The Masonic Temple in Kruhloozerka Village

The history of the temple

When Alexander I, the Emperor of Russia, was on the throne, the south of Ukraine became a significant center of Masonry’s activity. Back then, Freemasons lived in Odesa, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, and even in Kherson. So, there is no wonder the Masonic Temple is located in the Ukrainian village called Kruhloozerka. But how was it built here?

The history of the temple is a complete mystery. In 1803, Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, The Duke of Richelieu, moved to Odesa. He was the best friend of Alexander I. Together, they wanted to establish a city, where every resident will live a happy and fully-fledged life. Primarily, Odesa was under the wing of Catherine the Great. The Empress put new democratic ideals into practice here. It was unbelievable for the rest of the Russian Empire. In fact, Alexander I just tried to follow in his grandmother’s footsteps.

When the revolution broke out in France, emigrants fled the country and moved to Odesa, under the wing of The Duke of Richelieu. The entrepreneurs Wilhelm Ruvier and Charles Michel Potier were among emigrants.

The governor endowed Wilhelm Ruvier with the land to engage him in sheep farming and winegrowing. It is also known that Wilhelm Ruvier was a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Three Stars. The Order’s insignia (three stars) was depicted on Ruvier’s coat of arms. When Charles Michel Potier had married the daughter of Wilhelm Ruvier, he inherited the estate in Klarivka (former name of Kruhloozerka). It was Charles Michel Potier who built the Masonic Temple. Moreover, he established the lake from groundwater. Charles Michel Potier has calculated all parameters incredibly accurately, so the lake is still shaped like a circle.

As old-timers of Kruhloozerka told, the temple was also called “the church of landowners''. What’s interesting is that women didn’t go to the temple. But a lot of people came to worships even from Odesa. It may be assumed that the Masonic Lodges meetings were held at the temple. Noble Freemasons came here from all over Tavria region. There were many attempts to destroy the temple, but no one could ever do that.

The architectural style

It’s remarkable the building was not destroyed during protracted wars and revolutions all over Tavria. The Masonic temple has remained largely unchanged until the present day, only the roof was blown. The temple is an octagon-shaped rotunda with a domed roof. There are 8 round-headed windows on every border, 4 of them are blind. By playing of light and shadows, blind windows throw into sharp relief in the Masonic architecture. The entrance is on the south side, in front of the sea. It has an arch-shaped form.

The fascinating things about the temple

The round-shaped rotunda was built as the main architectural detail. It symbolizes stepping into the fourth dimension. Under the dome of the rotunda, the Freemasons were looking for divine inspiration and a way to reach the hub of the universe. Arch-shaped windows represent how the past and the future are woven together, and how a human soul seeks the way. Walking through the arch is believed to be the essence of the ages.

The number eight, Masonic emblem, is lined on the window, just on the right-hand from the entrance. It represents a snake, biting its own tail. In Masonic culture, the number eight is bolstered by mystical strength.

You would enjoy this place if you’re interested in Masonic history and conspiracy. An aura of mystery prevails here. It’s like time stands still, and you are at the turn of an inner breakthrough. Feelings are so strange and exciting!

How to get to the Masonic temple

You can get to Kruhloozerka village from Kherson by public transport. Buses from Kherson to Prymorske regularly depart from the bus station on the Ilka Borshchaka Street, 1.

You can also reach the temple by car. Just leave Kherson, follow the P57 route from Nova Zburiivka to Kruhloozerka. If you depart from Zaliznyi Port, you should drive Stepova Street.