The old church of Kosma and Damian stands apart from other architectural monuments of Kaluga. Harmonious proportions, round baroque towers and striking mosaics are amazing. It seems that such beauty could only be built in St. Petersburg. The amazing beauty of the Kaluga temple is not missed by any excursion around the cities of the "Golden Ring" of Russia.
Temple history
A long time ago, near the forges, next to Epiphany Street, there was a wooden St. Nicholas Church with a chapel of the patrons of blacksmithing - Cosma and Damian. In the middle of the 18th century, the tent-roofed church burned down in a fire and was moved to the Moscow Gate.
The Church of Cosmas and Damian from a bird's eye view
The stone church, which has survived to this day, was consecrated in honor of the Savior Not Made by Hands in 1794. The treasury paid for it a lot of money at that time - 70 thousand rubles in silver. It is believed that the project of the building was prepared by a talented student of Rastrelli, so it turned out to be majestic and beautiful.
The Kaluga temple has always been rich, there was enough money for repairs, painting and the purchase of new icons. In 1824, two side-altars appeared near the refectory - Nikolsky and Kosmo-Damianinsky, and at the end of the 19th century new gilded iconostases were installed in them.
View of the Church of Cosmas and Damian from the square to the wars of internationalists
In 1926, the rector and minister of the church was accused of agitation against the Soviet regime and sent into exile. During the anti-religious campaign, the church was closed. The vacated premises were turned into a prison where prisoners were kept.
After the war, the building housed garages and warehouses. Then the temple was recognized as a monument of history and culture, and in 1992 it was returned to believers.
View of the Church of Cosmas and Damian from Suvorov Street
Architectural features and interiors
The old church makes a strong impression. It is distinguished from other temples in Kaluga by its grace and consistency of forms. In proportions and decoration, the best traditions of classicism and baroque are guessed. The rounded turrets directed upwards look like the best buildings of the famous architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
In plan, the temple resembles a ship. The main volume is made in the form of interconnected semicircles. The side entrances are decorated with high portals and pairs of slender columns. The four-tiered bell tower is connected to the church by a porch.
View of the bell tower of the Church of Cosmas and Damian
Useful information for tourists
The parish church is open to everyone. Believers come here for daily services, and connoisseurs of architecture to admire the picturesque frescoes and mosaics. Of the old icons, the image of St. Nicholas, which was painted in the 18th century, has been preserved.
The church has two Sunday schools - for children and adults. There are no special tours for tourists. In the courtyard, in front of the southern facade, you can see a monument to the soldiers who died in Afghanistan, Chechnya and other hot spots.
How to get there
The church stands on the street. Suvorov, 177, in the historical part of Kaluga. From the railway station and bus station, take a bus, trolleybus and minibus that go to Victory Square. From there you can walk 2-3 minutes to the temple.
Information sources:
- Wikipedia, Church of Cosmas and Damian (Kaluga)
- Temple of Saints Cosmas and Damian
- Cathedrals.ru, Church of Cosmas and Damian
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