palace complexes in St. Petersburg and its environs - the Winter Palace, the Catherine Palace, Peterhof. The architect is characterized by the gigantic scale of buildings, the splendor of decorative decoration, the decoration of facades with the use of gold. The major, festive nature of Rastrelli's architecture left its mark on all Russian art in the middle of the 18th century. The original page of the Elizabethan Baroque is represented by the work of Moscow architects of the middle of the 18th century, headed by D.V. Ukhtomsky and I.F. Michurin. The main idea of ​​the Baroque is beauty, solemnity, grandiloquence, exaggerated pathos and theatricality.

Grand Palace in Tsarskoye Selo, 1752-1757, architect. V.V. Rastrelli

4. Style Classicism
2nd half of XVIII - early. 19th century

Classicism is an appeal to the forms of ancient architecture as a standard of harmony, simplicity, rigor, logical clarity and monumentality. Order became the basis of the architectural language of classicism. Classicism is characterized by symmetrical-axial compositions and restraint of decorative decoration. Russian classicism is a style in art that arose in Russia under Catherine II, who in a certain way strove for the Europeanization of Russia. The emergence of a new style was preceded by more than half a century of development of the Russian art of the New Age, characterized by the predominance of the Baroque. Since the 60s of the 18th century, Russian architects have been designing and building buildings in the noble simplicity of classicism.

Pashkov House in Moscow, 1784-1788 arch. V.I. Bazhenov (?).

5. « National romantic» stage
1780 - 1800
In the second half of the 18th century, along with the leading classical direction, there was a short period, which later was most often called the “Gothic style”. This is the time of active creativity of V.I. Bazhenov and M.F. Kazakov, and their most famous building is the Tsaritsyno ensemble. Despite Catherine's instructions, our architects took as their starting point not Gothic, but Old Russian forms. Tsaritsyn is characterized by an intricate colorful play of white-stone details against the background of red-brick walls, reminiscent of the details and motifs of Russian architecture of the 17th century. In general, the works of this stage in the classical architectural school are called the time of the National Romantic quest.

Palace in Tsaritsyno, in Moscow, 1775 - 1785, architect. V.I.Bazhenov and M.F.Kazakov

6. Style Empire
1800 - 1840
"Imperial style" Empire is the final stage of classicism, with massive and monumental forms, rich decoration, with elements of military symbols.

The main headquarters in St. Petersburg, 1819-1829, arch. K.I.Rossi

7. Eclectic
1830 - 1890
A direction in architecture that focuses on the use of any form of the past in any combination in one building. Eclecticism rebelled against academic dogmas that demanded to follow the "eternal" laws of ancient architecture. Eclecticism itself cannot be a style, as it is a mixture of stages and styles of past years.
A few words about eclecticism

Assumption Church in St. Petersburg, 1896-1898, architect. G.Kosyakov

8. Style Modern
Late 19th century - 1917
The stylistic direction is associated with the use of new technical and constructive means, free planning to create emphasized individualized buildings. The term "Modern" defines architecture that has sharply rebelled against imitation. The slogan of modernity is modernity and novelty. A system of artistic forms that is in any way related to the order or "styles" of eclecticism does not exist in modernity at all.
The principle of designing a building “outside-in”, characteristic of past styles, from the shape of the plan and volume to the internal arrangement of premises, is opposed in modernism by the opposite principle: “from inside-out”. The shape of the plan and facade is not set initially, it follows from the features of the internal planning structure.
About modern - http://odintsovgrigori.ucoz.ru/index/mod ern/0-255

Ryabushinsky's mansion in Moscow, 1900, architect F.O. Shekhtel

9. Retrospectivism
1905 - 1917
A very complex direction, a kind of parallel to late modernity. A direction based on the development of the architectural heritage of past eras, from ancient Russian architecture to classicism. The distinction between late modernity and retrospectivism is extremely difficult to draw. Examples of the three main currents in retrospectivism are -

9.1 - Neoclassicism
The building of the Kievsky railway station in Moscow resembles the famous buildings of Russian classicism and Empire. The symmetry of this solemn composition is enlivened by a square clock tower placed on the right corner. With sufficient rigor of architectural forms, the decorative decoration of the building is very diverse, with juicy "antique" motifs.

