The flooded bell tower of Kalyazin: a witness of centuries, a symbol of perseverance

In the small town of Kalyazin, located on the banks of the Volga, there is a unique architectural monument - the flooded bell tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral. This building has become not only a symbol of perseverance and faith, but also a reminder of the tragic events of the past.

The bell tower was erected in 1800 and was part of the architectural ensemble of St. Nicholas Cathedral. The five-tiered structure amazed everyone: the 74-meter bell tower was slightly inferior to Ivan the Great himself in the Moscow Kremlin (81 meters). The height of the Kalyazinskaya bell tower is 74 meters.

In 1939 during the construction of the Uglich hydroelectric power station, the bell tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral along with the temple itself was flooded. The old center of Kalyazin with streets, a market, a cemetery and even the famous Trinity Makariev Monastery, which was founded in 1434 by St. Makariy Kalyazinsky, were also under water.

People were evicted long before the flooding, many even dismantled their homes.

Over time, the base of the bell tower gave a slight tilt, and an artificial fortification was built around it for its safety. Now the 74-meter-high structure stands on a small island, being one of the main attractions of Kalyazin. Tourists from all over the world come here to see this amazing monument with their own eyes, and from its observation deck there is a stunning view of the Volga and the surrounding area.

We arrived there in the winter, in a 30 degree frost, and got there on ice. In summer, the bell tower can be reached by boat. It is symbolic that even inside the flooded bell tower there is a functioning church shop.

The flooded bell tower has become a symbol not only of Kalyazin, but of the whole of Russia. This architectural monument is an example of how important it is to preserve its history and culture for future generations.