Ascension church – view from east

Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye (Moscow). View from the east.
Photo by N.I.Zharkikh, July 16, 1986.

This church is the oldest monument of Kolomenskoye. It was built by order of Grand Duke Vasily 3 in 1528 – 1532. There is an opinion that construction of the church connected with a long anticipated event in the prince family life – the birth of son John (in the future tsar Ivan 4).

Church is the first and most perfect example of the type of tent temple. It situated on a high ground floor (podklet) and surrounded by a ring public gallery. In the gallery are three porches. The main church have a very small volume and very stretched up like a tower. Crowned with octagon tent and crown. Its total height – 62 meters; long time it was the tallest church in all of Russia.

The church is located on the edge of high bank of the Moskva River and dominating the surrounding meadows.