Kizhi is one of the most beautiful places in Russia. Museum - Kizhi. Description of the Kizhi Museum, interesting sights of Kizhi Island Interesting facts about the Kizhi Museum-Reserve

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In Karelia, on the wonderful Lake Onega, there is an incredibly beautiful, fairy island, called Kizhi. The island is considered an invaluable museum of architecture, the scale of which is simply amazing. Kizhi is an unusual place, which has been famous for its craft for many centuries, because many artists, as well as poets, lived and worked here. If anyone remembers the famous epics about Ilya Muromets or Vladimir the Red Sun, then it is worth saying that they were created precisely on the territory of this wonderful island.

Having visited the island for the first time, just setting foot on it amazing territory, you can feel a significant surge of energy, touch something bright and beautiful, breathe in clean air deeply and find out what real freedom is.

If you move to the recent past and study a little the history of the island, you can find out that there were as many as 14 villages here. Unfortunately, only two have survived to this day, which are called Vasilyevo and Yamka. One of the surviving villages, conveniently located on east coast famous Lake Onega. The second village is located on the western bank of this wonderful reservoir. Each village has only a couple of houses, but this did not become an obstacle for curious adventurers, so the indicated place is always full of tourists. Tourists from all over the world come here all year round, because landscapes such as those on this island are rare. Besides, this place is full of interesting monuments, and relaxing here seems simply divine.

Excursions are regularly held in the city of Kizhi to introduce tourists to this interesting and unusual place. River cruises on Meteora depart from Petrozavodsk, but there is not enough time to fully explore the unique nature of this place. To fully explore the island, see all the interesting natural places and attractions, you need to plan your travel route yourself.

The most popular attractions of Kizhi

Among the main attractions of Kizhi it is worth noting the Church of the Transfiguration. It was erected back in 1714, and not a single nail was used for its construction. The church has as many as 22 domes, which with their gilding complement the brightness of the sun. From a bird's eye view, the view of this temple will allow you to distinguish it from others, because there are no analogues to this unique monument. The temple is designed in such an interesting and original way that if you take into account the cuts, the appearance of a cross is formed on all four sides. The altar of this majestic temple faces the western side, but the refectory with a porch is conveniently located on the eastern side. The view from this porch is simply amazing and it simply mesmerizes tourists. By visiting this architectural monument, you can enjoy not only its beauty, but also fully embrace the settlements, villages and straits.

Inside, the temple radiates unearthly beauty. Everyone who comes here will feel complete peace. The altar in this majestic temple has 4 tiers, it is lined with a huge number of icons, the exact number of which is 102 pieces. The space inside is evenly filled with calm and peaceful light.

Such an architectural monument as the Church of the Intercession also deserves special attention. The temple was built back in 1764, it is wooden and has 9 domes, the shape of which is quite unusual, making the structure lighter and more original. The outside of the building is decorated with wooden pillars, but inside the temple looks very modest. If you compare it with the previous version. Unfortunately, in the course of history, the very first iconostasis of this building was not preserved, and the current one was completed during the restoration of the church in 1950.

The Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus can be included in the top three attractions of the island. History says that this landmark was built back in 1391. Overeating suggests that the church began to be built after St. Basil appeared to Lazarus. It is this temple that is considered the first building belonging to the Murom Monastery. The construction of this monastery was dedicated precisely Biblical history which talks about the resurrection of Lazarus. Local residents say that the temple has the power to heal from various ailments and it is because of this that this place has become a great center of pilgrimage.

What architectural monuments of Kizhi are still worth seeing?

There is also a Chapel of the Archangel Michael on the island, which is characterized as follows:

was transported to Kizhi from Lelikozero in 1961;

has a very picturesque appearance;

consists of 3 parts, which together form a rectangle;

the walls are built on the north side, and the window faces west;

the bell tower on top is successfully completed with a lush tent;

outside, the architectural monument is decorated with towels with circles and diamonds;

inside, in the center of the ceiling there is a large icon of Christ, and the evangelists are depicted in the corners.

In addition to this monument, there is also a Tent Bell Tower on the island. It was built back in 1863, but it was completely completed in 1874. The belfry tent is supported by 9 columns and ends with a dome with a cross. In total, the structure looks very interesting and harmonious. To illuminate the interior of the bell tower, there are 4 windows, which are made in the form of beautiful arches.

Continuing to travel around the island, tourists will be able to see a tall wooden palisade. Its original has not survived, but the reconstruction was able to accurately convey it. A copy was made already in 1959; in addition to these attractions, you can see ancient mills and barns on the island. All these attractions are collected throughout the region and delivered to the island, which has turned into a huge museum.

Oshevnev’s house can also be considered a popular place among tourists. It looks like Karelian houses that were built before the revolution. The building has two floors and is richly decorated with carvings. There is also an ancient windmill on the island, the likes of which can no longer be found.

