Church of St. Nicholas „Ratny“, church building in Kashira, Russia
Church of St. Nicholas Ratny is a stone building constructed in the second half of the 16th century located in the southwest part of the Kazan Kremlin. The structure features thick walls built from large limestone blocks stacked in two layers, a western nave, and an eastern altar space with design elements characteristic of Novgorod churches.
The building was constructed in the second half of the 16th century using stones from the Volga River and served as a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. A major fire severely damaged it in 1815, destroying the dome, after which architect A. Schmidt led reconstruction efforts that included new interior vaults and later the addition of a chapel dedicated to Saint John Climacus in 1820.
The church was dedicated to Saint Nicholas and drew visitors primarily from the local garrison soldiers and community. The veneration of the saint as a miracle worker shaped religious life in this part of the fortress.
The building is located in the southwest part of the Kazan Kremlin and is connected to the fortress wall towers, making it easy to visit alongside other fortress sites. Visitors should note that the church is no longer used for services but stands as an open monument accessible for viewing.
The original dome was removed during the Soviet era and no longer exists, but restoration work in the 1990s led by architect G. Gayazov carefully preserved the original stone vaults and support columns from the 16th century. This preservation allows visitors to directly see the early construction techniques and features from that period.
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