The historical and cultural heritage of Crimea cannot be overestimated. The peninsula has made a significant contribution to the treasury of our country. Each of its towns and villages is known for its unique attractions. The wonderful resort of Alupka occupies a special, worthy place in this list, because on a tiny piece of land there are several world-famous architectural structures: the Vorontsov Palace, the Naryshkin estate and, of course, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. Alupka, as you can see, perfectly combines a serene beach holiday with educational excursions.
- Where is the church in Alupka?
- The complicated history of the formation of the shrine
- Church of the Archangel Michael during the Soviet period
- What is the Temple of St. Michael the Archangel interesting for tourists?
- How to get (get there) to the temple?
History of creation
They thought about building a temple in honor of the Archangel Michael at a time when there was only a functioning Muslim mosque in the city, but since Orthodox people also live in Crimea, they simply had nowhere to go to pray.
That is why in 1820 the first temple was erected with the money of the local count M. S. Vorontsov. Initially, the architecture of the structure was rectangular, the so-called peripterus, surrounded on all sides by a colonnade. However, the first temple was soon destroyed by a landslide and stood dilapidated.
Professor A. A. Bobrov decided to restore the Church of the Archangel Michael, and his initiative was supported by the townspeople. They began to rebuild the temple in a new location where there was no threat of collapse. The foundation was laid with stones from the first temple after fundraising on October 26, 1903.
Despite problems with financing and the complexity of construction (groundwater interfered with construction), in 1908, after five years of active construction, the Church of the Archangel Michael was erected. The dedication took place on November 8, 1908, and the church served actively for 20 years. With the advent of Soviet power, difficulties began: robbery, closure, a ban on worship, confiscation of valuables and a terrible earthquake.
Historical photo of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel
For 60 years, the Church of the Archangel Michael stood abandoned. Its last servants were repressed, and the building itself was used as a warehouse. Only in 1990 was he returned to the fold of the Church.
For information! The first service was held here only in 1991 and has been held every week since then.
Description
It was decided to build the temple in honor of the Archangel Michael in the shape of a cross, adhering to the main features of the Russian-Byzantine style.
They erected five golden domes (one large onion dome and four around the perimeter) and a triangular apse for the altar. The church was decorated using limestone, which was ordered from the local quarries of Gaspra and Inkerman. An iconostasis was ordered in St. Petersburg, and the main chandelier was designed by local craftsmen from Yalta.
The window openings were decorated with stained glass windows made of multi-colored glass, thanks to them, to this day, rainbows shine inside the temple in sunny weather, which is not uncommon in Crimea. You can walk to the Church of the Archangel Michael along a beautiful green alley on the eastern side, if you enter the territory from the street of the Govyrin brothers.
The first thing a parishioner will see from this side will be a triangular apse, with two porches on both sides. Under the domes on the walls of the church there are beautiful kokoshniks in two rows, as signs of the Russian-Byzantine style. The bell tower is located on the western side; it was originally made of wood, but today it has been rebuilt in stone. You can immediately go inside the church through the covered entrance.
Interior of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel
Along with visiting the Church of the Archangel Michael, you can also look into the territory of the old Alupka cemetery. Today there are no burials there, the entire territory is covered with picturesque trees and bushes, so you can stroll along the quiet alleys and honor the memory of all the worthy men who have been buried here for several decades.
More about the temples of Crimea:
- St. Ssavinsky Cave Monastery
- Church-lighthouse of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Malorechenskoye
- Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Simferopol
This is interesting: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Simferopol: photo, address, website, description
How to get (get there) to the temple?
By public transport, you can get to the church from the Yalta bus station by routes No. 117 and No. 105 to the Bus Station in Alupka. Then walk about 300 m in the direction of the Gorsovet stop, turn left - and you are there.
You can get to the Temple of the Archangel Michael by car from the resort pearl of Crimea as follows:
Note to tourists
- Address: Sanatorium impasse, 4, Alupka, Crimea, Russia.
- Coordinates: 44°25′7″N (44.418666), 34°2′42″E (34.044949).
- Telephone.
- Official website: https://alupka.orthodoxy.ru
Being next to the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, you feel both peaceful calm and exciting solemnity, you feel a strong connection with the recent past. And the exciting stories of the guides excite the imagination and make you forget that this is the 21st century. This place is one of the strongest on the entire peninsula. And you will definitely want to come back here again.
