The refectory chamber of the Simonov Monastery

The refectory in the Simon Monastery has been known on this site since the end of the 15th century. By the end of the XVII century, the building ceased to satisfy the needs of the monastic fraternity, and in 1677 the construction of a new building began under the leadership of P. Potapov. However, the appearance of the new building did not appeal to customers, the construction was stopped. In 1683-1685, a new building was erected under the guidance of the famous Moscow architect O. D. Startsev .

According to the style of architecture, the chamber belongs to the Moscow Baroque . From the east, the refectory church of the Holy Spirit adjoins the building, from the west there is a turret, on the upper tier of which the observation deck was originally located.

A unique feature of the building is the presence of a stepped tong on the western side, the design of which is sustained in the spirit of Western European mannerism . The walls of the building are decorated with "in chess" painting, which is a multi-color imitation of a rusticated surface.

Inside the chamber there is a hall in the entire width of the building, covered by a single vault. Such a bold decision became a prototype for the refectory chambers built in the New Jerusalem and Trinity Sergius Monasteries ( 1686 - 1692 ).

• Monuments of architecture of Moscow. T. 5. Moscow, 1994.

• Photofixation of the refectory and elements of its external decoration (inaccessible link)