The northern beauty of the nature of Karelia, its bewitching endless forests leaves unforgettable impressions for life for everyone who once visited this amazing and magical land. The unique monuments of ancient architecture left by the past generations of this harsh land are not left without attention. Among them, the real miracle island of Kizhi stands out. How to get to this "incomparable tale of domes"?
Zaonezhskaya Hellas
A visit to Kizhi is included in the itineraries of popular river cruises that invariably pass through Lake Onega. Its area, together with the islands of various lengths and shapes, is 9930 square meters. km. The Kizhi archipelago is considered to be the pearl of Zaonezhie. Travelers called this intricate and complex labyrinth of the most picturesque islands of the Onega skerries "Zaonezhskaya Hellas". Its relatively small territory allows you to get acquainted with landscapes typical of Karelia,interesting monuments of nature, history and architecture. In this amazing place there is a real miracle of architecture - an architectural complex known far beyond the borders.
History of Kizhi Island
The island has quite a rich history. It was here that the first settlements on the archipelago arose. The first mention of the Kizhi churchyard, uniting several villages, was discovered by scientists in the cadastral book of 1582-1583. In the 16th century, the island became the center of the Spassky churchyard, which included 130 villages. The word "graveyard" in Ancient Russia meant a large settlement with a temple and a cemetery. Once it was the center of cultural, spiritual and economic life of the district. Fairs, folk gatherings and various holidays were held here.
The name Kizhi comes from the Vepsian word kisi, which means "games". Probably, once on the island, the Finno-Ugric tribes carried out certain pagan actions.
Open Air Museum
In 1990, the UNESCO organization added another valuable object to the World Heritage List, which was the Kizhi Reserve. Karelia in the preliminary list represents another natural and cultural complex - the Valaam Archipelago. The unique petroglyphs of the region can replenish priceless historical objects.
Kizhi Island is known as one of the most popular open-air museums in Russia. Here is a unique wooden architecture, which is the pinnacle of carpentry. The source of inspiration for the ancient architects, perhaps, was the unusual fornorthern latitudes diversity and picturesque nature. It is worth noting that the buildings of the Kizhi churchyard, different in shape and height, blend perfectly into the harsh northern landscape.
Historical and architectural ensemble
Among the unique monuments of the complex, the Church of the Transfiguration stands out with its rather complex structure, in which stepping, tiering and pyramidality are traced. Three tiers of the temple are formed by three octagons located one above the other. Figured outbuildings adjoin the widest lower tier, numerous domes rise in five steps to the central head of the church. Each of the listed elements is coordinated with the other and is subject to one architectural idea.
The design of the Intercession Church is also original. Its nine domes form a kind of crown. The interior decoration of both temples has not been preserved in its original appearance, they have been repeatedly restored.
Successfully harmonizes with the overall ensemble and landscape of the churchyard and the Tent Bell Tower, built much later, already in the era of the decline of northern wooden architecture.
The ancient fence of the churchyard, erected in the middle of the 17th century, has not survived to this day. Based on the model of the remaining wooden fortifications, a modern fence was recreated, similar to the one that surrounded the ancient fortress.
In 1966, the unique architectural ensemble was supplemented with a peculiar environment and the State Ethnographic and Historical-Architecturalmuseum. Religious wooden buildings were transported here: chapels, churches, mills, peasant houses and other structures. When examining the churchyard, you can get acquainted with multiple household items of that time. These are old handwritten books, icons, furniture, utensils, crockery, various tools.
Negative weather and climate factors have a detrimental effect on the state of the wooden relic, thus causing concern among experts. To avoid the destruction of the unique buildings of the Kizhi ensemble, a comprehensive restoration program has been developed and is being successfully implemented.
The times of the "distant old days"
The Russian North is not without reason called a treasury of monuments of wooden architecture. One of the outstanding masterpieces of folk craftsmen is the Kizhi churchyard. Such a we alth of forms and indefatigable building fantasy is rarely seen anywhere. The fabulous temple city seems to rise above the gray surface of the northern waters, its tall wooden buildings are visible from afar. A unique panorama opens up to the eyes of tourists on board cruise ships that regularly visit Kizhi Island. How to get to the place, fanned by the breath of "distant antiquity"?
