Church of Saint Nicholas in Novaya Sloboda, Eastern Orthodox church in Tverskoy District, Moscow, Russia
The Church of Saint Nicholas in Novaya Sloboda is an Eastern Orthodox church in the Tverskoy District of Moscow, notable for its unusual mix of Russian Revival and Stalinist architectural elements. The building has several domes, ornate exterior walls, and a wide main nave that was substantially enlarged during 20th-century renovation work.
The church is first recorded in 1501, making it one of the oldest surviving houses of worship in Moscow. In the 20th century it was heavily rebuilt, with a new nave in the Stalinist style attached to the older structure.
The name Novaya Sloboda refers to a historic settlement that once housed craftsmen and traders near this church. Today, visitors attending a Sunday service can hear traditional Orthodox choral singing, which remains central to worship here.
The church is in the central Tverskoy District and easy to reach on foot or by metro from the city center. As an active place of worship, visitors are expected to dress modestly and behave quietly inside.
The church remained open for worship during the Soviet period, which was rare for Moscow churches at the time, yet it was heavily altered to accommodate a new nave built in a completely different style. The old and new sections are still visible from outside, as they differ in brick color and height.
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