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The complicated history of the formation of the shrine
The history of the creation of the temple is very interesting. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the city's population has steadily grown,
Therefore, it was decided to build an Orthodox church here. Count Vorontsov donated money for the construction. In 1820, a new temple complex was built - the project was developed by F.F. Elson. It was rectangular in shape and very similar to the Greek Parthenon. Unfortunately, the shrine did not last long: a strong landslide completely destroyed the architectural structure.
The need for a new temple arose before the townspeople again. The second time, the location was chosen more carefully, with the involvement of hydraulic engineers. The project was provided by O.E. Wegener. It was approved in October 1902 and began collecting donations for construction, and a year later the first stone was laid. Fundraising went very well. The main capital for the construction was left by Sofia Vyalykh-Flegontova - 45,000 rubles, part of the money was given by the emperor himself, generous donations were made by the rich people of Alupka. All residents contributed to the speedy completion of the work, especially the clergy. Finally, in the fall of 1908, the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael in Alupka was consecrated.
Temples in Russia are often named in honor of the Archangel Michael, also called the Archangel,
those. leader of the angels. Believers turn to him with prayers to get rid of bad thoughts and demonic obsession. The Alupka Church is built in the traditional Russian style, it is decorated with golden domes: four small ones on the sides and one large one in the middle. The interior decoration is particularly splendid: rich paintings on the walls, a giant crystal chandelier (skilled Yalta jewelers worked on it), the iconostasis was ordered in St. Petersburg from the famous artist V.S. Lapina.
Church of the Archangel Michael during the Soviet period
After the Bolsheviks came to power, temples and churches began to be closed; in 1923, the next one was supposed to be the Church of the Archangel Michael in Alupka, but the brave population of the city came to its defense and promised to maintain it at their own expense.
The new authorities did not object. But in 1927, a serious earthquake occurred on the peninsula, the church was badly damaged, being in it became life-threatening, and the townspeople had no money for restoration. In October of the same year it was closed, and after another 5 years a decision was made
generally dismantle the structure and use the premises itself as a warehouse.
In 1990, the religious landmark of Alupka returned to the fold of the Russian Orthodox Church, its restoration began, and at the end of 1991, when the main work was completed, the first service was held here.
Temple today
Worship in the temple
Today the temple is never empty. It has many parishioners. Pilgrims arrive, children's laughter does not subside on the territory. The ringing of bells makes you forget about the bustle of the world. You can wander around the temple complex yourself and pray for your family and friends. You can come here on a tour, hear a story about the amazing history of the temple, and capture the beautiful Crimean landscapes as a souvenir.
Parishioners, pilgrims, and tourists are amazed by the beauty and grandeur of the temple imprinted in stone. For major holidays, the friendly church community prepares concerts in which both children and adults participate. There are chants performed by the choir. The sonorous voices of the choir make you stop and listen, and forget about immediate problems.
The mystery of the name of the temple
The Orthodox church received its name from one of the highest representatives of the heavenly army of angels, who refused to betray the Lord and remained faithful to him. Archangel Michael is depicted on canonical icons with a spear or fiery sword standing over the defeated Satan. In the left hand of the formidable angel is a green branch as a symbol of life and victory.
Michael, revered in Rus', accomplished many feats in the name of God. Orthodox Christians pray to the leader of the angelic army for protection from evil forces, illnesses and witchcraft, damage and the evil eye.
Architecture
Repair and restoration work of the temple
Built in the shape of a cross, the temple is crowned with 4 small and 1 large dome, under which there are 2 rows of kokoshniks.
Particularly notable are:
- amazingly beautiful iconostasis (made by craftsmen from St. Petersburg)
- luxurious crystal chandelier (the work of Yalta craftsmen),
- finishing made from Inkerman and Kerch stones of rare color and texture.
- stained glass windows. The sun's rays passing through colored glass create a rainbow effect.
Construction of the temple
The spiritual consistory gave permission to build a new church on January 5, 1901. Since giving money for the construction of a temple is a charitable deed, parishioners financed the construction. The site for the construction of the temple, taking into account the previous sad experience, was chosen with hydrologists. Countess Elizaveta Andreevna Vorontsova-Dashkova donated a plot of land and a large sum of money for construction (5,000 rubles). The architect O.E. Wegener made a preliminary design, and the initiator of the construction was professor of medicine A.A. Bobrov, who founded a children's tuberculosis clinic in Alupka. The design of the building in the Russian style was created by the architect Vasiliev Kh.K.