Kyiv railway station. 1914-1924, arch. I.I.Rerberg, V.K.Oltarzhevsky, with the participation of V.G.Shukhov.

9.2 - Neo-Russian style
Architecture researchers have expressed the opinion that the neo-Russian style is closer to modernity than to eclecticism, and this differs from the "pseudo-Russian style" in its traditional sense.
The building of the Loan Treasury combines business representativeness with the plasticity of the chambers of the 17th century. The shape of the front porch against the background of the diamond rustication of the wall enhances the decorative effect of the building. The decor is dominated by the motifs of the "Naryshkin baroque". However, the complete symmetry of the facade violates the "principles of modernity" and gives the building some eclecticism....

Loan treasury in Nastasinsky per. in Moscow. 1913-1916, arch. V.A. Pokrovsky and B.M. Nilus

9.3 - Neo-Gothic
The Catholic Cathedral on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street in Moscow is a three-nave cruciform pseudo-basilica. The main volume of the temple was built in 1901-1911, finishing work inside continued until 1917. According to various testimonies, some European gothic cathedrals. This Catholic cathedral has the largest organ in Russia and you can listen to organ music concerts.

Catholic Cathedral on M. Gruzinskaya street. 1901-1911, arch. F.O.Bogdanovich-Dvorzhetsky.

Styles......
It is impossible to fit on one sheet the entire centuries-old history of domestic architecture.
My task is more specific - to give a general, very schematic concept of how the styles of architecture changed from the second half of the 17th century to 1917.

And an important clarification about "Styles":
- In the history of architecture, the very concept "Architectural style" appeared relatively recently, and refers only to periods from the 18th century, from the Baroque style. Sometimes the Naryshkin baroque of the second half of the 17th century is also referred to as a style.
- The concept of “Style” is generally inapplicable to Old Russian architecture, and an expression like “a church in the Novgorod style” refers to a colloquial genre, and nothing more!
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Literature:
- History of Russian architecture. - M.: Academy of Architecture of the USSR, Institute of History and Theory of Architecture, 1956.
- E.I. Kirichenko. Russian architecture of the 1830s-1910s. - M.: Art, 1982.

Ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin

Art of the end of the 15th - 16th centuries

The formation of the Russian centralized state.

Capital - Moscow, stronghold of Orthodoxy, center of cultural heritage, "3rd Rome"

The state system is autocracy, the support is the nobility.

The main task of art- glorification of the Russian state.

Late 15th - early 16th century

I. Architecture - construction of the Moscow Kremlin, engineer Pietro Solari; Russian + Italian traditions; beauty, majesty, strength.

1. ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL (arch. Aristotle Fiorovanti ), 1475-1479; ancient Russian traditions + traditions of the Italian Renaissance (exterior: 5 chapters, (spacious, bright interior, perspective portals) of a secular nature).

2. Annunciation Cathedral "Golden-domed"

(arch. Marco Fryazin And Pietro Solari ) 1484-89, old Russian traditions ( basement - high ground floor, gallery, arcade-columnar belt on the facade and apse);

FACETED CHAMBER (arch. M. Fryazin and P. Solari ) - part of the Grand Duke's Palace; one-pillar hall S=500 sq.m, h=9m.

3.
ARCHANGEL CATHEDRAL (arch. Aleviz New ), 1505-1508. - the tomb of Moscow sovereigns (52 burials); in the style of the Renaissance 2-storey palazzo (luxurious decor: arcades, carvings, paintings, gilding).

4. CHURCH-BELL TOWER OF IVAN THE GREAT (arch. Bon Fryazin ), 1505-1508; grace and grandeur; wall thickness = 5m., h = 81m., 21 bells - weight - 4 thousand pounds.

To form ideas that Moscow was not only the political center of the revival of Rus', but also the focus of the formation of a common Russian culture; the development of culture was based on the Vladimir heritage; masterpieces of architecture - the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Archangel, the bell tower of Ivan the Great, the Terem Palace, the walls and towers of the Kremlin are a synthesis of the artistic techniques of the architecture of Rus' and the Italian Renaissance. Introduce the legend of the origin of the city. Consider an old drawing depicting the plan of the Moscow Kremlin of the 16th century.

