Russian wooden church. Kizhi: monuments of wooden architecture of Russia

In Russia, the construction of wood has long been a matter of routine, and in the regions where the forest dominates the century, ancient architects have reached truly incredible heights in this craftsmanship. Until now, numerous evidences of their amazing talent have been preserved: beautiful, harmonious buildings, elaborately carved details, fine carvings - and carpenters mostly worked with an ax that was not at all designed to create exquisite lace, which is sometimes decorated with wooden buildings of antiquity.

Beech of wooden buildings

Up to now, not all examples of medieval architecture have reached. A huge number of wooden churches died during the fires - the fire devoured whole cities, sparing nothing. Ancient chronicles mention built or destroyed grandiose buildings dating back to the 1st century AD. After reading the records, we learn that in 1183 almost all of Vladimir (and including 32 churches) burned down. In 1369, the same fate befell Pskov, in 1636 - the Archangel Monastery.

However, the scourge of wooden buildings is not only the element: the tree, with all its merits - the material is short-lived. Residential building can stand about one century, the cult (with proper care) - 3-4.

The Vanishing Legacy

There are only three buildings that were built in the XIII-XIV century (and not all researchers are sure of it). So, the period before the 16th century is dated to the Church of Resurrection of St. Lazarus - a small, ancient wooden church erected in the Murom Monastery. Kizhi, a nature reserve on the island, in 1960, became its ultimate haven. Carefully restored by the architect Opolovnikov, it is part of the museum exposition of the Russian Zaonezhie region.

The other two, Riznolozhenskaya and Georgievskaya, are the pride of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and the Leningrad Region, respectively.

The vast majority of monuments of wooden architecture that survived to this day were created not earlier than the XVIII century, less often - XVI-XVII.

When the scientific world became interested in this type of architecture, many of its samples were lost hopelessly. Recovering, the researchers realized that it is necessary first of all to fix what has been preserved. "While we only have to travel, photograph, sketch ... these endless every year incomparable things" - wrote in the 20-ies the famous art critic, artist and educator academician I. Grabar. And they went and photographed and sketched, making attempts to keep the beauty that was disappearing literally through the fingers, and something was saved, and something - to restore according to the surviving documents.

Over time, society and the state realized how an invaluable monument of architecture is the Russian wooden church. Kizhi (one of the islands of Lake Onega) became a proof of this recognition, turning into a museum-reserve in the open air. Today, he demonstrates to his visitors amazing miracles created by the masters of the past.

Northern beauty

Particularly famous for the wooden buildings of the North of Russia - here architects showed such amazing talent, ingenuity and a sense of beauty that the travelers were only marveling. Especially often and enthusiastically talked about the Kizhi Pogost, which by the beginning of the twentieth century became so famous that even the Emperor Nicholas II bought a picture with his image ("In the Far North", the artist - Shlutleyt).

The climate in these places is inhospitable. Summer is short, winter frosty. In the cold season, except by helicopter, you can not reach: Kizhi is a harsh island, but is it only him? The nearby shreds of the land show a similarly sharp character: impassable thickets, deep rivers. Despite this, people settled here a very long time, a millennium ago. The very name of the island comes from the Karelian "kizhat" (in translation - "merrymaking"). Researchers associate this place with the ancient pagan festivities, which took place here in the old times.

Reserve

In the early 60-ies of the last century on the island of Kizhi (Karelia) began to form a reserve, which was opened in 1966. From this moment the wooden churches of Kizhi Island began to multiply: many preserved wooden buildings from different parts of Karelia have been brought here.

The nearest town is Petrozavodsk (68 km), but you can get there from St. Petersburg, on a comfortable modern boat (since Kizhi is an island, you can get to it only by water).

A simple pier welcomes those who wish to join the beautiful. From here a wonderful view opens: before the travelers in all its glory appears the temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord - perhaps the most famous in the set of images here is the wooden church. Kizhi proudly bears on its shores a building that stands against the backdrop of a bright sky, which captivates travelers with its peculiar beauty.

Legends and weekdays of the island

According to one legend, an ingenious carpenter named Nestor cut it down with one ax, which, after the completion of the construction, was thrown far into the lake, so that no one could repeat his work. Not otherwise, this instrument was magical - the wooden structure is surprisingly good.

