Temples and churchs of Nikolaev, Ukraine.

Different nationalities that lived here, on Nikolaev land, built the temples in distant past. One of the sanctuaries that have been found by archaeologists situated in a town New Odessa ( 45 km north from Nikolaev). The altar dates from the Copper Century, 4-3 century BC.

The only one settlement known today in Dikiy Garden (Wild Garden) dates from XII-X century BC. On it's small territory several temples of different types were found.

In V century BC the residents of ancient Greek town - Olvia (49 km from Nikolaev) built the temple of Apollo, the son of Zeus, curative and prophet God. The visitors of the city can see the altar of this temple when they come there.

The most ancient orthodox temple on Nikolaev land is known from the ancient documents. This is Glorious Maiden Monastery in Vitovka ( it is a city's district) that have been ravaged by Tatar-Mongols in 1233-1236.

There are a lot of information found from ancient documents about the temples that were built on Nikolaev land by Cossacks during the time of Zaporozhskaya Sech.

The construction of the temples in young town Nikolaev had been begun from the first days of the existence (in 1789, 5 years before the foundation of Odessa). By 1810 there were several stone temples: Greek - 4, Catholic -1, Temple of Old Belief -1, Jewish House of Prayers -1.

By 1869 the church worships took place in 18 churches and houses of prayers. The Governors, City Chiefs, architects, merchants and the residents of the city were the initiators of the construction of new churches that had been active till 1915.

The churches and cathedrals survived in hard times of 1917-1990. To carry out different political and economical campaigns the bells were taken off the temples, rare church relics made of gold, platinum, silver and precious stones and rare church books were withdrawn. Part of the churches and chapels were demolished, part of them were turned into schools, clubs, museums. Some temples were destroyed during the wars that Nikolaev had gone through.

In 1800 the Virgin Nativity Cathedral was built in the center of Nikolaev. In 1817 not far from it the Saint-Nikolsky Cathedral was erected. Since 1807 the worships took place at the Church of All Saints. Another churches - The Church of Saint Spirit was built in 1857 and the Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky in 1886.

The church of Kasperovskaya Mother Mary Icon Church is aged of 100 years already ( built in 1908). This icon was brought to the city every day in summer. It was taken to the houses of sick people. This icon helped the people to recover.

In 1896 the Roman Catholic Church was rebuilt (the part of the construction with the dome survived since 1794).

The Lutheran Church that stands in the center of the city turned 150 years! Not far from the main city street there is Judaic Synagogue (built in 1822 and 1863).

THE VESTA TEMPLE IN WILD GARDEN.

Long ago in ancient Rome the sanctuary was erected in honour of the Fire and Home hearth Goddess. On July 9 all the residents of Rome were obliged to visit this temple bare footed and ask the Goddess of her guardianship. There was no her picture in the temple but the fire was always on.

In 1827 a beautiful stone summer-house appeared in Nikolaev. The project was developed by 16 years old architect for the country estate of the Chief Commander in the city. The architectural ensemble "Rotunda" that also included the temple appeared on the high side of the Wild Garden that in the past were the places of ancient settlements. The city's Governor Aleksander Greig commemorated the rotunda with the stone columns to his wife Julia in honour of their first son's birth.