Authorities in Veliky Novgorod have finalized project documentation for the preservation of two historic churches belonging to the Derevyanitsky Monastery, the regional office of Rosimushchestvo for the Pskov and Novgorod regions announced.

The restoration plans were prepared by the St. Petersburg firm Arkhrestproekt and the Krasnodar-based architectural bureau Nasledie. The projects cover the Resurrection Cathedral, dating from the 16th–18th centuries, and the Church of the Dormition with a refectory chamber, built in 1725. The Russian Ministry of Culture allocated about 4 million rubles for the development of the documentation.

According to the agency, the Novgorod Region will soon submit an additional request to the Ministry of Culture—this time for funding the full restoration of these federally protected heritage sites.

Founded in the 14th century on the banks of the Volkhov River, the Derevyanitsky Monastery was once an important spiritual center in the region. Its churches underwent multiple reconstructions: the current Resurrection Cathedral was built in 1700, while the Church of the Dormition was erected in 1725. The complex suffered extensive damage in the 20th century; worship ceased after the revolution, and during the Soviet era the buildings were used as a warehouse and a bakery. The monastery was further damaged during World War II.

The last major restoration effort took place in the 1960s–1970s, but the buildings have deteriorated once again. In recent years, three domes of the Resurrection Cathedral have collapsed, and remaining structures have been deemed unsafe.

The monastery complex is currently federal property. Rosimushchestvo noted that it had repeatedly proposed transferring the site to the Novgorod Diocese or the local museum-reserve, but institutions were unable to assume responsibility due to the high cost of project preparation, estimated at around 5 million rubles. Officials hope that the newly completed project designs will accelerate the start of restoration work and help preserve these unique examples of Novgorod architecture.