ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF THE CATHEDRAL

The basis of the construction of the Archangel Cathedral is a type of six-pillar cross-cupolas temple, traditional for pre-Mongolian Russia, with canonic five domes, zakomara (arched gable) and semicircular apses, projecting on the eastern side. The cathedral walls, according to the Old Russian principle, are divided into pryaslo (vertical partitions) with corresponding longitudinal and diametrical naves in the interior. However, the rich decor of pryaslo makes it practically impossible to understand their structure. Three pryaslo of the western façade correspond to three longitudinal naves, and out of five pryaslo of the northern and southern walls four correspond to four diametrical naves, or transepts. The fifth pryaslo encircles from the sides the western four-storey appendix, built for chapels of the old disassembled temple, and for galleries and church-porches near the western entrance to the cathedral.

Alevisio Novi as a genuine Italian decorated the Archangel Cathedral facades in strict order. With the help of the horizontal middle belt (antablement) all cathedral façades are divided into two levels, each of them having its completed decoration, which makes an illusion of storeys in the building. The tall and heavy low level with decorative archs in pryaslo is a basis for the lighter upper level of smaller height, decorated with panels. The vertical rectangular wall projections, also divided horizontally into halves, were converted into pilasters, the classic order elements. It should be noted that in thirty-five capitals, executed according to a common classic scheme, the central image of the flower in blossom was nowhere repeated. Along the mid-line of every level are located high and narrow windows.

Imitating the architecture of ancient Russian temples Alevisio completes façades of the Archangel Cathedral with decorative zakomara niches with large white-stone relief shells like in Venice and acroteria (sculptural decorations) in the form of high well-proportioned vessels – vials, which hasn’t preserved till today.

The western side of the cathedral is particularly reminiscent of an Italian palazzo. Its central zakomara is decorated with round medallion windows, and the middle pryaslo of the second level is cut by a pair of Italian arch windows. Absolutely identical windows on the same level open on the inside of the temple. Initially the cathedral was in two colours, imitating a red-brickwork with white decorative details, which emphasized the order scheme of the façade construction.