Church of Nativity in Putinky

Church of Nativity in Putinky (Moscow). View from the southwest.
Photo by N.I.Zharkikh, May 6, 1979.

Please be aware that the name "Putinky" comes not from V.V.Putin, but from "Putevoj (itinerary) embassy yard", which was here in the 17th century (here taken ambassadors who came to Moscow by Tver way).

The church was built in 1649 – 1652. It has a complex planning structure. In the photo we have seen (from left to right side) porch with tent roof (restored in 1957 after the old examples), the chapels of burning bush with a blind dome on circles archs, 2-tier bell tower and the main volume, topped with three slender deaf tents.

In 1653, shortly after completion, Patriarch Nikon banned the construction of such tent temples, considering them non-orthodox. So the Russian authorities with their own desire deplete architecture of their country.