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The last architectural monument that the
Novgorod princes built was the little church of the Savior at Nereditse, near
the palace at Gorodishche. It was built by Prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich, the
only son of Vladimir Mstislavich, prince of Pskov in 1198. Very modest in
comparison to the imposing cathedrals and churches that were built by Riurik
descendants; for the church reflects the downfall of the importance of Novgorod
princes. Instead of six now there are only four piers that carry the single
cupola, giving the church a cubic shape. The piers are no longer in a cruciform
section, but in a simple square. They divide the church into a nave and two
aisles all ending in apses at the east side. Vertical projections on the inside
walls have disappeared, but they are preserved outside and they continue to
divide the walls into three (vertical divisions) panels that end on the top in
semicircular blind arches. Instead of five or three cupolas that crowned
earlier churches, now there is only one, and Novgorod will not see more until
the beginning of the 16th century. The large staircase tower leading to the
galleries was replaced with a very narrow staircase built inside the thick
right-side western wall, and the gallery itself was reduced to the central part
of the western wall, resting now not on vaults but on wooden beams. Unfinished
primitive work, thick and irregular walls and asymmetric disposition of narrow
windows, give the impression that the church was built not by professionals but
by amateur builders. There is little space for worshipers and little of the
splendor that was so characteristic of Novgorod's princely cathedrals built
earlier . The little church of the Savior at Nereditsa was not the first to be
built this way, but it often served as a model for the simple and modest
churches of boyars and rich merchants. The entire interior of the church was
covered with frescoes painted immediately after the completion of the edifice.
Most of the saints looked as if they were selected from the people of Novgorod,
particularly because their faces and their beards were alike. It appears that
the frescoes were never repainted and they were well preserved. As such they
were a unique collection and could have served today as a vivid example of how
12th century Russian churches were decorated, and how frescoes subjects were
distributed on all four walls. During the Second World War the church was
completely destroyed by German artillery. It was rebuilt in 1955 in accordance
with its previous dimensions and shapes to serve as a fine example of
Novgorod's late 12th century architecture. There were many churches in Novgorod
and around the city that were built in the second half of the 12th and the 13th
centuries which resemble the church of the Savior at Nereditsa. Some of them
differ slightly with their square apses or semi-basket like vault features,
that Novgorod adopted from Smolensk architecture, but most of them were rebuilt
a few centuries later, with the foundation or eventually only the lower part
preserved from the original construction. See photos of Novgorod.
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