An outstanding work of ancient Russian architecture, the Transfiguration Church in Kizhi was built in 1714. Today this remarkable work of art belongs to valuable monuments not only in Russia: UNESCO recognized the architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost as a world heritage.

Reconstruction of the structure is carried out regularly. Since the foundation of the church is practically not there (some kind of its similarity is brought only under one corner of the building), during repair work it is simply carefully raised with the help of modern technology.

The most famous church of the island

The building looks grand: the 37-meter Transfiguration Church in Kizhi high and proudly lifts its domes, which, silvery sparkling, climb up to the sky in a gradual manner. In the XIX century they were finished with iron, but later the restorers restored the original form to the temple. The plots (wooden plates with which the wooden domes of the past owe their charming "scaly" appearance) were, as expected, made of aspen (its wood under the influence of wind, sun and water acquires a unique silver glow).

The Church of the Transfiguration in Kizhi refers to a kind of octagonal tiered churches - at the base of the structure lie octagonal log buildings, installed on top of each other. In this case, they are supplemented by four tiers facing north, south, west and east. Many people mistakenly claim that the most famous church (Kizhi) is built without nails. This is true only for the carcass, the traditional carpenters of those times. But the nails (of course, not iron) were used to create domes, which from this did not lose.

The construction was forced: from an impact of lightning the old wooden church standing on this place occupied itself - the Kizhi did not escape the most widespread danger, which constantly threatens the structures of the past. And the forerunner of this remarkable building was the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin in the Vologda region: a very recognizable cascade of domes (this church, unfortunately, has not survived to this day - as a result of criminal, unforgivable negligence, it was also destroyed by fire, but in 1963).

Church of the Intercession and the Belltower

The Church of the Intercession also belongs to the ensemble of the churchyard: Kizhi, as already mentioned, are an example of the traditional cult construction of the past. This winter (heated) temple was built (according to other sources, restored) in 1764, replacing a dilapidated building that has become unusable.

It is smaller and more modest than its magnificent neighbor: 10 meters lower and carries only nine domes - the largest of all, central, surrounded by eight smaller ones.

Temples of similar outlines are quite common among the monuments of wooden architecture of Northern Russia, but the Intercession Church of the ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost is favorably distinguished by elongated, graceful lines. The silhouette of the church is somewhat asymmetrical, and the original domes, mounted on wooden octahedrons, give the whole building a charming airy, capable of conquering the hearts. Kizhi is truly magnificent, an island where beauty is not only unique, but also multifaceted.

Another element of the composition is the tent (by the type of roof) bell tower. The building that reached us was built in 1863 instead of a dilapidated building of the same purpose. Later, it was subjected to alterations, during which its upper part changed, as well as some decorative elements.

All three buildings in ancient times were surrounded by a skilfully constructed hedge that has not survived to this day. Restored it much later, relying on local traditions of carpentry.

Wonderland

Kizhi Pogost, of course, is the center of the exposition, but on the island you can see other amazing buildings (altogether 89 objects). In its own way, every wooden church is beautiful. Kizhi is the best place to be sure of it. The oldest of them, mentioned above, dates from the 14th century and is a charming construction of simple, uncomplicated outlines. The church crowns only one dome (and if it were not for him to guess that this is a cult structure, it would be problematic). In addition to churches, the museum has many chapels, nestled in picturesque places so naturally, as if they grew up right here from the ground.

Human genius and nature

It should be noted that the ancient Russian wooden church always very harmoniously fits into the surrounding space. They say that the local masters had a treasured guide to action, which ordered to build so "how beauty and measure will tell". I must say that they could do it the best they could. Buildings erected and decorated with the help of the simplest tools, touch with serious force.

It's worth to come here. The beauty of this place will not be able to convey even the best quality photos. Kizhi, whose wooden churches are famous throughout the world, belong to those corners of Russia that you should see with your own eyes. Wander through the meditative northern sky, admire the splendor of nature, feel the breath of deep antiquity, with which the islands and waters of Lake Onega are covered. This excursion is not only interesting - it enriches spiritually. Here and in vain you can hear the notorious "hubbub of centuries" and touch the genius of nameless artists who managed to create an amazing beauty that did not obscure, but complemented nature.