Znamenskaya Church is the most famous and popular attraction of Dubrovitsy near Moscow. It is known for its unusual dome, because of the unconventional look, the temple was refused to be illuminated. He contradicted all church canons.
The Church of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos in Dubrovitsy can be confidently called the most unusual temple in the Moscow region. It is made of white stone, located on the banks of the Desna and Pakhra cape in the Dubrovitsy estate. Construction began in 1690 and lasted 14 years. It is still not known exactly why the owner of the estate decided to build an unusual church. There is a version that foreign masters from four countries participated in the development of the project of the temple and its implementation. Prince Boris Golitsyn (it was he who owned the estate) specially ordered them for the construction of the church.
Compared to the temple, the manor house looks very modest and contrasts with the main attraction of Dubrovitsy.
The base is made in such a way that the walls of the temple form an equilateral cross with rounded ends, it is divided into three faces. If you look at the church from different angles, you can be convinced of this. The edges of the edges are decorated with columns with free-style Corinthian capitals.
The stairs are arranged on four sides, since the temple has four doors to enter.
White stone statues are installed at the main entrance and near the western staircase.
The dome has an unusual shape and resembles a crown with a cross; it is decorated with four-leafed lucarnes.
The temple can be viewed for hours, it is decorated with stone carvings and small sculptures. It is not surprising that the construction of the temple took 14 years. In the cold season, stone carvers worked in the barracks.
The temple has eight statues of the apostles (in addition to those installed at the entrance), which divide the edges of the octagon at the corners.
Unfortunately, not all sculptures have been completely preserved, the temple is in an unsatisfactory condition.
The church is located on a high foundation, which is surrounded by a high porch and decorated with stone carvings and ornaments along the parapet. Four statues of the apostles are located under the windows of the temple, but they are partially preserved. Some of them began to deteriorate over time and become covered with moss.
On the walls of the church you can see a combination of various ornaments, most often plant ones. Bunches of grapes are depicted on a high foundation, and a little higher are flowers and various fruits.
The style in which the temple is made is called the Golitsyn Baroque, inside the church is decorated with high relief compositions, carved baroque iconostasis and choirs. In 1870, Latin inscriptions placed on cartouches were transferred to the manuscripts of Father Sergius Romansky, they are completely preserved.
The temple is active, you must follow the rules when visiting. Photo and video - filming is possible only with the permission of the abbot.
The Dubrovitsy estate is located in the Podolsk district, 6 km. from the station MCD-2 "Podolsk".
