Emergency Conservation & Structural Stabilisation of the Historic Assumption Church Bell Tower
SPAS-KAMENNY MONASTERY
Ivan Strelbitskii was involved in the emergency conservation, structural stabilisation and restoration of the surviving Assumption Church bell tower at Spas-Kamenny Monastery.
The project addressed severe structural damage caused by the destruction of adjacent monastery buildings, including major cracking, loss of vaults and lintels, deterioration of historic brickwork and instability within the lower tiers of the tower.
The project addressed severe structural damage caused by the destruction of adjacent monastery buildings, including major cracking, loss of vaults and lintels, deterioration of historic brickwork and instability within the lower tiers of the tower.
HISTORIC CONTEXT
A surviving 16th-century structure within a severely damaged monastery complex
Spas-Kamenny Monastery developed on a small island in Lake Kubenskoye. The Assumption Church and bell tower were built in the 1540s and became the principal historic structure to survive the later destruction of the monastery complex.
During the 20th century, major monastery buildings were demolished. The blast associated with this destruction had a severe impact on the surviving bell tower and adjoining structures.
During the 20th century, major monastery buildings were demolished. The blast associated with this destruction had a severe impact on the surviving bell tower and adjoining structures.
STRUCTURAL CONDITION
Blast damage, lost vaults and major cracking
The lower levels of the bell tower had suffered severe structural damage. The first-tier vault had collapsed completely, while the resulting horizontal thrust produced long penetrating cracks through the walls of the first and part of the second tier.
Arched lintels over windows and openings had also failed, while prolonged exposure led to erosion of brick surfaces and loss of decorative masonry.
Arched lintels over windows and openings had also failed, while prolonged exposure led to erosion of brick surfaces and loss of decorative masonry.
EMERGENCY STABILISATION
Securing the damaged masonry before reconstruction
Before detailed structural work could proceed, debris was removed and major cracks were temporarily rebuilt with brickwork.
The lower structure had expanded following the blast and could not simply be returned to its original geometry, so stabilisation measures had to work with the surviving historic fabric.
The foundations, formed from large granite boulders without mortar, were also considered vulnerable and were strengthened externally with a reinforced-concrete band after stabilisation of the first-tier walls.
The lower structure had expanded following the blast and could not simply be returned to its original geometry, so stabilisation measures had to work with the surviving historic fabric.
The foundations, formed from large granite boulders without mortar, were also considered vulnerable and were strengthened externally with a reinforced-concrete band after stabilisation of the first-tier walls.
HISTORIC BRICKWORK REPAIR
Conserving damaged masonry while retaining original fabric
Brickwork repair proceeded across the tower.
Where historic bricks had eroded severely, individual units were carefully removed and replaced. Minor losses were repaired with a compatible material formulated to approximate the strength, porosity and colour of the original brick.
Where historic bricks had eroded severely, individual units were carefully removed and replaced. Minor losses were repaired with a compatible material formulated to approximate the strength, porosity and colour of the original brick.
RECONSTRUCTING THE STRUCTURAL RING
Re-establishing the support system at the base of the lost vault
Before reconstructing the missing first-tier vault, the supporting perimeter had to be strengthened to resist the horizontal thrust generated by the new structure.
Investigation revealed the remains and voids of an earlier timber ring embedded within the historic masonry. The decayed timber had disappeared, leaving continuous cavities within the wall.
These voids were opened and cleaned. A steel reinforcement cage was inserted and the cavities were filled with masonry fragments and a cement-sand-lime grout, creating a new reinforced structural belt within the existing wall thickness.
Investigation revealed the remains and voids of an earlier timber ring embedded within the historic masonry. The decayed timber had disappeared, leaving continuous cavities within the wall.
These voids were opened and cleaned. A steel reinforcement cage was inserted and the cavities were filled with masonry fragments and a cement-sand-lime grout, creating a new reinforced structural belt within the existing wall thickness.
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST-TIER VAULT
A new structural element within historic fabric
After the reinforced perimeter belt had cured, a new vault was constructed over the first tier.
A reinforced-concrete solution was selected to provide predictable structural behaviour and to create a clear distinction between the new intervention and the surviving historic masonry.
A reinforced-concrete solution was selected to provide predictable structural behaviour and to create a clear distinction between the new intervention and the surviving historic masonry.
Reinforcement cage for the reconstructed vault
SECOND-TIER STABILISATION
A more limited intervention where historic fabric remained sound
The vault over the second tier was in substantially better condition.
Instead of repeating the full reconstruction used below, the supporting contour was strengthened using a steel band embedded within the masonry and tensioned mechanically. After installation, the brick facing was restored.
Instead of repeating the full reconstruction used below, the supporting contour was strengthened using a steel band embedded within the masonry and tensioned mechanically. After installation, the brick facing was restored.
RESTORING THE BELL TIER
Reconstruction of the floor and access structure
After stabilisation of the internal stairway and surrounding masonry, the floor of the bell tier was reconstructed.
A steel U-beam frame was installed using existing pockets from the former timber structure, providing the basis for the restored floor.
Timber rafters and boarding were then arranged with falls to allow rainwater to drain from the centre toward the perimeter.
A steel U-beam frame was installed using existing pockets from the former timber structure, providing the basis for the restored floor.
Timber rafters and boarding were then arranged with falls to allow rainwater to drain from the centre toward the perimeter.
CONSERVATION OF HISTORIC ALTERATIONS
Retaining evidence of the building’s later history
Not every later intervention was removed.
Existing metal ties beneath the upper vault, probably introduced in the 19th century to replace earlier timber elements, were retained because the surrounding masonry remained stable and the ties had become part of the monument’s structural history.
Existing metal ties beneath the upper vault, probably introduced in the 19th century to replace earlier timber elements, were retained because the surrounding masonry remained stable and the ties had become part of the monument’s structural history.
ARCHITECTURAL RESTORATION
Reinstating lost architectural elements after structural stabilisation
Once the emergency structural works were complete, architectural restoration could proceed.
Missing and damaged arched lintels were reconstructed, and the historic roof profile with its lancet-shaped decorative arches was reinstated.
Surviving bases of the original arches were found beneath the later simplified roof, while missing elements were reconstructed using comparison with analogous churches and bell towers of the same period.
Missing and damaged arched lintels were reconstructed, and the historic roof profile with its lancet-shaped decorative arches was reinstated.
Surviving bases of the original arches were found beneath the later simplified roof, while missing elements were reconstructed using comparison with analogous churches and bell towers of the same period.
PROJECT SCALE
31 m
Height to the base of the cross
1.5–1.7 m
Typical first-tier wall thickness
2 m
Thickness of the western wall
14.7 m
Level of the ringing tier
Height to the base of the cross
1.5–1.7 m
Typical first-tier wall thickness
2 m
Thickness of the western wall
14.7 m
Level of the ringing tier
CONSERVATION OUTCOME
The project combined emergency stabilisation, structural reconstruction, masonry conservation and architectural restoration.
The intervention reinstated structural continuity within severely damaged lower tiers while retaining significant surviving historic fabric and selected later structural alterations that had become part of the monument’s history.
Following completion of the bell-tower works, reconstruction of the adjoining refectory and monastic chambers could proceed.
The intervention reinstated structural continuity within severely damaged lower tiers while retaining significant surviving historic fabric and selected later structural alterations that had become part of the monument’s history.
Following completion of the bell-tower works, reconstruction of the adjoining refectory and monastic chambers could proceed.
Discuss a Conservation Project
Ivan is available for independent consultancy, technical review and professional collaboration on historic structures requiring assessment, stabilisation and conservation.