Road to Kizhi
Kizhi is an island lost in the labyrinths of the skerries of Lake Onega. It is protected from all sides from the waves, which often break out in the open spaces of Onego. Water in the spring in coastal shallow water quickly warms up and is freed from the ice cover. All this favored the arrangement of the parking of ships in Kizhi. How to get to the island?
In winter, a winter road is laid to Kizhi, in summer high-speed boats and ferries regularly go here. The island is constantly visited by tourists and pilgrims to see the unique architectural monument with their own eyes.
To Kizhi from the northern capital
The classic program of river cruises with a starting point from St. Petersburg is the most popular among tourists. Such routes make it possible to get the most complete picture of the life of ancient Russia, when life was built around rivers and large reservoirs, to feel all the extraordinary beauty of the nature of the Russian North, to make fascinating excursions to its unique monuments of antiquity, ancient monasteries, islands. Particularly attractive tours "Kizhi-Valaam" on the ship. Traveling along the river will appeal to everyone who loves a change of place, is eager to discover new, unexplored places. Excursion to Kizhi, Valaam - a recognized classic of tourism in Karelia. It invariably causes a lot of pleasant impressions and peace of mind.
River cruises organized in the northwest of Russia from St. Petersburg are usually traditional short cruises, taking 1-2 days. There are also longer tours on Ladoga and Onega lakes. The program of river cruises includes visits to Mandrogi, Pellotsaari, Petrozavodsk, Konevets and Lodeinoye Pole.
Such cruises, operating daily from May to October, are offered by various travel companies. Ships depart fromberths of the River Station of the northern capital.
On the boat from Moscow
You can get to Kizhi directly from Moscow by boat. A visit to the famous reserve is included in the excursion programs of river cruises on routes from Moscow to Solovki or St. Petersburg. The most interesting part of them takes place in Karelia. Tours along the Volga-B altic waterway pass through Myshkin, Uglich, Goritsy, Svirstroy, Mandrogi with a stop at the Kizhi and Valaam islands.
To Kizhi from Petrozavodsk
The capital of Karelia, Petrozavodsk, is spread like an amphitheater on the coastal terraces of Lake Onega. Only 68 km from it are the Kizhi skerries. Naturally, the capital of Karelia is the best starting point for visiting the reserve. Choosing the route "Petrozavodsk-Kizhi", how to get through the open water surface of Onego to the straits between the numerous picturesque islands of the archipelago, which form a natural labyrinth, is no longer a problem. It is better, of course, to familiarize yourself in advance with the information provided on the official website of the reserve, about the flights to the island, the schedule of routes. And choose the most suitable option for yourself. You can buy an excursion to "Zaonezhskaya Hellas" in one of the travel companies of the city and go, for example, to the "Kizhi-Valaam" tour on a boat, or you can organize your trip on your own.
From Petrozavodsk from the Water Station during the navigation period (from May to September), ships departing for Kizhi run daily. One way trip - 1 hour 15minutes. Duration of stay on the island - 3 hours. Tickets for "Meteor" and "Kometa" can be purchased at the mobile ticket office at the entrance to the station or directly at the ticket office at pier N 4.
A trip to Kizhi during the inter-navigational period, when Onego is ice-bound, is possible by helicopters, hovercraft or all-terrain vehicles. For lovers of outdoor activities in winter, extreme tours on snowmobiles, skis and dog sledding in Kizhi are provided. How to get there and what type of excursion to choose, everyone will have to decide either on their own or with the help of travel agencies, based on personal preferences.
You can also get to Kizhi from the nearest settlement to the island of Velikaya Guba. This is a village located in the Medvezhyegorsk region. Here, local entrepreneurs offer their services for delivery to the reserve on boats. You can get to Velikaya Guba along the R-17 and M-18 highways.
Christmas magic
New Year's tours in Zaonezhye, an amazing land full of mystery and magical charm, are remembered for a lifetime. New Year and Christmas programs are quite saturated. They often include helicopter excursions to the pearl of Lake Onega - Kizhi. To spend the most long-awaited and beloved holiday in such an unusual place is already quite unique.
Tours to Kizhi and the Kizhi necklace are also offered. They include a visit not only to the famous nature reserve, but also a trip to the old Karelian villages on other islandsarchipelago. Such trips allow you to fully enjoy the beauty and silence of these unusual places, preserved almost in their original form.
The types of travel offered are very diverse. These can be weekend tours, skiing, fishing, a combination of the two, or just an excursion.
