ORTHODOX TEMPLES OF THE AMUR RAILWAY AT THE BEGINNING OF 20th CENTURY

The article is devoted to one of the poorly studied cultural phenomena of the history of our country - church building at the stations of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. At the example of the Amur section of the railroad, an analysis of the architecture of the temples erected at the railway stations in the beginning of 20th century is made. Historical background, specifics of design and construction of churches are described. An analysis of the urban planning situation, volumetric-planning and stylistic solution of religious architecture objects is made. The Amur section of the Trans-Siberian Railroad was the last to be built. It has a strategic importance. The construction of churches at stations was a part of the program of comprehensive development in the region. Churches at stations were built according to typical projects from recommended albums. For a number of stations of the Amur Railroad, a standard church project was specially created. This project was adjusted according to local conditions. In the structure of the station the churches had an axial or peripheral position with the railway station. They were located in open elevated places at the intersection of the main planning axes of the stations. They were oriented towards the railway and the main infrastructure facilities. All the churches of the Amur Railroad were built of wood on a stone foundation. They had a similar three-part planning structure and were in a single connection with the bell tower. The main type of volumetric construction is "octagon on quadrangle" or "quadrant on quadrangle" with a top in the form of a tent or onion-shaped five-domed dome. Stylistically, the churches of the Amur Railroad belong to the neo-Russian direction of eclecticism and Northern Art Nouveau style.