Before and After: The Amazing Restoration of Russia's Churches and Cultural Heritage
Ruined churches that were painful to look at only recently now bloom with incredible beauty, thanks to many years of hard restoration work
Try and estimate the results of this work of nine of the most important houses of worship of the Russian Orthodox Church, the cultural heritage sites which underwent a complex of restoration works. Compare what they looked like back then to what they look like now.
The Cathedral of the Life-Giving Trinity of Holy Prince Vladimir Monastery
The Ministry of Culture began financing the restoration works in 2007. For more than 169 million rubles, The restoration of brickwork, dome drum, white-stone decorations, roofing works, the restoration of façade, doorstep, metal parts, the restoration of the floor and interiors of the church has been carried out.
Before the restoration:
After the restoration:
The Don Нost Cathedral of the Ascension – the shrine of heroes of the Patriotic War 1812
Here lie the heroes of the Patriotic War: Platov Mathew Ivanovich (1753-1818), Orlov-Denisov Vasily Vasilyevich (1755-1843), Efremov Ivan Efremovich (1774-1843)
The Rostov Region, the town of Novocherkassk, Ermak sq., bl. 2
The Ministry of Culture began financing the restoration works in 2007. Consecration of the church after the major restoration works of the upper church, mural painting and iconostasis was finished. More than 1 billion rubles were invested in the restoration projects.
Before the restoration:
After the restoration:
The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra
The Moscow Region, town of Sergiev Posad.
Massive restoration projects have been carried out since 2012. More than 4 billion rubles were spent on the complex restoration works (the restoration of facades, roof, ambulatories, paintings, and iconostases).
The Ascension Cathedral of Jerusalem Stavropegic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Moscow Region, Leninsky District, the settlement of Lukino.
The Ministry of Culture has been financing the restoration works since 2010. More than 79 million rubles have been invested in the renewal projects. The foundation, roof of facades, pedestal, iconostasis, and interior decoration were restored.
Before the restoration:
After the restoration:
Nikolo-Berlyuki Bell Tower
The Moscow Region, Noginsky District.
The Ministry of Culture began financing the restoration works in 2013. Over 118 million rubles were allocated. The facades and bell tower interiors, hinge of bells, staircase, and gates were restored.
Before the restoration:
After the restoration:
The Church of Joy of All Who Sorrow of Dalmatov Monastery
The Kurgan Region.
The Ministry of Culture started financing the restoration works in 2007, contributing more than 60 million rubles. A complete complex of restoration works was carried out: the restoration of the roof, foundations, facades, interiors, window and door furniture, metal constructions and parts.
Before the restoration:
After the restoration:
The Cheremenetsky Monastery of St. John the Theologian
The Leningrad Region.
The Ministry of Culture financed the restoration works beginning in 2008, allocating more than 151 million rubles. A complete complex of restoration works was conducted: the restoration of foundations, facades, wooden constructions and parts, brickwork, roof, window and door furniture, and interiors.
Before the restoration:
After the restoration:
The Vladimirskaya Church, 1799
The Lipetsk Region, Dankovsky District, the village of Balovnevo.
The Ministry of Culture began financing the restoration works in 2007. More than 315 million rubles were allocated. Emergency and restoration works were carried out on the façades, interiors, window and door furniture, adjustment of engineering systems and electrical equipment.
Before the restoration:
After the restoration:
The Church of Three Saints
The Kurgan Region, the Shumikhinsky District, the village of Karachelskoye.
The Ministry of Culture started financing the restoration works in 2013. More than 60 million rubles were allocated. A complete complex of restoration works was carried out: the restoration of foundations, roof, facades, interiors, metal constructions and parts, window and door furniture, and iconostases.
This information was provided by the Department of Cultural Heritage Sites Restoration of the Department of Property Management and Investment Policy of the Ministry of Culture of Russia.
Before the restoration:
In progress:
After the restoration:
Thank you for sharing this. I think those photos capture the difference between west and East, with the west's decadence and moral decline, and the resurgence of Russia rebuilding through its faith. God rewards and protects His people!
Glory to the Almighty! His people shall be blessed.