The Emperor of Russia gave money for gilding the crosses on the domes. The city intelligentsia of Alupka actively participated in fundraising. Count Milyutin and General Maltsev, neighbors in Simeiz, as well as abbot Vladimir Troepolsky contributed money to the construction.
The land for development was consecrated in 1902 by the Yalta archpriest. A strong foundation was prepared for the building. First, they created a cushion 70 centimeters thick, onto which a foundation made of rubble stone was poured with cement mortar.
During the construction of the building, the talented architect Oscar Emilievich Wegener (originally from Switzerland), who created many beautiful buildings and structures on the land of Crimea, supervised the progress of construction work. The joint efforts of representatives of different classes, including financial contributions, bore fruit. According to the act dated September 1, 1908, preserved in the archives, engineer Hecker, who checked the progress of construction, confirmed the strength of the materials and the building. In November of the same year, on the day of St. Michael the Archangel, the new temple was solemnly consecrated.
Where to stay
- Hotel Alubika
Park Hotel "Alubika" is located in Alupka, a 15-minute walk from the sea and adjacent to Vorontsovsky Park. The hotel includes several cottages, a garden with exotic trees and shrubs, observation decks, and an outdoor swimming pool with a water slide. For music lovers there is a piano.
Rooms: 30 comfortable rooms of various categories. Each room has single or double beds, a bathroom (bath or shower, toilet, washbasin), refrigerator, air conditioning, satellite TV, electric kettle (except for economy class rooms). There are rooms with a kitchenette, a separate entrance, a terrace, a balcony, overlooking the sea, park, and mountains.
Address:
Alupka, st. Yaltinskaya, 27
Phones:
+38
- Hotel "Alupka"
The reconstructed Alupka Hotel is located in the center of the village next to Vorontsovsky Park. The beach is a 10 minute walk through the park.
Rooms: Suites, junior suites, standard rooms with and without amenities, some with balconies, most with sea views.
Address:
Alupka, st. Frunze, 8
Phones:
+38, 72-12-91
- Hotel Sercial
The new modern hotel "Sersial" is located on the border of the beach and park area of Alupka. The beach is located 300 m downhill through an oak and cypress park. Open all year round. 2 buildings.
Rooms: Comfortable rooms of different categories.
Address:
Alupka, st. Liberty Highway, 2
Phones:
+38,
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After the October Revolution
The October Revolution marked the beginning of the destruction of the temple. The church was separated from the state after the destruction of the monarchy, so the authorities confiscated church values. According to the act dated October 9, 1922, preserved in the archives, 331 items were confiscated from the temple for the benefit of the hungry. Some of the items were taken from the cemetery church. 46 icons were taken to the People's Commissariat of Finance of Yalta, and 4 icons were left for the temple at the special request of the church council.
In 1925, when church buildings were being demolished en masse, the temple escaped destruction, as a result of which residents asked the Yalta Regional Executive Committee to transfer the building for the preservation and care of believers. The request was for indefinite use with the condition of financing by believers.
The famous Crimean earthquake of 1927 caused damage to the temple, as a result of which the authorities had a legal reason to order the closure of the temple. The last rector N.A. Tsarenko was sent into exile in Siberia. Subsequently, the church domes were removed and a warehouse was placed in the building.
Pilgrimage
At the Church of the Archangel Michael there is a whole guest complex for pilgrims. They are accommodated 3-4 people in one room. They eat in the refectory 3 times a day. Children roam freely in the fenced area. You can let them go alone and be sure that they are completely safe. Many pilgrims come here year after year.
In addition to the complex itself, pilgrims can stay at one of the local hotels. Several of them are within walking distance from the temple.
The famous Vorontsov Palace with an adjacent park was built nearby. There is also a cemetery nearby. Burials no longer take place there. You can simply wander along the quiet green alleys alone with your thoughts.
Bus. No. 117 and No. 105 stop at the Alupki bus station. You only have to walk about 300 m.
Take minibuses No. 102, 107, 115 or No. 32 to the Vorontsovsky Park stop. The bus ride takes about half an hour.
Boat. The boat takes about 35 minutes from the Yalta embankment to the park near the Vorontsov Palace.
