Cathedral Square of Belgorod: history of its origin
Cathedral Square in Belgorod has changed several names over its history. It was first mentioned in the 17th century. At that time the square was called Bolshoi. From 1932 to 2004 it was called Revolution Square. But by decision of the municipal authorities, its historical name was returned - Cathedral Square. In this regard, the question arises: why Sobornaya? Because currently there is not a single cathedral on the square. It turns out that the Nativity of the Virgin Mary convent used to be located on this site. It was founded back in 1622 and existed until 1923, when the Soviet government took away the building from the monastery for a workers' dormitory. Later in the 1950s, all dilapidated buildings were demolished. But already in 1962, on the site of the monastery, the building of the regional drama theater named after M.S. Shchepkina.
Cathedral Square in Belgorod. Photo: Ivan Ivanov
After the occupation during the Great Patriotic War, the appearance of Belgorod changed significantly. The city was then in ruins; not a trace remained of many buildings. Only later, from the middle of the last century, the future regional center gradually began to be revived: the streets were built up again, life returned to a peaceful course. However, some toponymic objects were nevertheless irretrievably erased from the city map. Let's talk about such Belgorod squares, of which, by the way, there used to be quite a few.
How many squares are there in Belgorod today? Cathedral and Museum immediately come to mind. Maybe Vokzalnaya, Troitskaya, Universitetskaya... Hardly anyone can name much more. But in the old days, the city could boast of the Senna, and the Bazaar, and the Horse, and a host of others.
Bazarnaya, for example, used to be located in the city center. Now this place is limited on four sides by the modern streets of the 50th anniversary of the Belgorod region, Preobrazhenskaya, Popov and Slavy Avenue. So, currently on the site of Bazarnaya Square there are the Pobeda cinema, the Transfiguration Cathedral, the building of the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs and residential buildings.
Transfiguration Cathedral in Belgorod. Photo: Evgenia Zdesenko
In the 18th, 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, the main retail outlets of the city were concentrated here: rows of shops, a covered gallery, warehouses, taverns. They sold both food and household items, clothing, and shoes. Among the shopping arcades are meat and fish, fruit and greens, bread and leaven, shoe and cap, leather and iron. Milk, cottage cheese, sour cream and eggs were sold in a separate pavilion, which was located on the site of the current main post office. There were even carousels and a stage for street performers on Market Square. In a word, it was a kind of analogue of today's shopping and entertainment complexes, but in the open air.
Not very far from Bazarnaya - next to the modern city hospital No. 1 on Narodny Boulevard - there were two more squares: Sennaya and Shchepnaya. Their names don’t deceive – they used to sell hay and wood chips here. Drovyanaya Square was also located on today's Narodny Boulevard, where citizens could buy firewood. In 1931 it was annexed to Narodnaya Street.
At the same time, Litvinova Street - now Belgorodsky Prospekt - expanded due to its merger with Konnaya Square. Horses were sold here. As we can see, in the past, areas were often used specifically for trading purposes. Today, on the site of Konnaya there is a bank, a theological seminary and a residential high-rise building.
In old Belgorod there was also Cemetery Square - next to the cemetery on Popova Street, Vygonnaya Square - between the same cemetery and modern school No. 48. Also, two old squares were named after the cathedrals, next to which they were located: Smolenskaya, later renamed Budyonny Square , and Uspenskaya, which became Bukharin Square at the beginning of the 20th century. The churches - Smolenskaya and Assumption-Nikolaevskaya - remain in their places now, but the squares are no longer there.
In general, only Cathedral Square has survived to this day, which in its history was called both Bolshoi and Revolution Square; as well as Vokzalnaya and Litvinova. Vokzalnaya appeared in Belgorod in the early 1870s, when a railway station was built in the city, but Litvinov Square is, in fact, an area of courtyards at the intersection of Vokzalnaya Street and Belgorodsky Prospekt. Few people know about it, and after construction it no longer represents an area, but it still appears on maps.
