Kizhi island is about 7 km long and 0.5 km wide. It is surrounded by about 5,000 other islands, most of which are very small—some of them just rock outcroppings (called "skerries"), though some are as big as 35 km long. The entire island of Kizhi is a museum with many historically significant and beautiful wooden and log structures including windmills, chapels, boat- and fish-houses, saunas, barns and graneries, and homes. There are two small villages on the island that are home to a few local fishermen. Museum staff also live in the old log homes found in these villages.
About 50 people live here year round through the unmerciful winter, when the temperature drops to 35 & 40 degrees below zero, but come summer, the beautiful island welcomes visitors to explore Russian life.
The Kizhi Pogost, as it is known in Russian, is the area inside the perimeter wall or fence and includes 2 large churches and a bell-tower.
The Transfiguration Church in the center of the picture.
Docking area of hydrofoils.
Color pencils with russian doll decoration.
View of docking area for cruise ships.
The Church of Transfiguration is the pinnacle of wooden architecture in Russia . It embodies the previous experience and the highest achievements of carpentry craft of several centuries. The church design seeming too complicated at first glance reveals a precise and clear architectural idea. The church building is based on the cruciform layout formed by the central eight walls (octahedron) with four apses directed to the four cardinal points. The churches of this type are called “an octahedron with four apses” or “a round 20-walled church”. Due to its centralized design the church doesn't have one main facade; it looks beautiful from all the sides. The pyramidal silhouette of the church is imparted by the three octahedrons set one upon another, each following octahedron being smaller than the previous one (18, 6 and 3 meters , respectively). Together with the apses they make a picturesque five-tiered composition.
The massive Transfiguration Church (also known as the "summer church") is about 30m tall, making it one of the tallest log structures in the world. It was built in 1714. Thirty thousand shingles, made of aspen wood, on twenty-two separate cupolas (domes) on five tents compose the ascending nest. The aspen wood reflects a myriad of hues changing the color of the cupolas depending on the light. A spectacular sight and hard to believe it was done with wood.
Kizhi Pogost on the right side. Fire boat dock on the left side.
Guess who?
The Green group.
The Transfiguration Cathedral was built in 1714. Thirty thousand shingles, made of aspen wood, on twenty-two separate cupolas (domes) on five tents compose the ascending nest. The aspen wood reflects a myriad of hues changing the color of the cupolas depending on the light. A spectacular sight and hard to believe it was done with wood.
The GCT Green group.
These structures were erected without any nails or other metal, and were made of scribe-fitted horizontal logs, with interlocking corner joinery—either round notch or dovetail—cut by axes. The pine trees used for wall construction were brought to Kizhi from the mainland nearby—a notable transport feat for the 18th century.
The Kizhi Pogost with the 2 churches and the bell tower.
Russian beauty welcoming visitors.
The Sauna Bath house.
In 1951 the Oshevnev's house was moved to the island, this was the beginning of the open-air museum of history and architecture. One can visit the large wooden house, a typical family home for approximately 15 people.
The house living area is upstairs on the second level. It has a large room for the family to use as a kitchen with table and work area for the women.
The large wood burning heater/oven served two room and beds were made on and around it, with the eldest getting the warmest places.
The house living area is upstairs on the second level. It has a large room for the family to use as a kitchen with table and work area for the women. The shelves close to the ceiling are used to keep prepared food out of children's reach.
Entering the second room.
The families' most prized possessions including their best china, were kept in the second room or guest bedroom.
Second room of house.
The third room is an enormous room used all winter as a work room and to house their boats and sleds, tools and other large items they needed. They grew all their food during the summer months and stored it for the winter.
The third room is an enormous room used all winter as a work room and to house their boats and sleds, tools and other large items they needed.
Penny Hamlin at the fishing contest.
Bathhouse - Early 20th century. Was moved from the village of Mizhostrov, Medvezhegorsk district, Karelia. Material : pine. Restored in 1973 according to the design of Architect A.V. Opolovnikow.