Automobile . A car ride along the Yalta-Sevastopol highway will take no more than a quarter of an hour. There are many Orthodox churches in Crimea. But, according to believers, a special grace is felt in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. The leader of the heavenly army helps everyone who turns to him with faith and hope.
Address: Crimea, Yalta city district, Alupka, Corner of Lenin street and Sanatorium deadlock Phone : +7 978 755‑24-90 Open : daily, 9:00–16:00
Where is the church in Alupka?
The Church of St. Michael the Archangel is located on a small hill, in the very center of the resort settlement. It is clearly visible even from the most remote corners. The holy place is surrounded on all sides by green trees and shrubs, which serve as an excellent backdrop to the architectural creation. Very close by is the famous Vorontsov Palace and the beautiful Vorontsov Park with exotic plants, which is always full of tourists.
Temple on the map of Crimea
Architectural features
According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the temple gave the impression of a miracle. Dimensions: 23.5 m by 21.4 m. During the service, more than 900 people could be inside - an amazing figure not only for a small town, but also for the entire coast of Southern Crimea.
In total, 125,000 rubles were spent on construction, and only 4,700 of church money was spent. Features:
- • the walls are made of cut stone brought from the quarries of Kerch and Inkerman;
- • the cruciform shape is characteristic of the Byzantine cathedral style;
- • 3 doors for those entering were complemented by one altar door;
- • 5 domes symbolize Christ and 4 evangelists;
- • a huge crystal chandelier with 24 lamps shines in the center - it was ordered from jewelers in Yalta;
- • 4 columns support the main dome, through the stained glass windows of which daylight passes through.
Being inside at a certain hour, you can see the outline of a dome on the wall - the effect is created by the sun's rays that pass through the window above one of the side doors.
Architect Wegener insisted that the three-tier iconostasis made of dark oak and gilded crosses be made in the best workshop in the south of Russia in Kyiv - A.I. Murashko.
Icons on zinc were painted by the famous St. Petersburg artist A.E. Petrov. Window glass, linoleum for the floor and church utensils were ordered from the capital.
Background of the modern building
Potemkin's victory in 1783, after which Crimea was annexed by the Russian Empire, marked the beginning of the development of the small village of Alupka. The settlement at that time was owned by the governor of the Tauride region, Count Mikhail Semenovich Vorontsov. As the population of the village grew, there was a need for a church for Orthodox believers. With the money of Count Vorontsov, a church was built in 1820, the architecture of which almost completely copied the famous Parthenon. The peripterus-shaped building, the Temple of Theseus, was surrounded by 30 columns.
After standing for several decades, the temple of Theseus began to collapse. The reason for the onset of destruction was landslides of rock and sand layers after heavy rains due to its close location to the seashore. In 1896, the building was dismantled because the columns and walls collapsed from exposure to moisture and salt. The Orthodox began to hold services, funerals and baptisms in a small wooden house. There was a need for a new church.
What a tourist needs to know
The architectural and historical monument is open to everyone, and on holidays religious services are held.
It is easy to find - it is located on a hill and is visible from almost everywhere. Arriving in Alupka by bus, just look north to notice the shining domes.
You can explore the attraction on your own or with a guide as part of a group. Those wishing to pray or listen to the singing of the choir during church holidays will be interested in the schedule of services:
- • liturgy at 7:30 am;
- • evening service at 17:00;
- • morning rule – when there is no liturgy – at 7:30;
- • evening rule at 21:00
Every year on November 31st a big cathedral celebration takes place.
For pilgrims, at the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Alupka, a guest house with rooms for 4 people and a refectory is open; children walk in the fenced yard. There are several hotels within walking distance.
From the temple site there are picturesque views of Ai-Petri and the sea; the old cemetery invites you to take walks. Near the temple there are pomegranate and fig gardens.
Church of the Archangel MichaelOrthodox Church in Alupka
Visiting conditions
Entrance to the temple is free for everyone. Liturgy begins early in the morning, at 7:30, and evening services begin at 17:00. On days when there is no liturgy in the morning, the morning rule is held at the same time, the evening rule begins at 21:00.
Those wishing to confess can talk about worries and troubles either during Matins or before communion. Every year on September 19, hundreds of parishioners and pilgrims come to the temple, memories of the miracle in Honekha are heard, and on November 21, a cathedral holiday is celebrated in the temple.
