Znamenskaya Church

The church rises at the place where the Pakhra and Desna rivers meet, with an octagonal tower of white stone ending in a gilded metal crown. The floor plan consists of twelve rounded lobes grouped around the center, creating an unusual shape.

Prince Boris Golitsyn, who served as mentor to Peter the Great, ordered construction to begin in 1690. The consecration took place in 1704 with the tsar in attendance, marking the completion of work after more than a decade.

The inscriptions on panels inside show biblical episodes with Latin text, pointing to a connection between Russian Orthodoxy and Western European influences. Visitors see many stone figures of saints and angels outside, marking the building as a place of veneration.

Liturgical services such as baptisms, weddings, and memorial rites continue to take place and are organized by the resident priest. It is advisable to get in touch beforehand to learn about current times and gain access to the interior.

The floor plan with twelve petal-like curves departs clearly from the typical Russian church forms of the late 17th century. This design combines elements from Western and Eastern architecture in a way that had hardly any parallels at the time of its creation.

Location: Dubrovitsy

Inception: 1690

Architectural style: Golitsyn Baroque

Part of: Dubrovitsy Estate

Website: http://dubrovitsy-hram.ru

GPS coordinates: 55.44130,37.49441

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:30