The symbol of Russian Orthodoxy, unsinkable, unbroken, stands in the middle of the water surface of the Nikolsk bell tower. She has become not only a symbol of Kalyazin, she is considered the image of the Russian Orthodox Church, able to resist despite the trials.
Unfortunately, the cathedral to which the bell tower belonged could not stand, it was dismantled on a stone before flooding. A high and early flood saved the bell tower. They couldn’t get to her. Now it stands bent, but not broken, attracting believers and tourists.
Nikolskaya Sloboda appeared on the banks of the river Zabna at the confluence of the Volga, in the 12th century. Trade people from Novgorod made a transshipment point here. They also built a wooden church and dedicated it to Nicholas the Pleasant. How many things did that church go through? It was burned three times by the Mongols and once by the Poles. Time and time again, they built a temple in honor of their
patron saint, St. Nicholas. In 1694, a stone temple was built on the site of a wooden temple.
The temple was painted, richly decorated on the outside. The floor is lined with cast iron slabs. The main shrines of the temple were the icons of Nicholas the Pleasant and the Mother of God “Recovery of the Dead”.
In 1794, parishioners began to raise funds for the construction of a bell tower. The result was great. In 1800 the bell tower was ready. They built master serfs of the local landowner. The building was built in 5 tiers, almost 75 meters high. Brick also made themselves, connecting a strong solution. The top of the bell tower was covered with tin, and the cross and apple were gilded. The walls were painted with light green paint, and the columns and eaves were painted white.
There are 11 bells in the bell tower. The oldest was cast in the 18th century in the Urals. It weighed just under a ton. The largest bell weighed 8 tons. The bell ringing sounded over the Volga far beyond the Nikolskaya Sloboda.
Alas, the new government treated the churches no worse than the invaders. When it turned out that during the construction of the HPP Nikolsky Cathedral falls into the flood zone, no one paid any attention to the feelings of believers or the historical value of the building. They just destroyed it. The bell tower miraculously survived, and the locals see in this the intercession of Nicholas.
Pleasant.
In 1980, an artificial island was built around the building to strengthen the foundation, but the years are taking their toll. Water destroys cement, washes away bricks. Now in Kalyazin has its own inclined tower. Nikolsk bell tower in danger, but lives, does not give up. In 2016, it was installed 6 bells and still floats over the Volga bell ringing, instilling hope for the best.
Charitable Foundation Holy Land
Russian Temples and Monasteries
