In the far north-western corner of Russia is the Republic of Karelia.
In Karelia is a lake, called Lake Onego.
In the middle of that lake is an island called Kizhi.
On Kizhi is a "pogost", a settlement or churchyard.
And in that pogost, are two wooden churches and a bell tower.
The church on the left has 22 domes while the one on the right has nine. The smaller church is known as the Church of the Intercession. It is heated and is therefore used as a winter church (October to Easter), whereas the larger church - the Church of the Transfiguration - is not heated and is only used during the summer months. Both churches date back to the 18th C and are built entirely of wood - no nails! Along with the belfry, these structures were built of pine (the main structure), spruce (roof) with aspen covering the domes. This pogost is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with the island and its open air museum of 87 other buildings (including more wooden churches, barns, mills, houses and saunas) brought to the island is a Russian Cultural Heritage Site.
So, apart from the Moscow Metros from last months post, this is one place I would love to see. (yes, I have thing for Russia!)
Wow, the place, and the stamp sheet, are just incredible. (I would also love to see the Moscow Metro, and also travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway).
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting looking church - so ornate!
ReplyDelete...these are beautiful.
ReplyDeletewow!! This is simply amazing...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.postagejournal.com/sundaystamps102buckingham-palace/
Lovely images!
ReplyDeleteSome lovely stamps featuring churches
ReplyDeleteLovely stamp sheet, the wooden plank background is a nice touch. I'd like to see the wooden churches too. I have been lucky enough to ride the metro, awesome.
ReplyDeleteNo nails?!?
ReplyDeleteThe large stamp is superb.
ReplyDelete