The House of Peasant ELIZAROV. 1860-1880. Was moved from the village of Potanivschchina, Medvezhegorsk district, Karelia. Material : pine. Zaonezhiye variant of Northern Russian complex with dwelling quarters and a working part ( cattle-shed, shed. hayloft ) under one roof.The house has unvented system of heating ( " black house " ). Restored in 1959-1961 according to project of A.V. Opolovnikov.
Peasant Elizarov's yatch. Just kidding.
THE CHAPEL OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL - 17th - 18th century. Was moved from the village of Lelikozero, Medvezhyegorsk district. MATERIAL: framework - pine, domes - aspen. An ecclesiastical building typical for Zaonezhye. The architectural impression is achieved by a double gable roof, double widening of the frame work and numerous decorative details. Restored in 1960-1961 according to the design of architect A.V Opolovnikov.
THE CHAPEL OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL - 17th - 18th century.
Church dome with bell ringer.
The architectural impression is achieved by a double gable roof, double widening of the frame work and numerous decorative details.
Windmill - 1928. Was moved from the Village of Volkostrov, Medvezhegorsk district. It was built by peasant N.A. Bikanin (1880-1958). MATERIAL: Framework - pine, Wings - birch. Windmills were used for grinding grain. The grindstone and grain bucket are on the upper floor while the flour bins and mortars with pestles are downstairs. Restored in 1961 according to the design of architect A.V. Opolovnikov.
Windmill - 1928. Was moved from the Village of Volkostrov, Medvezhegorsk district.
Windmill with Church of the Lazarus Resurrection in the background.
The Church of the Lazarus Resurrection. XIV-XVI century(?). Is the oldest monument of wooden architecture in Russia Was moved from the Murom Monastery located on Onega Lake shore (Pudozh district). MATERIAL: framework - pine, dome - aspen. According to the legend, it was built by Russian monk Lazarus of Murom, the founder of the monastery (1286-1391)
The GCT Green group posing in front of the Kizhi Pogost.
Fireboat guarding the Kizhi Pogost, even during winter time.
The large 22 domed Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island was not heated and it was used only during the summer months. This Intercession Church is a smaller wooden church, built about 1764, heated and known as the Winter Church. The building uses an architectural style typical of 19th century wooden churches: a rectangular base topped by an octagonal section. This bears eight wooden domes surrounding a larger central dome. A tenth dome tops a side chapel. As in the Church of The Transfiguration the walls are pine logs and the domes are covered with hand cut aspen shingles. The domes are similar to those on the Church of the Transfiguration but the cylindrical necks rest on octagonal pillars formed by interlocking log sections.
The large 22 domed Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island was not heated and it was used only during the summer months. This smaller wooden church, built about 1764, is heated and it's known as the Winter Church. The building uses an architectural style typical of 19th century wooden churches: a rectangular base topped by an octagonal section. This bears eight wooden domes surrounding a larger central dome. A tenth dome tops a side chapel. As in the Church of The Transfiguration the walls are pine logs and the domes are covered with hand cut aspen shingles. The domes are similar to those on the Church of the Transfiguration but the cylindrical necks rest on octagonal pillars formed by interlocking log sections.
The Wall of the Kizhi Pogost.
THE BELL TOWER. 1862. Restored in 1874. A religious building traditional for the Russian North. The design was influenced by the urban stone architecture. MATERIAL: framework and planking - pine, dome - aspen. Partly restored in 1954. In 1991, the Bell Tower entered the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
THE CHURCH OF THE INTERCESSION 1694-1764 (?). Was built on Kizhi Island as a winter, heated church. It is crowned with ten domes covered with aspen shingles. MATERIAL: pine, aspen. Church services were held till 1937. Now it is a functioning church since 1994. The Church was restored in 1956-1959 and entered the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1991.
Russian kitty cat.
Hovercraft carrying visitors to Kizhi Island.
Emergency Room.
This is so romantic.
Photographers taking a break.