Watch the documentary "Moscow Kremlin". Pay attention to the anthropomorphic nature of the towers, reminiscent of heroes in Russian armor. Tell that the Kremlin and its buildings have become a model that other cities of the Moscow Principality sought to imitate.

Independent work: to prepare a report on the history and shrines of one of the cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin.

The originality of Russian architecture

Head, Cross

Heads, in accordance with the Russian Orthodox tradition, are usually helmet-shaped or onion-shaped. The number of chapters, as a rule, should not be less than the number of thrones in the temple. In the tradition of Orthodox church building, the number of chapters is taken to be 1, 3, 5, 7, 13, etc., which is explained by numerical symbolism: 1 - the single head of the Church - Christ; 3 - the number of persons of the Holy Trinity; 5 - Christ and four Evangelists; 7 - seven orders of angels, seven Sacraments, seven Ecumenical Councils; 13 - Christ and 12 Apostles, etc.

The head should be crowned with an Orthodox Cross, oriented to the west. In Russian Orthodoxy, a 6-8-pointed Cross is adopted, which differs from the "Latin" one in the presence of upper and lower oblique crossbars. The "Greek" four-pointed Cross is equal-pointed. The size and pattern of the Cross are determined by the architecture of the temple.

Windows, bars

Windows, usually installed in the upper zone of the stone walls of the temple, traditionally have semicircular endings and are decorated on the outside with figured architraves with endings in the form of kokoshniks or others in accordance with the architectural style of the facades.

As a rule, gratings are installed on the windows of temples, some of which should be able to open to the outside of the premises for the purpose of fire safety. Lattice designs often use a cruciform motif. Examples of gratings are shown in fig. 21.

In a recent article, we talked about . Basically, these are different types of classics, either coming to us from ancient times, or its English version. One way or another, it is difficult to call these styles "native". But in the history of Russia, many architectural trends were created and transformed from foreign ones, which still influence construction, and sometimes are completely reproduced in country houses.

And let's start the review with the main factors that influenced the features of development in Russia, so as not to mention them separately later.

Features of national building. Historical.

stone and wood

In view of the availability of wood, stone and brick were not very popular materials in Russia. Of the "private traders", only the boyars, merchants and wealthy peasants could afford a house made of stone. Other buildings of this type were regulated at the state level: castles, public institutions, churches. Accordingly, the architectural diversity of individual housing construction developed mostly within the framework of wooden buildings. This left its mark both on the early architecture of Rus', and on the later - and even modern - manner of building houses.

wood carving

The connection of this feature with the previous one is self-evident: the architects decorated houses, but since the stone was not at all "in use", artistic woodcarving was actively developing.

temple buildings

At its core, the Russian people have always been more inclined towards functionality than decor - although there will always be lovers of "show face". Therefore, the main part of architectural delights developed within the framework of temple buildings - an industry in which architects spared neither strength nor inspiration. Therefore, all the "fashionable innovations" did not reach individual housing construction immediately and not in full - otherwise where has it been seen that a merchant's house resembled a chapel?

Roof Features

This feature cannot be called strictly national and it is found in many countries. But remember what the roofs of ancient buildings in southern countries look like? Flat. The reason is the type of precipitation: where snow falls, getting off with a flat roof is at best difficult, and at worst impossible. Therefore, the elongated silhouettes of even the earliest buildings are due precisely to this completely everyday feature.

History of Russian styles

When it comes to the history of the formation of our architectural traditions, it is customary to talk about castles and temples - individual buildings have always remained in the shadows. This lasted until the 17th-18th centuries, when the active construction of the estates of nobles and wealthy representatives of other classes began.

But even before this period, there are many interesting finds of individual houses, which are still reflected in our architecture.

Hut or log house

One of the very first buildings that appeared in Rus' was a hut: a small house made of chopped trees, with a sloping roof and a minimum of decorative ornaments, if not their absence. Builders "broke off" except perhaps on window frames - well, when they already appeared and not in the form of a bullish bubble stretched over the opening.

