World Heritage Identification Number: 1525
World Heritage since: 2017
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇷🇺 Russian Federation
Continent: Europe
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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The Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the Town-Island of Sviyazhsk: A Testament to Ivan the Terrible's Conquest and Colonization Efforts
The Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk, located in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, stands as a significant testament to the political and missionary program developed by Tsar Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) in the 16th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2017, offers a unique glimpse into the history of the Russian state's expansion and colonization efforts, particularly in the Volga region.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Assumption Cathedral is located in the town-island of Sviyazhsk and is part of the monastery of the same name. Situated at the confluence of the Volga, the Sviyaga and the Shchuka rivers, at the crossroads of the Silk and Volga routes, Sviyazhsk was founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1551. It was from this outpost that he initiated the conquest of the Kazan Khanate. The Assumption Monastery illustrates in its location and architectural composition the political and missionary programme developed by Tsar Ivan IV to extend the Moscow state. The cathedral’s frescoes are among the rarest examples of Eastern Orthodox mural paintings.
Encyclopedia Record: Sviyazhsk Assumption Monastery
The Sviyazhsk Assumption Monastery in Sviyazhsk, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia is a male Russian Orthodox monastery, included in UNESCO World Heritage list. It is said to be situated on the town-island of Sviyazhsk, but actually there is a road access by earth to the main territory. It was built in 1555, in the same time as Diocese of Kazan was established, and was the main educational and enlightenment center there during XVI—XVIII centuries, in the program of Russian tzar Ivan the Terrible to colonize Volga region. In particular, it had one of the first printing presses in Russia, along with Moscow Print Yard. The frescoes of the Orthodox monastery are among the best preserved in Russia.Additional Site Details
Area: 3.25 hectares
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 55.7702777778 , 48.6527777778
