Bryánshchyna. Sevsk. The Transfiguration monastery // SAYA.UZ

Bryánshchyna. Sevsk. The Transfiguration monastery

Bryánshchyna. Sevsk. The Transfiguration monastery

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Took place on: 2024-10-08

How depressing.

-shchyna ("shch" is pronounced similar to "sh" in "sheep") is a common suffix for regions in North-Eastern Ukraine (Kharkiv, Chernihiv, etc.) and neighboring Russia (Bryansk, Kursk, etc.).

The beginning of October. As I arrived in Bryansk, the sky was getting gloomy, rains were occasionally falling. The temperature was still relatively warm, +15°C (+59°F) at its peak, but it was moist autumn in all its glory.

I'd been to Svensky Monastery a day prior though, and I was blessed with mild fall sun. So the contrast with today's trip was big.

The Church of St. Nicholas. Functioning

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The Church of St. Nicholas. Functioning

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Some parts are still looked after, like this wooden vestibule

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Some parts are still looked after, like this wooden vestibule

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It was drizzling the whole day, the temperature was just +8°C (+46.4°F), and the only outerwear I wore was a black coat. Well, jeans were insulated at least.

Still, I got cold.

Lenin street (not a surprise to have it as a main street in Russia)

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Lenin street (not a surprise to have it as a main street in Russia)

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Ads for signing a military contract, which became ubiquitous in modern Russia

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Ads for signing a military contract, which became ubiquitous in modern Russia

I finished my walk after 2.5 hours, but I was 2 hours early for the next bus to Bryansk, so I sat here on autostation waiting.

Sevsk is the southernmost town of Bryansk oblast'. It's close to Ukraine -- 23.5 km (14.6 mi) straight, 38 km (23.6 mi) by road. That's why there are patrols holding the buses till departure to check everyone on board, asking the ID. Like me, for example. I had to give them my international passport until I found my domestic one (in Russia, ID card is yet to be implemented, so we use domestic passports).

Up from sheds the Trinity monastery is looking

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Up from sheds the Trinity monastery is looking

That's how fine can classicism age

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That's how fine can classicism age

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I imagine it's obvious now what Sevsk is. It was an important border town (in XVII century!) next to the Commonwealth and the Zaporizhian Sich. Afterwards, it became an ordinary county town.

It has an enviable number of sightseeings, especially the ritual ones. But they were kept in a state, that can attract only lovers of despair.

Some objects are, though, under scaffolding

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Some objects are, though, under scaffolding

Does it mean they are getting restored?

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Does it mean they are getting restored?

I hope so.

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I hope so.

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This is the bell tower of (no longer existing) Assumption Cathedral

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This is the bell tower of (no longer existing) Assumption Cathedral

Many crows flying around here

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Many crows flying around here

The main town's sight is a bit far from the center, behind a woodworking manufacture.

The Church of Archangel Michael is scaffolded too

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The Church of Archangel Michael is scaffolded too

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We came upon Transfiguration monastery!

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We came upon Transfiguration monastery!

Well, to its ruins.

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Well, to its ruins.

The monastery has its origins in XVII century, the architectural ensemble -- in XVIII century

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The monastery has its origins in XVII century, the architectural ensemble -- in XVIII century

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But it seems like the monastery finally gets restored

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But it seems like the monastery finally gets restored

You can't get inside anymore, there are no gates from steel decking

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You can't get inside anymore, there are no gates from steel decking

Maybe, 2024 will become a year of town's revival

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Maybe, 2024 will become a year of town's revival

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