What else is new and interesting on the island

Monuments and churches are, of course, good, but we must not forget about the amazing nature of this place. The island has a beautiful topography, a sparse forest stretches not far from the shore, meadows and the sun can be seen from afar, reflecting its glare in the lake. Many villages of the island went under water, but thanks to this, it was possible to create a unique museum here, which collected more than 50 thousand original, interesting and fascinating items. All these objects accurately tell about the life of the indigenous inhabitants of the region and it is thanks to them that history can be studied. On the island you can get closer to the following objects:

vintage women's jewelry;

original embroidery;

handmade toys;

household items and tools.

But the interesting aspects of Kizhi do not end there, because rare, original and interesting things still continue to be brought here. New exhibitions are constantly being developed, and tourists are invited to take part in master classes that introduce ancient crafts. Guests of the island who come here for the holidays can watch interesting performances and become active participants. You can get out here for a few days, choosing an accommodation option without any problems.

There are no hotels on the island, but it is quite possible to stay with local residents. Kizhi is unique place, which is worth a visit and you need to stay here for several days. To see all the monuments and enjoy the unforgettable nature, you can come here with the whole family, receiving an incredible charge of energy and vivacity. In general, tourists who want to visit Kizhi will definitely not regret it; it is simply a wonderful place that is definitely worth visiting. The island fascinates and attracts attention, allowing you to completely disconnect from city everyday life, delve into history, look at beautiful monuments and just have a great time. It’s worth coming here for great impressions and positive emotions.

Kizhi is most beautiful island, located in Lake Onega, in Karelia.

Discovered and inhabited since ancient times, Kizhi Island is huge museum architecture.

From time immemorial, Kizhi was famous for its craft. Once upon a time, artists and poets lived here, passing on their skills through generations. It was here that the epics about Ilya Muromets and Vladimir the Red Sun were created...

Having taken your first step on the island and inhaled the first breath of air, you begin to feel the spirit of bright antiquity and boundless freedom.

Once there were 14 villages on the island, but only two have survived - Yamka and Vasilyevo. One is located on the eastern shore of Lake Onega, the other is on its western shore.

The villages consist of several houses, but this does not stop tourists from all over the country from coming here all year round to admire the amazing landscapes and extraordinary beautiful monuments architecture

Excursions to Kizhi take place on Meteora from Petrozavodsk and as part of river cruises.

But you don’t have much time on the island, much less than when visiting the island of Valaam.

Therefore, you need to set your own priorities: What is interesting, what to see, what attractions to visit and see.

Perhaps the most important attraction is Church of the Transfiguration(1714). The church was built without a single nail and has twenty-two gilded domes, a bird's-eye view of which separates the temple from other architectural monuments of the island. The temple is designed in such a way that, together with the cuts on the four cardinal points, it forms a cross.

The altar faces west, and on the east side there is a refectory with a huge porch, the view from which is more than beautiful. Villages, straits, settlements are open to view.

The interior decoration of the temple creates an indelible feeling of peace. Inside there is an altar made in four tiers and lined with 102 icons, and the entire space is filled with calm and pure light.

Another beautiful temple - Church of the Intercession(1764). The temple is made of wood and has nine domes, the unusual shape of which gives the temple some lightness and airiness. The outside of the temple is decorated with wooden pillars.

Of course, the Church of the Intercession is inferior to the Church of the Transfiguration and is rather a complement to it.

The interior decoration is very modest.

The first iconostasis was lost in the course of history. The current iconostasis was made in 1950 during the restoration of the temple.

The third attraction that immediately attracts attention is Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus.

Tradition says that this temple was built by the monk Lazar himself, who died in 1391.

They also say that it was built thanks to the appearance of St. Basil the Reverend, Bishop of Novgorod, to Lazarus.

This temple later became the first building of the Murom Monastery.

The construction of the monastery is dedicated to the biblical event of the resurrection of Lazarus from Bethany, thereby strengthening people's faith in Jesus Christ.

Among local population There are rumors that the temple has healing powers for ailments. The Monk Lazarus was declared a saint, and his temple became a place of pilgrimage for believers from all countries.

The Chapel was once a landmark of the village of Lelikozero, but in 1961 it was moved to the island of Kizhi.

The Chapel looks very picturesque.

It consists of three parts and is presented in the form of a rectangle stretching from west to east.

A vestibule is attached to the chapel on the north side, and a window faces west.

In some places near the chapel you can see a double roof, when one roof seems to emerge from the other, surprising viewers with the skill and virtuosity of the architect. Above the entryway one can see a wonderful bell tower, which ends at the top with a lush tent.

The outside of the chapel is decorated with towels carved with diamonds and circles. The roofing board is red and ends in the form of a peak.

Inside the chapel there is a “sky”.

In the center of it is the icon of Christ the Temperant, and in the perimeter are the forefathers. In the four corners there are images of the evangelists.

