Before The Storm is a photograph by Elena Nosyreva which was uploaded on July 6th, 2013.
Title
Before The Storm
Artist
Elena Nosyreva
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Suzdal is a historic small town east of Moscow, Russia.
Walking through the town one might get the feeling that every third building is a church. So, what’s with all the churches? Suzdal’s grandest and oldest churches were built by princes to awe their subjects and repel invaders. In many instances, these buildings actually served as fortresses, where people took shelter when under siege. In other parts of medieval Russia, architects preferred to build in wood or brick, but for unknown reasons, the princes in Suzdal insisted on sturdy limestone, though it was much more expensive, difficult to work with and had to be carted from quarries about 250 miles away.
When Suzdal was no longer politically important, it became a thriving commercial center. Merchants would build wooden churches in pairs - one light and airy for the summer, one squat and easy to heat in the winter. Every street had its own pair, and building grand churches became a contest and a source of pride and prestige for the wealthy businessmen. That’s why everywhere you look is a beautiful old church.
Vhodo-Jerusalem church, original photography by Elena Nosyreva.
© All copyrights reserved by Elena Nosyreva. 2013.
Uploaded
July 6th, 2013
