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Chapel of Kirik and Iulita from Kashira Village in Vitoslavlitsy

Фото 1
The chapel from Kashira village is an interesting monument of the 17th century, dated 1745 according to dendrochronological analysis.

This small rectangular structure is 7.1 meters long and 5.3 meters wide, covered with a gable roof. The gallery, raised 1.5 meters above the ground, rests on special supports. The eastern part of the chapel is adorned with two octagonal towers that taper upwards and are topped with a dome covered with aspen shingles. The floor in the eastern part is raised by one step, forming a solea. These elements, such as the open top of the octagon and the solea, are characteristic of church buildings but are not mandatory for a chapel. In this case, the chapel served as a 'half-temple', where services were held during patronal feasts or by decision of the parishioners. A priest was invited from the parish church; however, there was no altar or throne in the chapel, which are mandatory elements of a church. The iconostasis was located along the eastern wall, occupying the entire space from wall to wall and from floor to ceiling.

The light and ornate bell tower above the entrance gives the building a special picturesque quality. The decorative balusters of the gallery and the porch with carved columns create a festive impression. All parts of the building are made 'in lap'. According to some sources, the chapel was transported to Kashira from another location and was significantly altered at that time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it underwent such renovations that it became hidden under a wooden casing, masking the most ornate elements, the gallery, carved columns, and supports. During the restoration, the monument was returned to its original expressive forms. A low porch leads into a room illuminated by two pairs of wide windows on the sides. The walls are hewn without rounding at the corners. The interior decoration has not survived, except for the raised floor, solea, in the eastern part.

In 1972, the chapel was moved to Vitoslavlitsy.

Geo point

Часовня Кирика и Иулиты из деревни Кашира в Витославлицах в Великом Новгороде

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