While exploring the island, your gaze will certainly fall on Tent bell tower, built in 1863 on the site of the old bell tower.

In 1874, the bell tower was rebuilt, since it was not possible to complete the octagon.

The bell tower looks like a quadrangle on an octagon. Above the octagon rises a belfry and nine columns that support a tent ending with a dome with a cross. The quadrangle from north to south is cut through by a passage with large arches.

The interior of the bell tower is illuminated by four windows made in the form of arches and a large window in the octagonal wall.

No matter how you describe it on paper, you just have to see it to understand it.

Kizhi... they are like that.

A copy of the fence was recreated in 1959, in the likeness of the surviving fortifications.

In addition to ancient temples, there are others on Kizhi island, no less interesting places.

These are all kinds of mills, ancient huts and barns.

They are collected from all over the region and brought to the island museum to be recreated.

Among similar buildings, what stands out is Oshevnev's house.

It was brought from the village of Oshevnevo and has the appearance of Karelian houses before the revolution. This is a large, two-story building, decorated with various platbands and carvings.

Example of an outbuilding - barn, brought from the village of Kokkoyla.

Svetelka, brought to the island from the village of Oshevnevo, will tell us about the life of local peasants.

Do you think simple life not interesting? You're wrong... :)

And here it is wooden windmill, brought from Volkostrov to the island of Kizhi. There are no such mills in Karelia anymore.

But Kizhi is famous not only for its monuments.

The nature of the island is so stunning that it is simply impossible to take your eyes off such splendor.

Already approaching the island, you can see the fabulous outlines of the island’s topography, a strip of sparse forest stretches along the shores, meadows can be seen in the distance, the glare of the sun plays on the waves of the lake.

With the organization of dams on the Svir and the White Sea-Baltic Canal, many villages went under water. To preserve the unique heritage of Karelia, the Kizhi Museum-Reserve was created.

The museum has about 50 thousand various objects telling about the life of the indigenous peoples of the region.

On the island, tourists can see how in the old days they wove pearl earrings, women embroidered warriors, made toys and much more.

For half a century now, Kizhi Island has been a unique museum, striving to preserve all historical and architectural monuments Karelia.

Kizhi is constantly evolving.

Not only are new exhibitions opening, but the emphasis is shifting towards interactivity: craft shops and workshops where you can hold a master class and make an interesting Karelian toy yourself.

Take part in performances (but if you’re lucky, they are organized “on occasion”, for some holidays.

Be that as it may, you need to cherish every minute in Kizhi. There are no hotels here and you cannot go with accommodation for 2 or 3 days.

Of course, you can buy a simple tour to Karelia - stay in a hotel on the mainland, and visit Kizhi every day.

But this doesn’t make much sense: there are other interesting places in Karelia that are worth seeing: the same Marcial Waters, Ruskeala. Kivach waterfall and even a trip to Solovki (it’s not as far from Kizhi as it seems).

The excursion schedule should be built evenly to make the trip rich and interesting.

Why Kizhi?

Why did Kizhi become the place where they began to bring monuments from all over Karelia?

Kizhi Pogost - it was rich administrative center back in Tsarist Russia. Life here was in full swing even before Peter the Great.

Rich copper factories could provide money for the construction of the most unique churches. They sent ore to the weapons factories of Olonets and Petrozavodsk.

Industrialization bled Karelian villages, people moved to cities.

However, the trail of History passed through the Kizhi Pogost so strongly that there was simply no other similar place on the route of river cruises.

The protected island of Kizhi is a real museum under open air, located in Karelia on Lake Onega. Numerous attractions, including wooden churches built in classical Russian style, attract thousands of tourists every year. A trip to Kizhi will allow you not only to see with your own eyes all the beauty of the architecture of the north, but also to admire the untouched nature, which has been preserved here in its original form.

Description of the island

The convenient location of Kizhi in the northern part of Lake Onega, not far from the Zanevsky Peninsula, makes it easy to organize excursions here in the warm season. The total area of ​​the island is 5 square kilometers, so make walking tour and you can explore all the local attractions literally within a few hours. This open-air museum is located 68 kilometers from Petrozavodsk, in summer time years from regional center people come here every day river boats with a travel time of 1 hour and 15 minutes.

In winter, Kizhi can only be reached by helicopter or hovercraft, and excursions are difficult at this time of year. Therefore, from October to March, the Great Lip of Kizhi, where this island is located, is inaccessible to tourists.

Extremely interesting thematic tours from Moscow are organized, which include visits to various ancient cities of the Russian north. Tours to Karelia and Finland are popular, which allows you to see other countries and get to know the culture of your neighbors better.

The history of this island dates back to the X-XI centuries. ekah, when small Finnish and Baltic settlements on Kizhi became part of the Novgorod principality. Orthodox Christians appeared here in the 15th century; the first buildings of churches, which have been preserved in their original form to this day, date back to the same period.

