Another historic site of Russia’s Golden Ring received its tactile model. “Art, Science And Sport” Charity Foundation of Alisher Usmanov in partnership with the Russian Ministry of Culture and with information support of TASS news agency presented a miniature copy of the Nativity Cathedral and the Archiereus House ensemble.
The street copy of the town’s most important architectural piece was installed within Suzdal kremlin. This is the heart of the town that will celebrate its 1000th anniversary in 2024.
The tactile model weighs about 500 kg and is made of bronze. Next to it, there is a plaque with information in Russian, English and in Braille.
“This is not just an art object or a mockup. <...> This is truly the second unique architectural monument because it is not simply sculpted: the tiniest details of the buildings’ architectural design are recreated here with utmost precision. Which means that this is not just a replica but, as we hope, a heritage object”, thus TASS news agency quotes Vladimir Plekhov, deputy chief of the Special View program of “Art, Science And Sport” Charity Foundation.
“The Nativity Cathedral and the Archiereus House ensemble is a unique architectural monument. Everyone must have the opportunity to enjoy this extraordinary building of historic and cultural importance”, says Olga Lyubimova, Russian Minister of culture.
The Nativity Cathedral and the Archiereus House ensemble became accessible for blind persons and people with visual impairments within the framework of the Special View at the Golden Ring project.
Thanks to this project, by 2023 it is planned to install tactile models of architectural monuments in eight Golden Ring towns. Earlier smaller versions of two historic sites accessible for people with visual impairments were presented in Uglich. The next monuments to be adapted for the people with visual impairments will be the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, the fire tower in Kostroma, the Trinity Lavra of Saint Sergius in Sergiyev Posad and the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl. Plaques with information about the sites written in Braille will be put near each model.
The Golden Ring is one of the most popular tourist routes in Russia. About 2 million tourists travel around it annually. This is why it is so important to make this route accessible for visually challenged persons.
Read more about inclusive tourism in this article at the Special View portal.
