Yaroslavl, Russia, December 27, 2019
Photo: yarregion.ru
The 17th-century Church of St. John the Baptist in Tolchkov, one of the enduring symbols of the ancient city of Yaroslavl, will soon undergo some much-needed restoration at the initiative of the Provincial Governor Dmitry Mironov, the regional government reported on Wednesday.
It is the only 15-domed church in Russia.
“This is a recognized monument of world significance and the only 15-domed church in the country. Its picture is on the 1000-ruble note of the Bank of Russia. During its construction, all known methods at that time of decorating stone buildings were used: figured brick, polychrome tiles, polychrome coloring, gilded slotted valances,” commented the Director of the Regional Department of the Protection of Cultural Heritage Alexander Filyaev.
Photo: yarregion.ru
He also noted that there are about 3,000 themes in the frescoes in the church—perhaps the largest in the Orthodox world.
Natural surveys have already been carried out, as well as the study of the state of materials of the architectural and decorative elements of the fencing. In the near future, a temporary construction fence will be built and the building will be illuminated.
Photo: yarregion.ru
“Work is planned on all objects that are part of the ensemble, in particular, on the restoration of the unique frescoes of the central church. They were made in record time—from 1694 to 1695, by a team of 16 Yaroslavl masters. The fence will also be reconstructed and restored. The formation of draft documentation for this work will be completed in the first quarter of 2020,” the authorities report.
