Trade historically played a special role in the life of Krasnoyarsk residents: almost every citizen went to the market every day for shopping or was engaged in this field. The city centre of trade had long been Starobazarnaya (Old Market) Square. But after Krasnoyarsk became a provincial capital, the authorities decided to establish a new shopping area. Later it was called ‘Novobazarnaya’ (‘New market’). This is the place depicted in the photo from the museum collection.
Soon after the square was founded, it became obvious that representatives of the merchant class and wealthy petty-bourgeois did not want to move their sales outlets from the old part of the city. As a result, a compromise was found — to trade on both squares and to open an arcade of shops on Starobazarnaya Square.
In 1860, the provincial authorities again tried to change the situation. Due to the fact that there were no basic amenities on Starobazarnaya Square, they banned trade there and ordered merchants to be based on Novobazarnaya Square. However, the new place also remained badly organized and unsuitable for large-scale trade. The authorities had to look for a compromise solution again: the old market was allowed to operate on a par with the new one. In addition, special shopping places appeared in both locations for the residents of the surrounding villages: on Starobazarnaya Square on Fridays, and on Novobazarnaya — every day, except Thursday and Friday.
For a long time, there were not even sidewalks on Novobazarnaya Square. The trade was actually conducted on the ground, which in spring and fall was a dirty mess. However, gradually shops and the stone rows of trading stalls appeared in a new place. Also, a new church was built there — the Cathedral in the name of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. It is noteworthy that the design was developed by the famous architect K. A. Thon. The construction of the church was approved on July 8, 1844, by Emperor Nicholas I. The foundation stone of the building was laid on July 15, 1845, by Preconsecrated Athanasius (Sokolov), Bishop of Tomsk, and Yenisei. After part of the walls collapsed in an earthquake in 1849, the construction of the church was renewed with the money of the Krasnoyarsk owner of gold mines Shchegolev.
The consecration the main altar of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God Cathedral took place on September 7, 1861. It was the fifth stone church in the city. Inside the cathedral, there was a library with more than 700 copies of rare books and magazines, which also attracted the attention of the educated public. So, Novobazarnaya Square got its second name — Novosobornaya (New Cathedral). After the revolutionary events of 1917 and the establishment of Soviet rule in the region, the cathedral was blown up on July 12, 1936, and later dismantled.
The changes also affected the square. In Soviet times, its appearance was radically changed. In 1937, a decree banning trade there was issued. The area was laid with asphalt and pavements, and the square received a new name — Revolution Square.
Soon after the square was founded, it became obvious that representatives of the merchant class and wealthy petty-bourgeois did not want to move their sales outlets from the old part of the city. As a result, a compromise was found — to trade on both squares and to open an arcade of shops on Starobazarnaya Square.
In 1860, the provincial authorities again tried to change the situation. Due to the fact that there were no basic amenities on Starobazarnaya Square, they banned trade there and ordered merchants to be based on Novobazarnaya Square. However, the new place also remained badly organized and unsuitable for large-scale trade. The authorities had to look for a compromise solution again: the old market was allowed to operate on a par with the new one. In addition, special shopping places appeared in both locations for the residents of the surrounding villages: on Starobazarnaya Square on Fridays, and on Novobazarnaya — every day, except Thursday and Friday.
For a long time, there were not even sidewalks on Novobazarnaya Square. The trade was actually conducted on the ground, which in spring and fall was a dirty mess. However, gradually shops and the stone rows of trading stalls appeared in a new place. Also, a new church was built there — the Cathedral in the name of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. It is noteworthy that the design was developed by the famous architect K. A. Thon. The construction of the church was approved on July 8, 1844, by Emperor Nicholas I. The foundation stone of the building was laid on July 15, 1845, by Preconsecrated Athanasius (Sokolov), Bishop of Tomsk, and Yenisei. After part of the walls collapsed in an earthquake in 1849, the construction of the church was renewed with the money of the Krasnoyarsk owner of gold mines Shchegolev.
The consecration the main altar of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God Cathedral took place on September 7, 1861. It was the fifth stone church in the city. Inside the cathedral, there was a library with more than 700 copies of rare books and magazines, which also attracted the attention of the educated public. So, Novobazarnaya Square got its second name — Novosobornaya (New Cathedral). After the revolutionary events of 1917 and the establishment of Soviet rule in the region, the cathedral was blown up on July 12, 1936, and later dismantled.
The changes also affected the square. In Soviet times, its appearance was radically changed. In 1937, a decree banning trade there was issued. The area was laid with asphalt and pavements, and the square received a new name — Revolution Square.
