Bolshaya Ordinka ulitsa

Bolshaya Ordinka ulitsa Review

Russian Orthodox churches, many recently restored, line this north-south street that runs for more than a mile. Near the Dobrininskaya metro, the white classical-style St. Catherine's Church (Tserkov Ekaterini, No. 60. No phone) sits on the corner of Pogorelsky pereulok. It was commissioned by Catherine the Great in 1763 and designed by Karl Blank. The interior is in a bad state, but you can still make out some frescoes. Walk farther north to reach Martha and Mary Convent (Marfo-Mariinskaya Obitel, No. 34. No phone), which opened in 1909 and is most noted for its white Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary. It has been recently restored and is open for services on Sunday at 8:30 am. The religious order of the convent is now across the street. A few doors from the convent is Church of St. Nicholas in Pyzhi (Tserkov Nikoly v Pyzhakh, No. 27a. 495/231-3742. Mon., Tues., and Thurs. noon-6:30, weekends 10-6:30. Metro: Dobrininskaya), an ornate, bright-white building with five gold cupolas, dating from 1670. Continue up Bolshaya Ordinka ulitsa and take a right on Klimentovsky pereulok. Push your way through the throngs exiting the metro to the middle of the small alleyway to view the baroque St. Clement's Church (Tservkov Klimenta, 26 Klimentovsky per. No phone. Metro: Tretyakovskaya). The construction of this church, begun in 1743 and designed by Pietro Antonio Trezzini, took three decades. Today it is set to be restored and its star-studded cupolas and redbrick baroque building are especially impressive. Retrace your steps to Bolshaya Ordinka ulitsa and cross the street and take a right. A few steps away is the yellow Church of the Virgin of All Sorrows (Tserkov Bogomateri Vsekh Skorbyashchikh Radostei, No. 20. No phone. Metro: Tretyakovskaya). Designed by Osip Bove and built between 1828 and 1835, the neoclassical-era church is an excellent example of the Empire style popular in the early 19th century. It replaced one that had burned down in the fire of 1812. The interior, filled with icons and gold, is nothing earth-shattering, but is good for getting the feel of a typical working church. Sunday services are often at 10 am, but the church is usually open daily. From here, you're not far from the famous Tretyakov Gallery.