RUSSIAN CITIES - ROMANO-BORISOGLEBSK

Romano-Borisoglebsk was founded by Prince Roman, grandson of Vsevolod of Yaroslavl in the middle 13th century. He established his fortress for his druzhina across the Volga on the high left bank. There was already a village, Borisoglebsk, on the right bank named for the two early saints of the Orthodox church, Princes Boris and Gleb. The left bank area became known as Romanov. The artisans and peasants remained at Borisoglebsk. The two villages were united into one community. After the Revolution of 1917 the town was renamed Tutayev after a Revolutionary War Bolshevik hero in 1921. It has reverted to its former name now.
The Cathedral of the Resurection is in the Borisoglebsk side. It was built and paid for by the merchants and artisans of the town, whose population numbered about 3000 in all, in 1670 on the foundation of an older 12th century church. One notes the arcaded galleries and porches and long stair cases outside the rectangular body of the church itself. The church with its apses and drums and round domes is typical of Yaroslavl-style architecture. The ornimental brick work is also typical of the region. Inside, the frescos are well preserved.
On the left bank there are six churches - Cathedral of the Exhaltation of the Cross on the earthen rampart of the medieval fortress - the Spaso-Arkangel Church a bit upriver and beyond it the Church of the Transfiguration and Church of the Icon of the Virgin of Kazan and Church of the Intercession. These are all 17th-18th century churches.

Cathedral of the Resurection - Voskresenski Sobor - built from 1652 to 1678. It is on a high, right bank location dominating the countryside for miles around. It replaced a tent style church dedicatd to Saints Boris and Gleb. It was built by subscription from the local population, then numbering only about 3000, under the leadership of Nikita Molodushkin and Zakhar Kotlovanov.

Close-up detail of the Cathedral of the Resurection.

The entrance porch of the Cathedral of the Resurection leading up to the main, summer church.

View of the cathedral domes.

Another view of the Cathedral of the Resurection.

View of the Holy Gate on the right and the bell tower behind the porch.

A fresco in the cathedral - depics Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden being tempted and then their being expelled. It is a part of a full series of scenes from Genesis.

One of the elaborate entrance doors in the cathedral porch.

Detail of section of frescos in the entrance porch. Note the steel re-enforcing rods used to preserve the building.

At the Volga river dock a local hostess offers bread and salt in traditional greeting to American visitors.

Another view of the hostess from Romano-borisoglebsk offering bread and salt to American visitors. More of the local greeting party are in the background.

Some members of the Romano-borisoglebsk community greeting visitors at the Volga River dock.

The enthusiastic Romano-borisoglebsk community hosts insist visitors join in the dancing.

The enthusiastic dancing continues.

Another view of the American and Russian dance party at Romano-borisoglebsk.

The local greeting committee at Romano-borisoglebsk with our stirling interpreter.

The American tour group at the Volga River doc k of Romano-borisoglebsk.

The American tour group gathered for a photo near the cathedral

A delighted throng of American tourists returning to the Pallada after their visit to Romano-borisoglebsk.