In the 16th century, the creation of the Spassky graveyard began in Kizhi, considered one of the main attractions of the reserve and which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From time immemorial, artisans, poets and artists lived here, passing on their skills, preserving the original Old Russian style.

Today, Kizhi Island is the largest open-air museum-reserve in Russia. There are 89 monuments of wooden traditional architecture, numerous ancient chapels, barns and houses of local residents. The real pearls are the Church of the Transfiguration and the Kizhi Pogost, built in the 16th-18th centuries. ekakh in the style of Karelian architecture. Thematic excursions are extremely interesting, allowing you to get closer to the traditional way of life of the Russian north.

Main attractions

Numerous wooden churches, chapels and graveyards in the ancient Russian style have been preserved in Kizhi in their original form. Armed with various tourist brochures and guidebooks, you can either independently explore all the beauties of this island, or take advantage of the offer of local guides, who immediately upon arrival of tourists on River Station form small excursion groups. Organized tours They allow you not only to take a closer look at numerous local attractions, but also to listen to fascinating stories from professionals about the history of these places and its inhabitants.

Church of the Transfiguration

The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord on the island of Kizhi is clearly visible from anywhere on the island. The building is 11-storey high and is made in the traditional Russian style of architecture with wooden domes. A special feature of this building are 20 beautiful domes made of aspen and located at different heights. The frame of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was made by hand, without iron nails, tow or moss.

This church is interesting:

• unusual architecture;
• interior decoration;
• original construction technology.

Currently, the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord is active temple , where services are held every weekend. Inspection of the interior, preserved in its original form, is possible only on certain days and hours, so tourists need to check when the church is open to the public. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord is business card Kizhi Island and one of the most famous local attractions.

Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A small wooden church built in the original style with domes. Unlike the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the entrance to the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin is always open; in the entrance hall there is an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Kizhi parish and ancient Russian icon painting. The exhibition includes ancient paintings painted by both local artists and famous Russian masters.

The Church of the Intercession was built as a winter church, so services were held here only in severe frosts. The temple was built in traditional style northern culture architecture, with a winter road and a high bell tower. Construction took place over almost 50 years in the 16th-17th centuries. ekah. Not long ago the reconstruction of the church was completed. During the restoration of the structure, ancient technologies were used, and the work was carried out by local craftsmen who preserved the ancient methods of cutting logs. The church was built without a single nail and in full accordance with its previous appearance.

Eight-wing windmill

The wooden eight-wing windmill is one of the few monuments of industrial architecture that have reached us. Such buildings are typical exclusively for the north of Russia and Karelia. Due to their special shape, air mills were efficient, allowing them to grind grain or other grains quickly. In the sixties and eighties of the last century, when a museum was created on the island of Kizhi, this wooden building was practically destroyed and was subsequently restored by local architects using a few drawings and photographs.

The structure of the mill is extremely interesting, the building of which is located on movable wooden piles-supports. The internal frame is made axial, which allows it to cope with significant wind loads that are typical for Kizhi in autumn and winter. The structure itself can easily rotate, aligning its blades with the blowing breeze from the lake. Today, the mechanism is in good working order, so the mill is often used for its intended purpose.

The water mill, which was built in 1875, is also of great interest. She was brought to the island from the village of Berezovaya Selga. It was used in ancient times by local residents and worked on the basis of a completely wooden unique mechanism, which is still working today. The watermill is open to the public, and inside small museum This collection contains exhibits related to rural life of the 18th-19th centuries. Ekov.

Tent bell tower

The tented bell tower is another iconic landmark of Kizhi island, built in the original style, with high arched windows, an elongated and narrow silhouette. The single dome creates a feeling of lightness, reminiscent of the Gothic kirks of the Baltic states. This is one of the youngest buildings in Kizhi, erected on the site of an old dilapidated bell tower.

Every year, competitions of bell ringers are held in Kizhi, who come here from all over Russia. In the summer, numerous concerts of ancient music take place here, and getting to them is considered a great success for every lover of Russian folklore.

In total, there are 14 bells on the island, the heaviest of which was cast in St. Petersburg in the 19th century and weighs about 800 kilograms.

Wooden churchyard

The architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost is the most famous and significant exhibition site on the island. It includes the Churches of the Transfiguration and the Intercession, the Tent Bell Tower and a preserved old cemetery with a wooden palisade. The ensemble is located in the southern part of the island and is the center of the entire Kizhi Museum-Reserve. At the end of the 20th century, this attraction was included in the UNESCO Heritage List and today is protected by the state.

A special feature of this ensemble is the unique architectural ancient Russian style of architecture, preserved only in the far north in the Onega region. In the 50s of the last century, all three structures were surrounded by a powerful wall, the base of which was huge stone boulders. Such a three-meter fence makes a strong impression, organically complementing the ensemble of the three main attractions on the island of Kizhi.

