Church of St. John at Opoki

One of Novgorod’s oldest and most architecturally complex monuments stands in the northern part of Yaroslav’s Court. The name “Opoki” is usually linked to chalky limestone or white clay, though another interpretation refers to a marshy former streambed. According to chronicles and archaeological evidence, Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich founded the stone Church of St. John here in 1127 in honor of his son; construction was completed in 1130, by which time the son had died. The original six-pillar cathedral with a narthex measured 24.6 m by 16 m and probably had galleries, a stair tower, vaulted roofing and frescoes. In 1184 the prince transferred the cathedral to Novgorod merchants under a special charter that made it an administrative center of the Market, established a commercial court and kept official standards of measures and weights there. This role lasted until the 17th century. The church was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1453 Archbishop Euthymius II dismantled it to the foundations and rebuilt it on the old base. A major rebuilding followed in 1548, adding a vaulted floor, hipped roof, wider windows, a north portal and a large gallery. Further changes came in the late 17th century; only the lower walls, up to 1.2 m high, survive from that phase. In 1825 the gallery was enlarged, two side chapels were added and a stone bell tower was built. The gallery and bell tower were removed in 1930. World War II caused severe damage: the roof, much of the drum and many vaults were lost. T. V. Gladenko led restoration in 1952–1953. In 1979 P. A. Rappoport carried out archaeological and architectural research that clarified surviving 12th-century fabric. Later restoration revealed 15th-, 16th- and 17th-century forms, rebuilt vaults, arches and the drum, and strengthened the masonry. Today the building is a large three-level, three-apse, single-domed cathedral with galleries in the west and two wall staircases linking the basement, main space and galleries. Its façades preserve windows and decorative details from different periods.