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DestinationRepublic of Mari El, Yoshkar-Ola, Voznesenskaya street, 53
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Excursion booking
Trinity Church in Yoshkar-Ola is one of the oldest churches in the Republic of Mari El. The snow–white silhouette with five domes is visible from afar and makes an exceptional enthusiastic impression. The history of the Trinity Church is a journey from a wooden parish of the 17th century to a large–scale restoration in the 21st century.
The first mention of the temple dates back to 1646. Then it was wooden. The surviving row entry for the construction of the stone church "about two temples at the bottom and at the top" dates back to 1734. Construction began in 1736. Already in 1737, the lower warm chapel was consecrated in the name of Nicholas the Wonderworker. The upper church in the name of the Life-Giving Trinity was completed by 1756, and in 1757 it was consecrated.
It was the first large stone church for Tsarevokokshaysk. By typology, it resembled a cathedral: a powerful quadrangle and a five-domed building. However, it did not officially receive cathedral status and remained a parish. In the 18th century, a stone bell tower in the Moscow Baroque style was erected nearby, replacing a wooden belfry.
In the 20th century, the fate of the temple turned out to be dramatic. It was closed in 1932. The domes and bell tower were dismantled, and the upper tier was destroyed. The building was used for household needs. Only in 1991, the Trinity Church in Yoshkar-Ola was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. From 1995 to 2008, a large-scale restoration was carried out. In 2008, the main altar was consecrated again.
The modern Trinity Church in Yoshkar-Ola retains its historic two-tiered structure. The lower temple is Nikolsky, the upper one is Troitskiy. The main volume is a quadrangle with a pentagon. The central dome is surrounded by four smaller ones, which creates a harmonious composition.
There are semicircular apses on the east side. The bell tower stands alone, as in the 18th century, and forms an expressive vertical accent. The interiors are decorated with new murals in the Byzantine tradition. Modern iconostases have been installed, including a marble one in the lower temple.
Services are held in the church on public holidays, and the building is open to the public during the daytime. For tourists who are interested in what to see in Mari El, the Trinity Church is an important point of the route through the historical center of the city.
Interestingfacts
- Trinity Church became the first large stone church in Tsarevokokshaysk.
- Architecturally, the church is closer to the city cathedrals of the Volga region than to ordinary parishes.
- In the XVIII–XIX centuries, there was an Annunciation chapel in it, which was moved from the upper tier to the lower one.
- In the temple there was a carved wooden icon of Christ in prison from 1695.
- Trinity Church's operating hours and practical information
Working hours of the Trinity Church: daily from 11:00 to 15:00 for visiting; divine services – on church holidays (check on the official resources of the Yoshkar-Ola Diocese).
The cost of the visit: free of charge, donations are welcome.
Organized groups can get on the tour by contacting the Eleon pilgrimage service +7 (902) 325-81-12.
How to get to Trinity Church
- By car: The landmark is the historical center of Yoshkar-Ola, move along Voznesenskaya Street to the temple. Parking is possible on the adjacent streets.
- By public transport: to the stops in the city center, then 5-10 minutes on foot. On
- foot: It will take about 10 minutes to drive from the Malaya Kokshaga embankment.
Tips for tourists
The best time to visit is on the morning of a weekend or during major Orthodox holidays. It takes 30-40 minutes to inspect the territory and interiors. Inside, the rules of behavior in the temple should be observed: modest clothes, mute the phone. It is better to arrange photography in advance.
There are other historical, tourist and cultural sites of the city center nearby. You can combine a visit with a walk along the embankment and get acquainted with the architecture of old Yoshkar-Ola, take a look at the Tower Cultural and Exhibition centeror the Academic Theater. Konstantinov.
Where to stay and eat
The city's hotels and cafes of the historical center are within walking distance. It is convenient for tourists to choose accommodation near the embankment or Obolensky-Nogotkov Square in order to explore the main attractions without long trips.
The Trinity Church in Yoshkar-Ola is a living link with the era of Tsarevokokshaysk and an example of how a monument can come back to life after decades of loss. If you are planning a trip to the capital of Mari El, include this temple in your itinerary - its history and architecture are worth seeing with your own eyes.
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