Already in the 2000s, the list of Belgorod squares was replenished with Universitetskaya and Museum squares. The first is located in front of the new building of BelSU, and the second is surrounded by three city museums: historical and local history, art and the diorama museum “Battle of Kursk. Belgorod direction".
University Square in Belgorod. Photo: Evgenia Zdesenko
Listen to the program about Belgorod toponyms “Where is this street” on the waves of the Mira Belogorya radio weekly on weekends at 13:30 and 17:30. And also read other materials from the series on our website:
History of Belgorod toponyms. What the streets of Gubkin can tell you about
History of Belgorod toponyms. Sevastopolskaya Street in Stary Oskol
History of Belgorod toponyms. Medkova Street in Biryuch
History of Belgorod toponyms. Viti Zakharchenko Street in Shebekino
History of Belgorod toponyms. Streets named after memorable dates
History of Belgorod toponyms. Vatutina Avenue and Vatutina Street in Belgorod
History of Belgorod toponyms. M. Alisova Street in Gubkin
History of Belgorod toponyms. Lira Abdullina Street in Stary Oskol
History of Belgorod toponyms. Architect Butova Street in Stary Oskol
History of Belgorod toponyms. From Bolshaya Square to Cathedral Square
History of Belgorod toponyms. Polyanka, Prechistenka and Red Square streets
History of Belgorod toponyms. Streets named after writers
History of Belgorod toponyms. Rebinder Street in Shebekin
History of Belgorod toponyms. Portovaya Street in Belgorod
History of Belgorod toponyms. Svetlichnaya Street in Krasnoe
History of Belgorod toponyms. "Professional" streets
History of Belgorod toponyms. Alexey Kvasov Street
History of Belgorod toponyms. "Out-of-town" streets
History of Belgorod toponyms. Prince Lvov Street in N. Oskol
Cathedral Square of Belgorod: description
Cathedral Square is located in the very center of Belgorod. For this reason, all important city events and activities take place there. It is also worth saying that Cathedral Square is a pedestrian zone.
When I first looked at Cathedral Square, I was struck by its multi-colored paving stones.
The center of the square is decorated with an image of the sun. Inside there is a round medallion depicting a map of the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod region. In addition, the central medallion is surrounded by square relief images dedicated to the regions of the Belgorod region. Their number is 21 according to the number of districts.
A first aid station appeared at the “killer skating rink” in Belgorod, but problems remained
From December 12 to 24, 2022, at the main skating rink of the city, located on Cathedral Square next to the regional administration, there was everything: artificial ice, rental of skates of “unknown origin” for money, numerous security guards from the city municipality, sale of alcohol during the daytime, music, including criminal chanson at 11 am, there was only a first aid kit and a paramedic.
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“EG” columnist, winner of the all-Russian competition for the best material about the activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation “Shield and Feather” Anzhelika Zaozerskaya, who was not given medical care at the skating rink after a fall on the ice and severe bruises and fractures, had to write an appeal to the governor of the Belgorod region V. Gladkov, two statements to the police of Belgorod and the Belgorod region, personally contact the acting director. O. the mayor of the city, Anton Ivanov, so that 12 days after the opening of the large skating rink (opening hours from 10:00 to 00:00) a first-aid post would appear there. By the way, during these 12 days there have been many changes both in the Belgorod region and at the city hall skating rink. Due to surgery on her right arm and a cast, Anzhelika Zaozerskaya was forced to stay in the regional center for a month and a half, where she observes with her own eyes what is happening, which she tells our readers about.
From December 21, the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, canceled the order banning visits to public places, shopping centers, etc. without QR codes. Without it, even pensioners were not allowed into stores, including grocery stores, to buy essential goods. It was impossible to be on the territory of the skating rink on Cathedral Square without a QR code. The numerous security guards at the skating rink focused all their efforts on checking visitors’ QR codes, while not paying attention to requests to provide medical assistance to the victims or at least invite an administrator. The security even has its own boss (the mayor's office assigned a whole detachment to the skating rink), who mocks people with broken arms and legs.