Houses of peasants Oshevnev and Sergeev

The houses of the northerners who lived on the island in the 18th-19th centuries are of great interest to tourists. ekah. The most famous such attraction is the house of the peasant Oshevnev. This is a massive structure, built in the traditional style of Karelian architecture, skillfully decorated with carvings. The roof of the house covers both the main structure and outbuildings with a barnyard. Oshevnev could do business and care for animals without leaving home.

Today, the house of the peasant Oshevnev has been turned into a small museum, the exhibits of which allow you to get acquainted with the traditional life of the Russian north in the 17th-18th centuries. ekah. The building itself is authentic, including carved columns, window frames and interior decor. The interior has been completely recreated late XIX and the beginning of the 20th century. The exhibition includes various cradles, kitchen utensils, household and household items.

In Kizhi you can also see:

• numerous ancient baths;
• ancient pier;
• old cemetery.

Sergeev’s house, which was built at the beginning of the 19th century, is also perfectly preserved. The building has a square shape, is richly decorated with carvings, and the facades are painted in the traditional northern style. Inside you can see a small exhibition of folklore of Zaonezhye and applied art of Karelia. Items for the exhibition were collected not only from the island of Kizhi, but also from all over northern region Russia.

In total, there are six chapels on the island, revealing the richness and originality of the northern school of architecture. The unique buildings that have been completely preserved to this day are modest in size, similar to each other, but each is unique and original.

The following chapels are located on the island:

• Savior Not Made by Hands.
• Peter and Paul from the village of Volkoostrov.
• Signs of the Mother of God.
• Our Lady of Joy to All Who Sorrow.
• Kirik and Ulita.
• Bell tower of Varlaam Khutynsky.

The chapels are located not only on Kizhi, but also on nearby islands, so you can get to them by hiring a small boat with a guide. Such excursions are popular among tourists because they allow them to enjoy the beauty of the local northern nature and see the original original buildings.

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It is difficult to find an adult educated person in Russia who does not know about Kizhi island. Everyone knows that this is a fantastic monument of wooden architecture, included in the UNESCO list of world cultural values.

Orthodox Christians are convinced that the island in Lake Onega with its wooden churches is perhaps the most sacred place in the Russian North.

Linguists argue which of the northern peoples gave the name to the island of Kizhi - the Vepsians or the Finns. It's not even clear what it means. According to the Vepsian version, the name of the island comes from the word “kizh”, that is, “moss”. Indeed, there is more than enough moss in these places!

Kizhi architectural ensemble. Around 1900

But the same Vepsians also have another word - “kizi”, that is, “games, folk festivals”. Opponents believe that the island was named by the Finns or similar languages ​​to them Chud, Merya or Karelians. And in fact, it was previously called Kizha-saari, which again translates as “island of games.” But this does not mean folk festivals, but prayers to the Finno-Ugric gods in sacred forests and on sacred banks.

Simply put, Kizha-saari was the center of a pagan cult. With ritual dances, chants and sacrifices. In ancient times - bloody.

This non-Russian land

The island became relatively Russian only in the 11th century, when the Novgorodians came to these northern lands. They themselves, of course, did not live on the island, but they held the “annexed” population with a firm hand. Kizhi, like other islands of Lake Onega, and the shores of this lake, were part of the Obonezh Pyatina - one of the administrative-territorial units of the Novgorod Republic.

Of course, Christian Novgorod sought to bring the light of the new faith to the lost Finno-Ugric souls. So the local people received an Orthodox church on the sacred site of their games. It was in this unobtrusive way that Orthodoxy was introduced into the lands of the pagans.

True, no one knows what this church was like. It is clear that it was made of wood (it doesn’t go well with stone in Kizhi), but we don’t know what it looked like and whether it was similar to the current temples. Baptized local residents(probably like in other places) they willingly went to church and prayed no less fervently to the pagan gods. That is, the “kizha” continued for quite a long time, even in the 17th century.

This, however, did not prevent the island from becoming a stronghold of Onega Orthodoxy. In 1478, the independent Novgorod Republic fell, and Moscow princes became the new masters of the northern lands. To strengthen their power, in 1496 they made Kizhi the center of a new administrative unit - the Spaso-Kizhi churchyard.

Now Kizhi was subordinate to about 130 villages on other islands and on the mainland, Unitskaya Bay and the entire south of the Zaonezhsky Peninsula.

Local authorities settled in Kizhi, public meetings took place here, trade was conducted and litigation was resolved. In the scribe books of the late 16th century, 12 villages on the island and two wooden churches are mentioned: “The Spassky churchyard in Kizhi on Lake Onega, and on the graveyard is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, and the other is the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin.”

