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The one thing you must do, however, is take the time to cross the Volga by one of the bridges and climb up towards the Vvedensky Cathedral. From the outside, it looks like most other grand Orthodox churches, but inside it is truly breathtaking. Currently, there is work under way to repair damage to the structure after many years of neglect, but fortunately the majority of the original decoration has been saved. Every single square inch including the roof space has been covered by murals dating from the 17th century. Their beauty is only enhanced by the patina of age caused by 300 years of candles and incense and you are left struck by the presence of greatness in the work around you. Particularly apt is the image of St. George slaying the dragon, always a symbol of Christianity triumphing over paganism. I hope that the restoration which is underway will be kind to these murals because they are without any question unique.
Russia Cruise to Cheboksary
Cheboksary
Cheboksary is not by any means the first place you would think to visit in Russia, but like many provincial cities it has a lot to offer to the visitor who wants to see more of the real Russia. Cheboksary lies on the Volga in the north of Chuvashia and it has had a long and varied history. It was first mentioned in written sources in 1469, but it is certain from archeology that it was occupied during the first millennium. Chuvashia was never a Muslim region, it leaped straight from paganism to Russian Orthodox Christianity in the 16th century and although Russian is its official language, many people use Chuvash for everyday communication. The city is clean and modern with broad tree lined boulevards which sweep down to the bay where you can find all kinds of entertainments on the banks of the Volga, or afloat. You can visit the theatre, the museum, or wander amongst the many stalls on the boardwalk. If you mention Chuvashia to any Russian they will tell you it is the home of beer brewing and in Cheboksary you can visit Russia's only beer museum, but perhaps it's much nicer just to sample the beer in one of the little cafés with a terrace looking over the river..The one thing you must do, however, is take the time to cross the Volga by one of the bridges and climb up towards the Vvedensky Cathedral. From the outside, it looks like most other grand Orthodox churches, but inside it is truly breathtaking. Currently, there is work under way to repair damage to the structure after many years of neglect, but fortunately the majority of the original decoration has been saved. Every single square inch including the roof space has been covered by murals dating from the 17th century. Their beauty is only enhanced by the patina of age caused by 300 years of candles and incense and you are left struck by the presence of greatness in the work around you. Particularly apt is the image of St. George slaying the dragon, always a symbol of Christianity triumphing over paganism. I hope that the restoration which is underway will be kind to these murals because they are without any question unique.
Russia Cruise to Cheboksary
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