Architects and construction of religious buildings in Bessarabia (Second half of the XIX century - 1917)

Abstract

Religious architecture in Bessarabia from the beginning of the XIX century to 1917 is the subject of special research, since many architects, who worked during this period designed the buildings of monasteries, Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches, chapels, houses of worship and synagogues. The creativity of such architects as Luka Zaushkevich, Alexander Bernardazzi, Leopold Scheidewandt, Karl Gasquet, George Cupcea, Mikhail Serotsinsky, Vladimir Tiganco, Lavrentii Lozinsky and others was especially vivid. Their heritage in church art is very diverse and worthy of careful study. On the one hand, the study opens new unknown pages related to the history of architecture and the creative practice in Bessarabia during the specified period. On the other hand, the newly discovered archival materials on this topic will be allow to reveal and supplement the authorship of many religious buildings in Bessarabia. The article examines both published materials and archival documents, some designs of religious buildings built in Bessarabia, due to which new facets of the talents of architects become more obvious and are of interest both for the history of architecture and, in general, for the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Republic of Moldova