Church of the Intercession on the Nerl

Church of the Intercession on the Nerl
Церковь Покрова на Нерли
The church in winter. The Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs, built in 1885, is on the left in the background
Religion
AffiliationRussian Orthodox
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusRussian Orthodox Eparchy of Vladimir
Location
LocationBogolyubovo, Vladimir Oblast, Russia
Geographic coordinates56°11′46.5″N 40°33′41.0″E / 56.196250°N 40.561389°E / 56.196250; 40.561389
Architecture
Architect(s)Russian architects
StyleCross-domed church
Completed1158 or 1165

The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl (Russian: Церковь Покрова на Нерли, romanized: Tserkov Pokrova na Nerli) is a Russian Orthodox church and a symbol of medieval Russia. Dedicated to the Intercession of the Theotokos, the church is situated at the confluence of the Nerl and the Klyazma in Bogolyubovo, Vladimir Oblast, 13 km (8.1 mi) north-east of the medieval princely seat of Vladimir on the Klyazma. For centuries, the memorial church greeted everyone approaching the palace at Bogolyubovo. In spring, the area would flood, and the church appeared as if floating on water. The church itself has not been substantially altered, with only the dome's shape being slightly changed, and the addition of porch-galleries in the 12th century, which were rebuilt in the 18th century and then demolished. The walls are still covered with 12th-century stone carvings. The church is built in the Vladimir-Suzdal school.