Katholikon of the Antoniev Monastery, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Veliky Novgorod, Russia
The Katholikon is an Eastern Orthodox church in Veliky Novgorod with three tall apses and a central dome. The building features red ochre drawings on its tower staircase walls and contains a separate chapel dedicated to Saints Onuphrius and Peter of Mount Athos.
Construction of the church began in 1117 under Saint Anthony and was consecrated in 1119 by the Bishop of Novgorod. This early foundation made it one of the oldest religious buildings in the region and shaped its role as a spiritual center.
The church walls display remaining paint and decorative patterns from centuries ago that visitors can still see today. These old artworks show how people once decorated their sacred spaces and valued beauty in worship.
The site is accessible for visitors to explore the church interior and view its various spaces. Comfortable shoes are advisable since walking through the historic building involves uneven floors typical of ancient structures.
The building is one of only three surviving structures from ancient Rus times that still stands today, offering a rare glimpse into how people built in that distant period. Its survival over so many centuries makes it an exceptional example of that era's construction methods.
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