There were also two parish churches: on Velikaya Guba and on Lychny Island of Lake Sandal. Both island churches were built on the so-called Maryanina Mountain, where pagan games were previously held.

According to one legend, one day lightning struck them and burned the buildings to the ground. The legend probably did not arise out of nowhere. It is known that the Finno-Ugric peoples managed to perform pagan rituals in Orthodox churches!

The fate of the Metropolitan

In that era, the pilgrimage route from Moscow to Solovetsky Monastery. The legend about the young years of Metropolitan Philip (Kolychev), who became famous for his dramatic confrontation with Ivan the Terrible, is also connected with Kizhi.

During his northern wanderings, Philip (then not yet a metropolitan and not even a monk yet) allegedly hired himself as a worker for a rich peasant named Sidorko Saturday in the village of Zharenskaya. The peasant assigned him to herd sheep. Local residents suffered greatly from snakes that year; they were even afraid to graze cattle near the village. The future saint drove away the snakes.

He also put up a fence that the wolves could not cross. And one day he caught a sturgeon in the lake waters and brought it to a peasant for an Orthodox holiday. But he was a modest man, and when people began to say that he was working miracles, he immediately set off again on the road to Solovki.

Two more legends are associated with the name of Philip - about Svyat-navolok and Smol-navolok. These are two capes that look at each other. One is on the southern tip of Kizhi Island, the other is on the northern shore of the Bolshoi Klimenetsky (Klimetsky) Island. Between them lies a strait that never freezes.

According to legend, when Kolychev approached the strait to cross to the mainland, he was transported by a local resident, nicknamed Smolya for his hair color. The cape where Kolychev stood began to be called Svyat-navolok, and the cape where Smol stood became Smol-navolok. The strip of non-freezing water received the name of Holy Salma or “holy wormwood”.

The name of Philip, who suffered from the ruthless Tsar Ivan the Terrible, was very loved in the Russian North. It is not surprising that the pilgrims who flocked to the Solovetsky Monastery associated it with the island of Kizhi, which was gradually acquiring an aura of holiness.

Without a single nail

In the 17th century, after the reign of Ivan the Terrible and the end of the Time of Troubles, the island's churches fell into some decline. Local legend even says that they became deserted and began to collapse. It was then that lightning burned them to the ground. However, a century later, Peter the Great ordered the restoration of the temples.

In 1714, construction began on the Church of the Transfiguration, but no longer on Maryanina Mountain. One of the legends says that Peter personally designed this temple. Allegedly, he sailed past Kizhi, saw how deserted everything was, moored to the shore and drew with a cane on coastal sand plan of the future temple.

Another legend says that the design of the church belongs entirely to the carpenter Nestor - he both designed the church and built it himself. And without a single nail. And when the construction was completed, Nestor threw the ax into the waters of the lake and said: “There were no more, there will be no more.” That is, no one has built anything like this before, and no one will build anything like this again.

Both legends have nothing in common with historical truth. And Peter had nothing to do with the construction of the Transfiguration Church, and the carpenter Nestor did not exist. And in general, six years before the construction in Kizhi, a similar wooden structure was erected in the village of Ankhimovo, which is located very close to Kizhi.

The legend that the multi-domed northern churches were built without a single nail is also incorrect. Yes, the main structures were connected to each other using grooves, like parts of a construction set. But the wooden scales on the domes had to be properly strengthened, otherwise the domes would have become “bald” and lost all their beauty in the first year. They were fastened with iron pins, that is, they were practically seated on nails.

In addition to the Transfiguration Church, the Intercession Church was erected, as well as a tent-roofed bell tower. But the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary was built half a century later - in 1764. And the tented bell tower dates back to 1863, on the site of a dilapidated and unusable earlier building.

In ancient times, a complex of church buildings was surrounded by a wooden fence, which was supposed to serve as a fortress wall. The fence, of course, has not survived. The one that exists today is a modern reconstruction.

However, even in ancient times the fence was of little use. The invaders of Kizhi did not need it for nothing. There were no military clashes here even with the Swedes. But behind this fence in 1769-1771 the Kizhi government hid from the rebellious assigned peasants.

Soldiers had to be sent to quell the riot. Perhaps this was the only serious action of the residents of Kizhi against their bosses. Basically, life on the island was peaceful and quiet.

Since the 17th century, the island was developed by industrialists to smelt copper and then iron. Over time, the Spaso-Kizhi churchyard turned into the Kizhi volost. Kizhi was not affected by either two Russian revolutions or two world wars.

Kizhi was never blown up and never bombed. So the wooden buildings managed to be preserved in the form in which they were from the moment of construction. So they still please our eyes today.

Amazing and mysterious Kizhi island- this is a place that has become a real symbol of the skill and talent of the architects of the Russian North. Today there is a museum-reserve included in the List of World Heritage Sites. cultural heritage UNESCO.

