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The apse or East facadeThe central apse has three elongated windows while the side apses have only one long window. The drum and cupola are decorated. Attached columns flank the windows and the carvings contain half-figures and mythical animals. The cross is iron with gilded copper lacework and a copper dove sits at the top. See below. |
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Views of tops of the apsesUnlike the arcades on the three other facades, here there are no figures at the tops of the arches. The columns themselves are carved, some with an interlace pattern reminiscent of Scandinavian designs. The figural sculpture is at the base of the columns while the animal and foliate decoration is between the arches. Many of these console blocks are later replacements. Brumfield identifies two of the blocks in the center below: the face, a nineteenth century mask and to its right, a twelfth century bird. For a close up, see the middle photograph two rows down. |
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North Facade |
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| North facade, left bayThe patron, Prince Vsevolod, with five of his sons, one on his lap is one of the rulers, like Christ himself, who brings authority and justice. Other sides have depicted Solomon and Alexander. |
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Left and right: central and right bay; center: detail of central bayThe detail shows half-figure low-relief carvings of saints. The style may have been derived from textiles or metal work. |
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