Nikolo-Zaretsky Church

"In Tula's Zarechye district, at 12 Oruzheyny Lane, stands a remarkable church that can be called a true chronicle of the city. The Nikolay-Zaretsky Church is more than just a place of worship, but a symbol of spiritual fortitude, having survived fire, destruction, and oblivion.

The church's history begins in the early 18th century. In the 1730s, Akinfiy Demidov, one of the most influential people in Russia at the time, invested in the construction of a stone church to replace the old wooden one. He was also supported by other Tula merchant families—the Batashevs, the Lyalins, and the Korotkovs. Thus, one of the city's richest and most beautiful churches was born, soon nicknamed "Nikola the Rich."

The architecture is in the Petrine Baroque style, lending the building a distinctive elegance. A fascinating feature is the bell tower, which was originally connected to the second floor of the church by a metal gallery with an openwork lattice.

But nothing lasts forever. In 1779, a massive fire destroyed half of Zarechye, and the church suffered significant damage. However, thanks to the efforts of parishioners, by 1803 the church had been restored, and the walls were covered with new frescoes.

One of the church's main attractions is the Demidov family vault. This is the only church burial site for the first generations of famous metallurgists. In 2013, the Demidov Necropolis Museum opened here, where you can learn about the life and contributions of this dynasty.

Like many churches, the church was closed in 1934. Over the years, it housed a grain storage facility, warehouses, and then became a residential building. It was only in 1999 that the church was returned to the Tula Diocese, and its rebirth began.

Why visit the Nikolo-Zaretskaya Church?
• This is a rare example of Petrine Baroque in Tula. • The unique Demidov burial vault is located here.
• The restored interior, with elements of ancient paintings, transports you back to the 18th century.
• The church houses a Sunday school, a library, and a museum.

The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Zarechye is more than just an architectural monument; it is a living history, full of tragedies and revivals. Having survived fire, closure, and destruction, it has reopened, preserving the spirit of old Tula."

Aleksandr F

"The temple was built by the Demidovs, now it is a functioning church. The inside is very beautiful, the iconostasis is made of porcelain and painted with gold leaf. There are beautiful frescoes on the walls and ceilings. There is a miracle in the temple: glass with the image of Matrona. Matrona’s face was miraculously imprinted on the glass, and nothing has happened to it for many years. In the temple you can write notes and light a candle.
There is a weapons museum nearby."

Крис

"The restored church with the bell tower looks very elegant, and inside it is very pleasant to attend the service. During the May holidays we witnessed a wedding, and before that the christening of several babies - magnificent services! Here is also the burial vault of the Demidovs, who built this church."

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