The island is located in the northern part, 68 kilometers from, and is the most popular attraction in Karelia after. Tourists come here from all over Russia, from the nearest Scandinavian countries, from the Baltic states and countries Western Europe, from Asia and even from overseas.

The most interesting objects of the open-air museum are the fabulous Transfiguration and Intercession churches, a bell tower with a hipped dome, a windmill with eight wings, the chapel of Michael the Archangel and the Oshevnev house-museum, as well as ancient huts and outbuildings brought here from other places and organically complementing general historical picture.

Our article is about the island of Kizhi and its attractions.

• It is believed that the island of Kizhi got its name from the Karelian word “kizhat”, which means “playground”. Archaeological scientists are of the opinion that pagan rituals and ceremonies took place here in pre-Christian times.
• Most of us are accustomed to pronouncing the word “Kizhi” with the emphasis on the second syllable, but philologists and local residents argue that the spelling correct option is to pronounce the name of the island with the emphasis on the first syllable.
• In addition to the historical and architectural museum, there are three villages on Kizhi Island - Kizhi, Vasilyevo and Yamka. Each of them has only two or three courtyards, but this does not prevent them from attracting tourists every year - such landscapes and such a unique peasant flavor cannot be found anywhere else on the globe.
• The ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost received the status of a historical and architectural monument in the 20s of the last century, but it became an open-air museum only four centuries later - in 1966.
• During the years of occupation of Karelia by Finnish troops, the ensemble miraculously was not damaged - it was saved only by the fact that the Finns treated it with care in the hope of including the island in their country and making it an object of research for Finnish scientists. Of course, these plans were not destined to be realized, but they managed to preserve unique monuments of Russian wooden architecture.

• There is a legend that the occupiers still planned to destroy the island of Kizhi and all its attractions, however, seeing the incredible, almost unearthly beauty of the Intercession and Transfiguration churches, the pilots flying the bombers dropped bombs into the lake. However, no documentary evidence of this fact has yet been found.
• The Transfiguration Church on the island of Kizhi is made of pine logs, and its domes and barrels are covered with the so-called “ ploughshare» - small plates cut from aspen. The use of such materials gives rise to an amazing combination of gray-brown shades of log church walls with the silver color of domes covered with aspen plates that reflect all colors surrounding nature. Against the backdrop of the cold northern sky, this picture takes on even greater beauty and mystery.

• It is believed that the island's churches were built without a single nail. This statement is only partly true - nails were not really used in the construction of walls and towers, but they were still used when covering domes with aspen scales.
• In the middle of the 20th century, the first large-scale restoration of the ensemble was carried out - it lasted 10 years. In the 80s, a metal frame was installed in the Transfiguration Church to prevent the building from collapsing. Unfortunately, it damaged some of the logs, so it was necessary to dismantle the iconostasis and the unique “sky” ceiling.
• The latest restoration of the ensemble began in 2010 and continues to this day. In order not to damage the general historical appearance of the buildings and to prolong their life, master restorers also use techniques that were used 300 years ago during the construction of the Church of the Transfiguration.

Sights of Kizhi Island

Website of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve: kizhi.karelia.ru Price entrance ticket: 600 rubles, pensioners, students - 300 rubles, children under 16 years old - free.

The main attractions of the island are, of course, the “summer” Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the “winter” Church of the Intercession, the tented bell tower and the surrounding fence. All together they form a single ensemble “Kizhi Pogost”, the like of which is unique in the whole world. It is located in the southern part of the island, and tourists mainly come for it when visiting the island for the first time. Word " churchyard" V in this case means administrative District. It is the objects of the Kizhi Pogost that are included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.

There are other buildings on the island that are very interesting for both adults and teenage children.

Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island

Church of the Transfiguration under restoration

The 38-meter-tall Church of the Transfiguration is the main monument of Kizhi island, probably known to every schoolchild. It is her photo that is published in history textbooks in topics about Russian architecture. An entirely wooden structure, topped with 22 domes, giving it the appearance of a Russian royal palace. fairy tale, dates from 1714. It is believed that it was built on the site of a church that burned down at the end of the 16th century.

There are two main legends regarding the creation of this greatest architectural masterpiece. The first is that the designer and builder of the Transfiguration Church was none other than Emperor Peter the Great himself. He sailed along Lake Onega, saw a fallen forest on the shore and ordered the construction of a miracle, which has no equal and never will be.

The second legend says that the Church of the Transfiguration on the island of Kizhi was built by a talented craftsman named Nestor. Having finished the work, he threw the ax into the waters of Lake Onega - this was done so that no one would ever dare to build something as great again. Be that as it may, the behest of both Peter and Nestor has been fulfilled - probably, a master has not yet been born whose talent could surpass the skill of the creators of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Even the shape of the church is atypical for religious buildings of that time - it is round. The creator chose the figure of eight as the main figure. There are three of them in the temple, each of them consists of two tiers and is lower in height than the previous one. Parishioners also took an active part in the construction of the temple. The temple is a “summer” building and is not open in winter.

