the Mirozhsky Monastery of Our Saviour's Transfiguration (Pskov)

www.pskovcity.ru/mon_mir.htm (Russian) This is one of the oldest cloisters of the Pskov Region, if not THE oldest one. It is believed to be built in the 12th century by Nyphontus the Archbishop of Pskov at the confluence of rivers Velikaya and Mirozha (now Mirozhka, the deminitive suffix stressing the fact that it is now but a small rivulet). From its early days, the monastery was known for its library and scriptorium with talented scribes and illuminators, and an icon-painting workshop. In 1922 the monastery was closed down by the Bolsheviks.

The Transfiguration (1156 was probably the city's first stone church with murals. Following the Bysantian tradition, it is cross-shaped in plan (though in the 18th AD it was reshaped from the outside, yet inside the cross-shape was preserved). A two-tier bell-wall was built in late 16th c. The cathedral was built of local limestone, with red brick layers. The bricks bear the sign of the cross - also a Greek tradirion; this (and other features) makes the scientists believe that the cathedral was built by Greek and Novgorod architects.

Yet what the monastery is famous for is its murals; this is the biggest "collection" of frescoes of the pre-Mongolian period of Russia, which gave birth to the Pskov icon school and to the Pskov monumental art tradition. Yet, in the 15th AD the frescoes were whitewash-painted over. In fact, this saved them; for an example, in the Faceted Hall of the Moscow Kremlin, the frescoes were scrubbed off by order of Peter the Great. In late 19th c., the murals were cleaned and restored by icon-painters from Palekh. In 1969, another restoration started, now based on scientific research, and after 14 years the murals were opened for the public. To preserve them, in rainy weather or at the time of high humidity there's no admittance to the frescoes.

Among the best frescoes there are Ascention with Christ sitting on a rainbow, Prophets, Saviour Enthroned, Apostles, Transfiguration, Crucifiction, Baptizing, Lasarus' Resurrection and, perhaps the best one, - the Annunciation.

In the monastery, there is also an interesting, ark-shaped building comprized of the Church of St.Stephan the Archidiakonos (17th AD), brothers' cells (1789), New Gate (1840s) and belfry (1870s).

Across the bridge, one cannot help to notice Armageddonian ruins - the unfinished Young Pioneers' Palace.