Lost World

Few people have heard the name Rekonskaya deserts and even fewer of those who were there. We are accustomed to the gilded dome of the capital's churches and ancient monasteries manicured fences - but did not know that at one time was no less magnificent ....

Deep in the swamps of the Novgorod, on a hill on the two sides of the river is worth ... oh, I do not think that ever since I will write about the monastery.

It stands an ancient fortress-monastery with towers, bell towers, churches and chapels. It sprouted young trees, it was covered with foliage, no road to it - and it is worth and does not give up!

I want to tell you about how the story comes to life before our eyes - comes to life not in the book, not the TV and not on the preacher's words. It is born in us. This is the story that no one knows, but it is - real.

So to get there ...

... should want. Not only buy a ticket on the bus, do not go buses. Rekonskaya desert is in Lyubytinsky District Novgorod Region, more than 7 kilometers from the nearest village. And then you need a long walk in the woods and swamps. Road in the desert for a long time there, except in winter.

This is a road in the Recon. And this bear, he also walks on it.

In the middle of the road on the hill you will find rest. Benches and a memorial sign in honor of the elder Amfilohije, who in the 19th century, played a huge role in the first reconstruction and development of the monastery, built in the 17th century.

Rekonka River winds along your path. It is a monastery on it.

The old border holdings. Apparently, the area was huge - a village, manor houses, arable land. All overgrown with trees.

I can not remember Lermontov:

... where the plums are noisy, embracing like two sisters, jet Aragvi and Kura

It was a monastery, and now sees traces of collapsed pedestrian gate ...

After a long journey the world blooms paints and architectural marvel rises before you.

Let the history of dry encyclopedic words:

The monastery was founded in 1680, since 1685 was registered in the jurisdiction of the Tikhvin Assumption Monastery before the abolition in 1764 during the church reform of Catherine II.

At the beginning of the XIX century, it revived thanks to Andrey Shaposhnikov, became a monk, bathroom, and then the monastic name Amfilohije.

At the end of the XIX century built Trinity Cathedral with a bell tower, church of the Holy Virgin.

After the October Revolution in the desert farm, and it was organized gradually fell into disrepair.

During World War II Wehrmacht troops were placed in the monastery headquarters. Then Soviet troops put your medical unit, it burned and bombed.

Now the monastery is inactive. It has lived the elder monk about. Simeon, and it tries to restore a group of enthusiasts led by young, intelligent local historian Vitaly (even though he was carrying a gun - to see, different folk come). He monastic elder. Chat with this person is a great pleasure. But they are few, they are not rich and do what they can. - The salary with the guys get on the top ten skins, buy boards ....

A rifle, by the way, deserves special attention!

They are simple life - shed, wooden house, another for granted. Simeon. Banka. Chainsaw. Generator. That's all. There is no way - all imported by winter road, and in the warmer or GAZ-66 or on foot. Wolfhound your there. Bear comes to visit them, the one whose trace you saw. He was not angry, bear in their affairs - evenings catches frogs for the bath. Growls and romping - accustomed.

This is on the other side. Once the monastery was surrounded by a wall and the other side of the bridge was made strong. In the photo the second bell tower and one more entrance gates - there is quite all overgrown. There was a pond with carp ...

The second temple.

What is left of the ramparts

And the churchyard

View of the main church and the bell tower from the opposite bank

The monastery was founded in 1680, in the place where hunters (or warriors) - is in different sources in different ways, find the icon lying on a rock by the river.

Wood, it's everywhere.

The White Tower

Inside the main temple was once very beautiful. Light!

This is an amazing masterpiece of engineering

And he is dying before our eyes. Several volunteers do not have time to return that takes water and wind.

The remains of domes.

They feel an incredible feeling. This is a story, it is alive, and you're in it.

There were terrible fights in the 40s. On the territory lying bronelisty and debris. A monastery stands.

Almost ...

A little more, and all ...

The main temple.

Inside built the altar

The grave of the elder Amphilochius

You know, it's a fairy tale, this is one of the most beautiful and lively places where I was.

You know, I do not believe in God. Materialist. But here I felt the touch of eternity and eternity - it is our history. And yet we are told fairy tales about spiritual scrapie build concrete mass of the church in the sleeping areas and impose laws on insulting the feelings - are dying, our history, our culture, and our people's faith, too. This place is not one word here does not mean only Rekonskuyu desert - but it is a symbol. Monument of history, culture, architecture, religion - dying. It is trying to save a dozen Tikhvin children and old monk, but they are not strong enough. No not like this. Lacks! I hope that he does not have enough ...

Who cares to know everything about this place, come on, there is comprehensive information about Rekonskoy desert.