These skates were available for rent at the skating rink in Gorky Park. Photo: Anzhelika Zaozerskaya
On December 20, I received a call from the Belgorod Education Department and was informed that the skating rink had been transferred to the city education department, that there was a medical aid station with a 12-hour nurse on duty, and that new skates would be purchased for rental. The good news made me happy, but on December 24, at 11:30, I decided to make sure there was a first-aid post at the skating rink. Administrator Anastasia stated that “the nurse went on a break.” An hour later I returned to the skating rink and found nurse Nadezhda Nikolaevna Shcherbinina:
– Today I was urgently called to the skating rink from sports school 9... I dropped everything and came. “Today is my first time at the skating rink,” explained Nadezhda Nikolaevna.
The nurse believes that the skating rink workers were obliged to call an ambulance for the injured person.
These are the skates they give out at the city hall rental skating rink in Belgorod. Photo: Anzhelika Zaozerskaya
Belgorod City Hall opened a “killer skating rink” on Cathedral Square
EG columnist Anzhelika Zaozerskaya went to her native Belgorod to visit her parents and, tempted by the grand opening and bright lights of the skating rink on Cathedral Square, she broke her right arm with bones displaced.
I would like to hope that the nurse’s arrival is not a one-time event. There is documentation on the wall of the skating rink stating that it belongs to the municipal budgetary institution “Belgorobostroystvo Management” and that General Director M. S. Arabinsky and Chief Engineer A. S. Smirnov are responsible for its work. This management tried to create all the amenities for visitors, including the sale of alcoholic beverages on the territory of the skating rink, but they simply forgot about the safety of people.
By the way:
Maxim Arabinsky is a colleague from his former job at the Belgorod Mortgage Corporation and. O. Mayor of Belgorod Anton Ivanov. The current acting Ivanov has held the position of General Director of the Belgorod Mortgage Corporation since 2022, where Arabinsky also worked until October 2022. Now I understand why for so long I could not find the person responsible for the operation of the skating rink.
Anzhelika Zaozerskaya
Belgorod skating rink medicine
Cathedral Square of Belgorod: architectural ensemble
The Cathedral Square of Belgorod surprised me with the variety of architectural buildings. In my opinion, they deservedly represent the sights of Belgorod.
Hotel Belgorod
The first thing that appeared to my eyes upon arrival at Cathedral Square was the Belgorod Hotel. And this is not surprising, since I arrived here late in the evening by taxi with the goal of checking into a hotel.
The Stalinist building turned out to be very beautiful. The inside of the hotel also made a very favorable impression on me. But I was absolutely happy when I looked at the view from the window of my room onto Cathedral Square.
It is worth noting that the Belgorod hotel is the calling card of the city. Even though her building has undergone a modern renovation, she still managed to retain the flavor of its era.
Holy Trinity Boulevard
Next to the Belgorod hotel is the Holy Trinity Boulevard. It received its current name in 2004 in honor of the Holy Trinity Monastery destroyed during Soviet times. Until that time, it was called Lenin Avenue. Since the boulevard is very conveniently located next to the city square, it is not surprising that it has become a favorite vacation spot for residents and guests of the city. Undoubtedly, the brightest decoration of the boulevard is the Eternal Flame memorial.
Belgorod Region Government Building
Due to the fact that Cathedral Square of Belgorod is the main city square, it is quite logical that the building of the Government of the Belgorod Region is located on it.
It looks quite monumental.
Previously, there was a monument to V.I. Lenin in front of it. But in 2013, a monument-stele “City of Military Glory” was erected in its place.
It is worth saying that Belgorod was the first city in Russia, which, according to a presidential decree, was awarded the title “City of Military Glory” in 2007. In the center of the composition we see a stone obelisk with a bronze eagle on top. And around the obelisk there are four steles with bas-reliefs, which depict historical events of the city of Belgorod.
Belgorod Drama Theater named after M.S. Shchepkina
In my opinion, the most beautiful attraction of Belgorod Cathedral Square is the Belgorod Drama Theater named after M.S. Shchepkina.
