The Russian Architectural styles

The architecture style of Russia, now refers to the architecture of “modern” Russia, as well as the architecture of the original Kievan Rus’, the Russian Principalities, and Imperial Russia. Because of its geographical size of Imperial & modern Russia, typically refers to the architectural style built in European Russia, as well as some European influenced architectural style, in the conquered territories of the 3 empires.

The vernacular architectural stems from elegant wooden construction traditions and monumental masonry builds started to make appearances during the Kievan Rus’ era, what is now known as modern Ukraine, after the Mongol invasion of Rus, the architectural trajectory of Russia continued in the Novgorod principalities, Vladmir-Suzdal, Pskov, Muscovy, and the states of the Tsardom of Russia. I think that’s awesome.

Many of the early, standing architectural tradition in Russia stems from influences and styles from foreign countries. Among the characteristics that are present in the Russian style, are the Byzantine revival style of the Kievan Rus’ , and principalities’ churches, the Muscovite style, neoclassical, baroque, eclecticism, art nouveau, also the signature styles of the Soviet period.

A few examples of the early times of Muscovite stone crunches still remain in Moscow, also early examples are found more frequently in surrounding towns. One specific place is the small village of Kamenskoe, whose limestone church is dated to the latter half of the 14th century. It’s a simpler style, other than other churches commissioned in the same century, and it has only been partially restored, since the start of its construction. The style’s cornice is presumed to have culminated originally in decorative point zakomary, the interior shows features of the Balkan architecture, also showing Serbian influence prevalent in Muscovite & Rus architectural styles of this period, like piers attached to the interior corners, rather than them standing freely. The designs are just extraordinary!

Some larger examples of these lead to early Muscovite churches appearing in Zvenigorod, about 60 km west of Moscow. Records place Zvenigorod under the domain of Muscovite in the 14th century, and the end of the domain, Iurii endowed it with an elegant monastery to be under of the monk Savva, it’s the Savvino-Storozhevskii Monastery, & the town centre was made alongside its construction.

Cathedrals built in this monastery show one depart from the pre-Mongolian stone churches built by Vladimir, it’s of a simple design many repeating motifs and one departure from the different styles of ornamentation. This style is marked by pointed forms as opposed to zakomary & rounded arches, and a great tendency to ornamentalism. The Zvenigorod cathedrals would serve as prototypes for many churches in the 15th century.