Boring, you say? No matter how! This ancient and glorious tradition has found its realization in modern times. Nondescript one-story buildings have turned into real beauties under the influence of new architectural trends. Of course, many people prefer brick houses, but real works of art are now being created from wood - massive, impressive log cabins.

Or like these - small and cozy houses that seem to grow out of the ground on their own, but in fact: inside there is a comfortable and modern interior:

marquee style

This style is named after the manner of completing the church building not with a dome, but with a multifaceted tent. This style was born within the framework of temple buildings, but it was so suitable for our climate that at first it firmly settled in the manor houses, and then, during the time of Ivan the Terrible, switched to stone buildings. It is to him that we owe the high, "pseudo-Gothic" outlines of architectural monuments that have survived to this day.

And if you think that this tradition has sunk into centuries and does not find realization in modern times, we hasten to dissuade you. For example, our architects created a design project for a cozy and modern dwelling based on a hipped-roof type:

Mansions and chambers

These are large, often public buildings, where both the masters and the serfs serving them lived. The difference between one and the other is that the mansions were built of wood, and the chambers were already made of stone. Their styles were very different: tented, simplified classics, trends of European styles were traced - often architects were invited from abroad.

Since stylistically the mansions followed the "trends" of that fashion, it cannot be said that they specifically influenced modern housing construction. But thanks to them popularized

manor

The estate replaced the mansions in the 17th century. This term often refers not only to a residential building, but also to the whole complex of buildings on the site: houses for servants, gazebos, stables, all kinds of additional buildings and a manor garden. However, by that hysterical period, architecture - including individual houses - had almost lost its bright national features: for the most part, Russian estates adhere to the classical or baroque style, depending on what period the building was in.

However, it is impossible to talk about the complete loss of Russian style. Sometimes it was a simple lack of finances, sometimes it was a utilitarian attitude to housing, but the Russian baroque of merchant houses is not as pompous and heavy as the Italian one. It is also impossible not to mention the eclectic combination of classics, empire and baroque, which has been formed in our country.

What has become of it now? Many who want to demonstrate their wealth, but do not want to fall into the immense diversity of baroque, draw inspiration from a more modest manor aesthetics - which is not only close to us in mentality, but also "hewn" by years of use.

Vologda wooden architecture

Surprised to find this category as a separate category? In vain - after all, in Vologda, its own, sharply characteristic manner of building houses was formed. The classic Vologda estate was built of wood, had two floors (the second sometimes hung over the first) and an obligatory loggia hanging over the porch.

Of course, over time, this style was diluted with classics: hipped roofs appeared, columns began to be actively used.

Does the Vologda style affect the appearance of today's? Undoubtedly. It was distinguished by its great compactness, which is still appreciated by our compatriots: sometimes from a practical point of view, and sometimes from an aesthetic one.

For example, the project of a mansion, which inherits the main ideas of the Vologda style:

rural style

It is impossible to mention this style, which appeared relatively recently - in Soviet times. According to statistics, rarely does anyone build such houses themselves, but they occupy a paradoxically large volume from all country-type buildings. Some were built back in Soviet times, some continue to be built in remote villages. To understand what we are talking about, just remember the classic Russian village.

Otherwise, its characteristic features are: the use of wood, carved window frames; a hipped roof with dormer windows (a simpler option is a mansard or gable roof without any tricks); one or one and a half floors depending on the type of roof. And if you look at the form, it becomes clear that the classic Russian huts served as inspiration, but this is a budget and very modest tracing paper from the manor style, with its characteristic symmetry, decorative elements and roof design features.

Conclusion

As you can see, in addition to the rather bright and original styles that originated in Russia, there are enough variations of foreign classics or baroque that look closer and dearer to us than their original version.

Now they are unfairly set aside, although many elements in a modern interpretation would look very good. Of course, it makes no sense to reproduce them one-on-one - if you grew up and live in Russia, all these buildings are probably already boring to you, but reasonable eclecticism breathes new life into familiar forms.

And if you like something, or you wish yourself a unique, aesthetic and most Russian house - our designers and architects will be happy to help you. A team of professionals not only knows how, but also loves their job, therefore they will fulfill your wishes as carefully and gracefully as possible, arranging them in a stylish architectural design.