The Acoustics of Ancient Theatres
International Symposium
Verona - Italy, 6 to 8 July 2022
Review of sixteen Pskov churches equipped with acoustic vessels
Nikolay Kanev
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58874/SAAT.2022.163
Abstract:A lot of worship spaces with acoustic cavities of different sizes and forms are known today due to a number of reviews and studies published last decades. Pots, jars and other vessels were used in church architecture of the Middle Ages in many European countries. During this period the practice of using such devices was widespread in Russia as well, but the most impressive heritage was given by the Pskov architectural tradition. The churches built there from the 13th to 16th centuries were equipped with hundreds of the acoustic vessels. For various reasons, many churches have not survived to this day, but a significant number of them still exists. This paper reviews sixteen Orthodox churches in Pskov, which were built from 1243 till 1586 and have a lot of acoustic vessels. The biggest number of vessels is observed in the Peter and Paul Church. In spite of its small volume which is only about 1300 m3, there are 326 vessels installed in the drum, pen- dentives and walls. Ten churches have more than 100 vessels, the smallest number is 42. Description of the churches and analysis of the location of the vessels on inner surfaces are presented.
Keywords:resonator, archaeoacoustics, medieval architecture
Pages:119-122
Paper: