Outgoing beauty: 15 wooden churches of the Russian North

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Wooden buildings are a distinctive part of Russia's architectural heritage, especially in traditional villages in the north of the country. For more than a thousand years, until the 18th century, literally all buildings were erected from wood, including houses, barns, mills, princely palaces and temples. It all started with simple wooden domes, but over the centuries wooden architecture in Russia has reached such a degree of grace that the beauty of some of these religious complexes is still admired today. The traditional wooden churches of the north of Russia are especially interesting.

Working without hammers and nails, Russian architects erected such incredible structures as the 24-domed Church of the Intercession in Vytegra (built in 1708 and burned down in 1963) and the 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration on the island of Kizhi (built in 1714).

None of the first wooden churches have survived, but some cathedrals built at the beginning of the 18th century managed to survive as many harsh winters and the persecution of the church by the communists, when for almost a hundred years the magnificent churches were burned or desecrated. Most of the miraculously preserved churches are now in a state of decay and desolation.

When the famous artist and illustrator of Russian folk tales Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin visited the northern part of Russia at the end of the 19th century, he saw these unique wooden churches with his own eyes and literally fell in love with them. With his photographs taken during a trip to the north, Bilibin managed to draw people's attention to the deplorable state of wooden churches. It was thanks to his efforts and the sale of postcards that money was raised to restore 300-year-old churches. But since then, almost a century and a half have passed, and many wooden churches in the Russian North need restoration again.

1. Kizhi churchyard

Kizhi or Kizhi Pogost is located on one of the many islands of Lake Onega in Karelia. This architectural ensemble includes two beautiful 18th century wooden churches and an octagonal bell tower (also made of wood), which was built in 1862. A real gem of Kizhi architecture is the 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration with a large iconostasis - a wooden altar partition covered with religious portraits and icons.

The roof of the Transfiguration Church in Kizhi was made of fir planks, and its domes were covered with aspen. The design of these intricate superstructures also provided an efficient ventilation system that ultimately kept the structure of the church from decay.

This massive church, about 37 meters high, was made entirely of wood, making it one of the tallest log structures in the world. Not a single nail was used during the construction.

During the 1950s, dozens of other churches from various parts of Karelia were moved to the island for conservation purposes, and today 80 historic wooden structures form the national open-air museum.

2. Church in Suzdal

In Suzdali (Vladimir region) you can find at least 4 interesting wooden churches built between the 13th and 18th centuries.

Some of them are exhibits of the Museum of Wooden Architecture, created in Suzdal.

3. Church of All Saints in Surgut

The temple in the name of all the saints who shone in the land of Siberia, built in Surgut, was restored in 2002 according to all the canons of Orthodox architecture - a wooden structure without a single nail. And they collected it at the very place where the Cossacks founded the city and built the first church.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in 1531 in the village of Peredki. Subsequently, it was transferred to the open-air museum of Vitoslavlitsa.

4. Church of Elisha the Pleasant on Sidozero

Church of St. prop. Elisey Ugodnik is located in the Podporozhsky District of the Leningrad Region on the shore of Lake Sidozero, not far from the Yakovlevskaya dacha village. Previously, not far from the village and in the immediate vicinity of the church was the village of Yakovlevskoe (Sidozero village). Now there are no residential buildings left next to the church - only on the other side.

Orthodox church, built in 1899. The building is wooden, on a stone foundation, but at the same time it has the forms of the Russian eclectic style, characteristic of stone architecture. Closed in the late 1930s. The fate of the church is sad: apparently, its value has faded in comparison with its luxurious and ancient neighbors - the temples in Soginitsy, Shcheleiki. Vazhin and Gimrek, who were even awarded the status of objects of cultural heritage (architectural monuments) of federal significance and comprehensive restoration in the 1970s, and, in general, feeling quite well.

The Church of Elisha on Sidozero was not included in any high lists (and guidebooks) in the middle of the last century, apparently because of its age and style, and now it is completely abandoned and neglected, came into disrepair - it probably has years left 5-10, until it turns into ruin … But what did not attract the proper attention of specialists in the 20th century - the stylish beauty of the church - after half a century is its indisputable and extremely attractive advantage

5. Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Suzdal

The Resurrection Church from the village of Potakino was transported to Suzdal. This church was created in 1776. The bell tower, which is built into the church itself, stands out especially in it.

6. Church of St. George the Victorious in Malye Korely

Initially, the Church in the name of St. George the Victorious was built in the village of Vershiny in 1672. During the reconstruction, it was transported to the Arkhangelsk State Museum of Wooden Architecture and Folk Art "Malye Korely".

7. Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God in Upper Sanarka

Verkhnyaya Sanarka is a small village in the Plastovsky district of the Chelyabinsk region. Once upon a time Cossacks lived here. Today, many people strive to visit this village in order to see a unique attraction - the wooden church of the icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hearken". This amazing church took three years to build - from 2002 to 2005.

The uniqueness of the church is that it was built according to the ancient Russian technology of wooden architecture. Builders specially traveled to Kizhi to learn this skill. It's hard to believe, but the temple was built without a single nail.

Wooden structures were impregnated with special substances that protect against fire and decay. Now the main attack from which all Russian wooden churches suffered - fire - is not terrible for this church.

The temple has an upper and a lower room, and at the same time it can accommodate 300 believers. The height of the church is 37 meters.

8. Church of St. Nicholas in Veliky Novgorod

9. Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Perm region

10. Church of the Resurrection of Christ from Patakino

11. Temple in Chukhcherma

12. Temple of the Vladimir Icon of God, Podporozhye village

The Church of the Vladimir Icon of God, built in 1757, today is a monument of federal significance. The temple stands on the high bank of the Onega River. Outwardly, the temple is strong enough, the "sky" has been preserved from the interior. In some places the roof was destroyed. The central part of the temple sinks down and pulls the adjacent borders. Serious restoration work is needed.

13. Temple of the Great Martyr George the Victorious, the village of Permogorye

Monument of federal significance. The temple is located on the banks of the Northern Dvina and is unique with three domes on a kreshata barrel. In 2011, the board on the roof of the refectory was replaced, the roof was partially repaired around the perimeter, and a drainage ditch was dug around the temple.

14. Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Nimenga village

The village is located on the shores of the White Sea. The Nimenga River picturesquely bends around the temple from three sides. The photos were taken in June at two in the morning. The temple is very large in size. Restoration is currently required.

15. Chapel of the Monks Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky, the village of Semenovskaya

This is how the chapel of Venerable Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky looks like after restoration work

The temple of the Holy Spirit in Talashkino near Smolensk, built by Roerich, is also of great interest.