Church of the Transfiguration (Moscow)

 interesting place, 1830s construction, 1904_construction, 1790s construction, Russian Orthodox Church, 17th century construction, object of cultural heritage of federal importance (Russia), 1810s construction, Orthodox church

The yellow and white neo-classical Church of the Transfiguration, sometimes called by the name of one of its chapels, Church of the Virgin of All Sorrows (Bogomateri vsekh skorbyashchikh radost'). The wealthy Dolgov family who lived across the street commissioned the ensemble. Originally the neo-classical complex, including the church, refectory and belfry, was designed and built by Vasily Bazhenov in 1783-1791 to replace a medieval church on the same site. The refectory is noteworthy for Ionic columned portico, circular windows and rounded corners. More unusual is the three-tiered, round bell tower.

Unfortunately, the church and refectory were severely damaged in the fires of 1812. Osip Bove, the architect heading the Commission for the Rebuilding of Moscow, designed the new church. Construction did not begin until the 1830s, after the architect's death, and was finished in 1836 under the supervision of his brother. Ionic porticos on either side balance the Empire-style rotunda and dome, which stick out onto the sidewalk, nicely. Circular shapes are repeated in the cornice friezes and fan windows of the facade and dome. Doric pilasters whose decorative platbands echo the round motif frame the rectangular windows of the main level.

The interior of the church is noteworthy for its choir, patterned iron plate flooring, numerous large windows, and unusual iconostasis, which is surrounded by an Ionic colonnade and sculptured angels. The Icon of the Virgin of All Sorrows hangs near the left aisle. The bells were removed from the tower in 1922 during a Soviet period of "withdrawal of values" although the church remained open until 1933. Members of the church tried to keep the interior furnishings intact until the church was reopened and reconsecrated in 1948.