Cathedral Square of Belgorod: history of its origin
Cathedral Square in Belgorod has changed several names over its history. It was first mentioned in the 17th century. At that time the square was called Bolshoi. From 1932 to 2004 it was called Revolution Square. But by decision of the municipal authorities, its historical name was returned - Cathedral Square. In this regard, the question arises: why Sobornaya? Because currently there is not a single cathedral on the square. It turns out that the Nativity of the Virgin Mary convent used to be located on this site. It was founded back in 1622 and existed until 1923, when the Soviet government took away the building from the monastery for a workers' dormitory. Later in the 1950s, all dilapidated buildings were demolished. But already in 1962, on the site of the monastery, the building of the regional drama theater named after M.S. Shchepkina.
About Belgorod
City Day is celebrated on August 5, on this day in 1943 Belgorod was liberated from the Nazi invaders. In 1954, after the formation of the region, Belgorod became its administrative center. The territory of the city is 153.1 square meters. km. The city's population is 357.7 thousand people, representing about 100 nationalities.
For the courage and fortitude shown by Belgorod residents during the Great Patriotic War, and for success in economic and cultural life, on April 9, 1980, the regional center was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.
On April 27, 2007, the President of the Russian Federation signed a Decree conferring the honorary title “City of Military Glory” on Belgorod.
The main strategic goal of the socio-economic development of Belgorod for the long term is to improve the quality of life of citizens. By the decision of the Council of Deputies of the city of Belgorod on January 30, 2007, the following were approved: the Development Strategy of the city of Belgorod until 2025 and the action plan of local governments for 2012–2016, which involve improving the well-being of residents and the formation of a solidary civil society.
To achieve the main strategic goal, the implementation of three main strategic directions is planned:
- ensuring sustainable development of the city;
- investment in people;
- development of local self-government.
Climate
The climate of Belgorod is temperate continental, with hot, dry summers and changeable, cool winters. Winter is moderately frosty, there are often thaws accompanied by rain (especially in December), and quite often there are temperature drops below −20 °C, which can last up to a week or more. Summer is warm, and in some years it is rainy or dry. Autumn is mild and rainy. The Belgorod Reservoir is covered with ice in late November - early December, while the spring ice drift lasts from March to April.
- Average annual air temperature: + 7.7 °C
- Average annual air humidity: 76%
- Average annual wind speed: 5–7 m/s
- The average annual precipitation is 480–550 mm, mainly in summer.
Relief
The city of Belgorod is located in the forest-steppe zone, in the black earth zone. The relief of the city's territory is of erosive origin and is an undulating plain generally elevated almost 200 meters above sea level and noticeably inclined from north to south.
Geographical characteristics
The city is located on the slope of the so-called White Mountain, in the floodplain of the Seversky Donets tributary of the Vezelka River. 5 rivers flow through the territory: Seversky Donets, Vezelka, Gostenka, Razumnaya, Nizhegorodka. There are also 5 ponds in the city, which are currently classified as specially protected natural areas of local importance.
Cathedral Square of Belgorod: description
Cathedral Square is located in the very center of Belgorod. For this reason, all important city events and activities take place there. It is also worth saying that Cathedral Square is a pedestrian zone.
When I first looked at Cathedral Square, I was struck by its multi-colored paving stones.
The center of the square is decorated with an image of the sun. Inside there is a round medallion depicting a map of the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod region. In addition, the central medallion is surrounded by square relief images dedicated to the regions of the Belgorod region. Their number is 21 according to the number of districts.
Cathedral Square of Belgorod: architectural ensemble
The Cathedral Square of Belgorod surprised me with the variety of architectural buildings. In my opinion, they deservedly represent the sights of Belgorod.
Hotel Belgorod
The first thing that appeared to my eyes upon arrival at Cathedral Square was the Belgorod Hotel. And this is not surprising, since I arrived here late in the evening by taxi with the goal of checking into a hotel.
The Stalinist building turned out to be very beautiful. The inside of the hotel also made a very favorable impression on me. But I was absolutely happy when I looked at the view from the window of my room onto Cathedral Square.
It is worth noting that the Belgorod hotel is the calling card of the city. Even though her building has undergone a modern renovation, she still managed to retain the flavor of its era.
Holy Trinity Boulevard
Next to the Belgorod hotel is the Holy Trinity Boulevard. It received its current name in 2004 in honor of the Holy Trinity Monastery destroyed during Soviet times. Until that time, it was called Lenin Avenue. Since the boulevard is very conveniently located next to the city square, it is not surprising that it has become a favorite vacation spot for residents and guests of the city. Undoubtedly, the brightest decoration of the boulevard is the Eternal Flame memorial.
Belgorod Region Government Building
Due to the fact that Cathedral Square of Belgorod is the main city square, it is quite logical that the building of the Government of the Belgorod Region is located on it.
It looks quite monumental.
Previously, there was a monument to V.I. Lenin in front of it. But in 2013, a monument-stele “City of Military Glory” was erected in its place.
It is worth saying that Belgorod was the first city in Russia, which, according to a presidential decree, was awarded the title “City of Military Glory” in 2007. In the center of the composition we see a stone obelisk with a bronze eagle on top. And around the obelisk there are four steles with bas-reliefs, which depict historical events of the city of Belgorod.
Belgorod Drama Theater named after M.S. Shchepkina
In my opinion, the most beautiful attraction of Belgorod Cathedral Square is the Belgorod Drama Theater named after M.S. Shchepkina.
