Kaluga occupies one of the leading places among the most popular tourist destinations in Russia. There are many unique and magnificent temples in this ancient city. Below is a description of the most significant and beautiful Kaluga churches.
Church of Cosmas and Damian in Kaluga
Kosmodamian's Church is located on Suvorov Street. Built in 1794 in the Baroque style, it compares favorably with its exquisite architecture from other churches in the city.
The church was built with public money, and cost parishioners 70 thousand silver rubles. At that time it was the largest and most expensive temple in the city, built under the guidance of one of the students of the famous V. Rastrelli.
In 1937, the church of Cosmas and Damian was closed and converted into a prison. The temple was returned to the Kaluga diocese in 1992. The church has two Sunday schools and regular services.
Savior Transfiguration Church of Kaluga
At the entrance to the city on Smolenskaya Street is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The stone temple was built in 1700, instead of the one standing herewooden church. Money for the construction was collected by the whole world, but the main contributor was Princess Natalya Alekseevna.
The bell tower was added to the temple in 1802. The church is very beautiful both outside and inside. Due to the fact that she was on the banks of the Oka in the center of the city port and was the face of Kaluga on the Moscow-Kyiv road, no money was spared for its maintenance until 1917.
In Soviet times, the interior of the temple was destroyed and desecrated. Only in 1993, the church returned to the Kaluga diocese and became the courtyard of the St. Pafnutiev Monastery.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Its construction began in 1786 on the personal order of Catherine II. The cathedral was built in the style of classicism, with the first unsupported dome in Russia, made on the example of Byzantine churches.
Three Kaluga clergymen are buried inside the church: Bishop Evlampiy, Bishop Nikolai and Archbishop Grigory. In 1888, the city authorities allocated funds for the improvement of the square located near the church. In the same year, Grand Duke Vladimir and his wife visited Kaluga. In honor of this significant event, the square was named Vladimirsky.
After the revolution, the temple was used for various purposes. Only in 1991, in a deplorable state, the church was returned to believers.
Church of the Intercession "on the moat"
Another significant church of Kaluga is the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos “on the moat”. The temple is located on Marata Street and is recognized as the oldest stone buildingcities. The church was built on the site of the fortress moat in 1687, hence the name came from.
The temple resembles Moscow churches of the 17th century. Here was the revered icon of the Petrine Mother of God, which disappeared without a trace after the revolution.
Church of John the Baptist
The temple was erected in 1735, but later suffered from a fire, and was restored only in 1763 through the efforts of priest Popov and local parishioners. This is another significant church of Kaluga, the architectural appearance of which is known to every city dweller.
The interior painting of the temple is a copy of the painting of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv. Unfortunately, the unique painting was lost during the Soviet era. In the photo of the church in Kaluga, you can see the festive painting and golden stars on the blue domes that are different from other churches.
