ANCIENT ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENT OF BELGOROD «USPENSKO-NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL” 1692–1703, – FIRST HALF OF THE XIX

This article highlights the history of construction the most ancient in the Belgorod region Russian Orthodox Uspensko-Nicholas Cathedral, which has survived to the present day. Bibliographic information relating to the history and time of church construction, erected in the era of Moscow baroque – a new style in the architecture of Moscow region of the late XVII – early XVIII centuries, is given. This style is characterized by consistency in the mass ratio, the pomp of white-stone decor, in which the ornamental and order elements of Western European baroque –- cartouches, “torn” pediments, columns and pilasters with plant capitals – are peculiarly interpreted. The location of the Cathedral is described. It is built in the former residential settlement Zhiloy, located to the west of Belgorod, constructed according to the general plan of 1768 by architect A.V. Kvasov after the fire of 1766. In addition, the modern urban situation of the cathedral’s location in the structure of modern urban development is presented. Historical planning frame is considered. The space-planning and space-spatial solution of the cathedral church in historical chronology, as well as constructive solutions of the cathedral’s octagon on cube, bell tower and two-column refectory, built in the first half of the XIX century, the decorative design of the facades and interiors are analyzed. The main construction stages of the church from its creation to the restoration works carried out in 2005 are considered. Strengthening and restoration on the preservation of cultural heritage are described. Cartographic material, plans building at different construction stages, archival and modern photographs of the exteriors and interiors, both during and after the restoration process, are given.