The theater building was built in 1962. Its façade is decorated with eight columns decorated with a portico. And the top of the theater is crowned with a sculpture of the muse Melpomene. It is worth noting that next to the theater there is a monument to Mikhail Shchepkin, in whose honor it received its name.
This is what the theater looks like at night.
In addition, next to the theater there is a Chapel in honor of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir. It was consecrated quite recently in 2015 and, in my opinion, looks very harmonious next to the theater.
Civil Prospect
It is worth noting that Belgorod’s Cathedral Square is the end of Civil Avenue, which originates at Vokzalnaya Square. I managed to walk along Civil Avenue twice. Once during the day and once at night. And I would like to say that this walk gave me great pleasure. After all, on my way I met many beautiful architectural buildings and monuments.
For example, while walking along Grazhdansky Avenue, you can visit the Smolensky Cathedral.
Or from the avenue you can go to the City Garden and visit the alley of Belgorod’s sister cities.
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Sights of Belgorod. Cathedral Square
Every year on August 5, Belgorod hosts City Day.
The date of the holiday was not chosen by chance. It was on August 5, 1943 that the city was liberated from the Nazi invaders. I was lucky enough to visit Belgorod several times. And today I want to talk about one of the city’s attractions – Cathedral Square.
Click on the photos and they will open in larger format.
Cathedral Square is considered the main square of Belgorod. It was founded back in the 17th century and was called Bolshoi. In the thirties of the last century it was renamed Revolution Square. And only in 2004 the square began to be called Cathedral.
There is absolutely no need to open a guidebook or reference book to find out about this. On Cathedral Square there is a stone with an embedded disk on which this information is engraved.
The square amazes with both its size and its beauty. A huge multi-petal flower is tiled in the center.
In there is a copper circle. In the circle is a schematic image of the Belgorod region and the date of its creation . Please note that cardinal directions are also indicated. It is quite possible that the circle serves as the so-called “zero kilometer” for Belgorod. You can read about what zero kilometer is in the essay “Post Kaleidoscope”.
The symbolic “flower” in the center of the square is inscribed in a kind of square. The sides of this square are slabs that symbolize the regions of the Belgorod region . The name of the district is indicated on each plate and its administrative center is marked on the diagram.
On Cathedral Square there is a huge five-story building in which the Government of the Belgorod Region works.
There is a small park right in front of the building's entrance. Previously, there was a monument to V.I. Lenin there. In 2013, the “City of Military Glory” .
The previous photo clearly shows that there are bas-reliefs . They reflect episodes from the military history of Belgorod.
As a former history teacher, it was very interesting for me to look at the bas-reliefs. There are no inscriptions, but you understand perfectly well what we are talking about.
In the photo on the left is the famous Battle of Poltava , “Battle of Poltava”, in which two Belgorod regiments took part, infantry and dragoon. And in the photo on the right is the no less famous tank battle on the Kursk Bulge during the Great Patriotic War.
The stele is crowned with a double-headed eagle with a scepter and orb. On one of the sides of the pedestal there is an embossed coat of arms of the city - a lion and an eagle flying above it.
Belgorod became the first Soviet city to receive the title "City of Military Glory" . And it is no coincidence that here, on Cathedral Square, at the very beginning of the Holy Trinity Boulevard, the Eternal Flame .
Between the Eternal Flame and the regional government building there is the Belgorod Hotel . Every time we go to Belgorod, we always stop there. The location of the hotel, the range of services, and prices suit everything.
Opposite the Government building is the Belgorod State Drama Theater named after. M.S. Shchepkina . The theater building was built in 1962 and its architecture resembles an ancient Greek temple. Columns with the Corinthian order in imitation of the Greek portico. Image of a lyre on the pediment. And, like the icing on the cake, a statue of Melpomene, the muse of the theater.
Nearby there is a monument to M.S. Shchepkin, whose name the theater bears. Initially, the monument was installed in another place, and then it was moved to the theater building on Cathedral Square.
There are two more attractions near the theater building. In the photo on the left is a chapel in honor of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir . It was built on the site of a convent that once existed here. Naturally, there was a cathedral on the territory of the monastery, which is why the square was called Cathedral.
And in the photo on the right is a monument in Theater Square. Officially, the composition is called “Memory,” but everyone simply calls it “Grandma .
Celebrations and parades take place on Cathedral Square. In 2021, we arrived in Belgorod on the morning of May 9. From the Belgorod Hotel one could clearly see the military parade and the procession of the Immortal Regiment.
During the Great Patriotic War, the first fireworks in honor of the liberation from Nazi troops were given in two cities lying on the Kursk Bulge - in Belgorod and Orel. So the city rightfully bears the honorary title “City of the First Fireworks” . Every year on August 5, Belgorod residents have a fireworks display. Where? Of course, on Cathedral Square!
Happy holiday, dear Belgorod residents!
© Tatyana Trunova, August 2020
I advise you to read
- “You don’t have a single gray hair in your soul”: to Ivan Grigorievich Trunov - an essay about my uncle, who headed the Belgorod Regional Philharmonic for more than 40 years
Sights of Belgorod and Belgorod region
- "Masterslavl" - about the children's city of masters in Belgorod
- Prokhorovka: Russia's third battlefield - about the place where the largest tank battle of World War II took place