Unfortunately, in the 80s of the last century, during the installation of the metal frame, the iconostasis and the unique “heavenly” ceiling were damaged - they had to be dismantled and transferred for storage to various museums. Since 2010, the Transfiguration Church has been under reconstruction. It must be said that the very frame, due to which part of the interior decoration of the church was damaged, still played a positive role - only thanks to it the building has not yet collapsed under its own weight.

Attached to the Transfiguration Church is a refectory - an equally unique structure, the logs of which tend to shimmer in clear and sunny weather. In the past, local residents used it for public meetings, courts or various holidays.

Church of the Intercession

Church of the Intercession Holy Mother of God, like the Church of the Transfiguration on the island of Kizhi, is a unique monument testifying to the incredible skill and talent of the architects of the Russian North. Its architecture echoes the architecture of the Transfiguration Church and the tented bell tower - all together they form an integral composition and organically complement each other.

The Church of the Intercession has a more modest size and a strict appearance. It is topped with only nine domes, and the only decorative element of its facade is a patterned wooden pediment, the geometric shapes of which reach towards the heavens. This is the so-called “winter” type of church, intended for holding services in the harsh winter.

It is known that the Church of the Intercession burned and was rebuilt several times, and it acquired the appearance that we admire today only in 1764. The temple is equipped with a high porch and canopy - this is a characteristic feature of churches being built at that time in the northern part Russian Empire. The interior decoration is represented by a high iconostasis, many elements of which were lost during the bloody events of the first half of the 20th century. In the 50s it was restored and today both parishioners and tourists can see it.

Tent bell tower

The tented bell tower is another building located between two churches, which is an integral part of the Kizhi churchyard ensemble and has retained the same style, despite the fact that it was built much later than the Intercession and Transfiguration churches. The melodic ringing of its bells still echoes throughout the area. It is known that 300 years ago there was a belfry in its place, which was demolished due to disrepair.

The bell tower, which has survived to this day, was built in 1863. It, like both churches, is clearly visible from Lake Onega.

Chapel of Michael the Archangel

The Chapel of the Archangel Michael is another part of the magnificent Kizhi ensemble. This is a small wooden building with a vestibule and a bell tower, built at the beginning of the 19th century. The building was brought to Kizhi Island from the village of Lelikozero, in the northern part of Onega.

This building, like many others on the island, has an appearance typical of architectural masterpieces Russian North. It is crowned with a double roof and a high wooden dome with a cross. Its main distinguishing feature is the tented bell tower rising above the entrance hall. The interior decoration is also unique - a high iconostasis that merges with the “heavenly” ceiling. It dates back to the 18th century.

The house of the wealthy peasant Nestor Oshevnev is another historical building dating back to the second half of the 19th century. This large house, intended for a large family, today is a museum of the life, way of life and customs of the wealthy peasants of Zaonezhie at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

The house has a typical shape for Zaonezhye - the residential part and outbuildings are under one roof. This allowed residents to carry out a lot of work without going outside, which was a big advantage in winter. The façade is decorated with patterned balconies and a gallery.

Every thing in the house is real, handed down to us from that distant and mysterious time. There is a stove, a baby cradle, dishes, a spindle, a large chest, and a samovar. All this creates a unique and inimitable atmosphere - when you come here, it’s as if you are moving through time and finding yourself in the past, which is so far behind.

Sergeev’s house has a square shape, so it seems that there are no outbuildings here, unlike Oshevnev’s house. But if you go around it from the other side, you can see that they have not gone anywhere, but have simply been moved back, but they are still under the same roof as the residential part. The facade of the house is richly decorated, the carved frames on the windows especially attract attention.

The interior decoration has not been reconstructed - there is a shabby wooden floor, and the same shabby furniture is placed in the corners and in the center. Today there are two exhibitions here: one is dedicated to Karelian applied art, the second - to the oral folk art of the inhabitants of Zaonezhye.

Baths

There are four baths on the island, which were also brought from other settlements Karelia. They are not difficult to find - they are located on the very shore of the lake near the water. These are simple wooden buildings, inside of which there are several soap houses and a stove.

The facade of the baths was not decorated in any way, because they were perceived simply as a way to maintain the purity of the body, and no sacred meaning was invested in them. Nevertheless, there had to be a bathhouse even in the most seedy village.

Eight-wing windmill

The Eight-Wing Mill is a relatively young structure, created in the 20s of the last century. It was brought to Kizhi Island from the village of Volkostrov.

There are two floors inside the mill - on the first there is a flour chest and a device for grinding flour, on the second there is a mill ladle, millstones and a shaft, at the end of which there are wings. What is surprising is that today the eight-wing windmill performs its original function - grinding grain and making flour.