The theater building was built in 1962. Its façade is decorated with eight columns decorated with a portico. And the top of the theater is crowned with a sculpture of the muse Melpomene. It is worth noting that next to the theater there is a monument to Mikhail Shchepkin, in whose honor it received its name.
This is what the theater looks like at night.
In addition, next to the theater there is a Chapel in honor of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir. It was consecrated quite recently in 2015 and, in my opinion, looks very harmonious next to the theater.
Civil Prospect
It is worth noting that Belgorod’s Cathedral Square is the end of Civil Avenue, which originates at Vokzalnaya Square. I managed to walk along Civil Avenue twice. Once during the day and once at night. And I would like to say that this walk gave me great pleasure. After all, on my way I met many beautiful architectural buildings and monuments.
For example, while walking along Grazhdansky Avenue, you can visit the Smolensky Cathedral.
Or from the avenue you can go to the City Garden and visit the alley of Belgorod’s sister cities.
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The governor corrected the mistakes of the Belgorod mayor's office and brought the main skating rink to life
The new skating rink on Cathedral Square in Belgorod has been replenished with new figure skates - both for children and adults, and now there is a nurse on duty there all the time. EG columnist Anzhelika Zaozerskaya, who was injured as a result of skating on “outlandish” skates rented here, turned to the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, with a request to “check the quality of the skates and safety measures.” The regional governor took the skating rink, which belonged to the city mayor's office, under his personal control and brought it to proper condition. Anzhelika Zaozerskaya talks about the innovations that appeared at the skating rink thanks to her perseverance and vigilance.
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Deputy Head of the City Administration, Head of the Department of Municipal Economy S.S. Nekipelov, in response to my Appeal to the Governor of the region V.V. Gladkov, replied that “I myself lost my balance,” that “skating is associated with an increased risk,” and wrote, that “the skates, according to a certain publication, are among the top best.” Perhaps the Department of Municipal Economy is not familiar with such basic things as providing medical care, or at least the presence of a first aid kit in a place of “high danger”? But Governor Gladkov, fortunately, does not think so. The skating rink, which the children visit, was transferred from the city department to the city education department, and rightly so. The city education department has a Committee on Physical Culture, and there I know exactly what skates need to be bought for non-professionals to skate. The Education Department organized a 12-hour duty of a nurse. And they immediately bought proven white figure skates of the latest model, which the Russians skated and still skate on. Now the rental shop on Belgorod's Cathedral Square has men's, women's and children's skates.
Photo: Anzhelika Zaozerskaya
Deputy Mayor of the city S.S. Nekipelov, in his official response, described my life minute by minute on December 13 and 14, 2022, although I did not give the right to track me down. I explain to Deputy Mayor Sergei Nekipelov why, after falling at the skating rink, the first thing I did was go to the administration of the Belgorod region and the Belgorod Internal Affairs Directorate, and not to the emergency room:
— I am a journalist with 30 years of experience in the federal media. Like all real journalists, I put people’s interests first, and my own second. If bombs fall (and there have been such situations in my life), I will convey information about this to people, and only then I will go look for shelter. The skating rink should not have operated without a first aid kit and a nurse. Rentals should have specialized skates for children and adults, but this was not the case before. A person who breaks his arm, even if this person is a harmful journalist, must be given first aid, and not laugh at him with batons in his hands, as the security of the Belgorod municipality did.
Photo: Anzhelika Zaozerskaya
However, Sergei Nekipelov is no longer the vice-mayor of Belgorod. He left his post, where he was invited by his friend, acting mayor of Belgorod Anton Ivanov, because “he was offered an interesting field” (as Nekipelov told one of the local publications).
It would be a good idea to conduct an audit of all the activities of the Vice-Governor of Belgorod Nekipelov. He is leaving his post too quickly! (less than three months have passed since the appointment).
Photo: Anzhelika Zaozerskaya
A first aid station appeared at the “killer skating rink” in Belgorod, but problems remained
Personal thanks to the Belgorod police officers who called an ambulance after a fall at the skating rink and took him to the emergency room.
Anzhelika Zaozerskaya
Belgorod skating rink accident injury
