In 1886, a small chapel arose near the Kremlin’s Nikolskaya Tower. Dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and Tsar Alexander Nevsky, it marked a poignant moment in Russian history. The Chasovnya Nikolaya Chudotvortsa, as it’s known in Russian, stands as a testament to Russia’s victory over Napoleon. The chapel’s location itself holds significance. It’s nestled on the spot where the left hand of St. Nicholas icon, which adorned Nikolskaya Tower, was damaged in 1612 during the Polish intervention. The original icons within the Chasovnya Nikolaya Chudotvortsa depicted the faces of four saints: St. Sergius of Radonezh, Tsarevich Dmitry, Apostle Thomas, and, of course, St. Nicholas. The chapel served as a reminder of both divine protection and national resilience. After the Bolshevik revolution in 1917, the chapel’s fate, like many religious structures, became uncertain. While the cross was removed, the main structure remained, a fragile symbol amidst the changing tides. Icons were dispersed, becoming scattered fragments of a forgotten devotion. Yet, the Chasovnya Nikolaya Chudotvortsa endured, albeit transformed. The left arm bearing the icon of St. Nicholas was removed. The remaining space above the gates became home to a statue. This statue, an embodiment of military strength, further solidified the area’s role as a beacon of national pride. Today, the Chasovnya Nikolaya Chudotvortsa, a small structure with a rich past, continues to tell its story. Though its role has shifted with the times, its presence evokes the layers of Moscow’s history. It whispers tales of faith, war, revolution, and resilience.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to