The Russian Journals, Part Twelve, the Kizhi Island Museum

This is the view approaching Kizhi Island. On shore we were met by a local guide who told us how unusual the warm, sunny day was. "It's only the second one (this month)," she said. Then she led us along a boardwalk, into the Outdoor Museum of Northern Russian Architecture.



This windmill is near the church pictured above.



This is the rock and log wall that surrounds the Kizhi Pogost. Inside are the maginificnet Church of the Transfiguration of Our Savior (1714), the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin (1764), and the belltower (1874). Extensive restoration and preservation work is on-going at the site.



A fence post.




Our walk takes us past the Pogost towards several other structures in the museum. The small church is the Church of St. Lazarus (14th century).


















Below is the Pogost as seen from beyond the windmill.





Below is the Chapel pf St. Michael (18th century).









The logs are laid on rocks. This provides circulation under the building to prevent rot.




Then, it was time to head back to the pier. Long boardwalks take visitors across the swamy lands, and tourists are warned to stay on the walks and wooden paths as the island is host to poisonous asps. I had heard this might be a tale fabricated by a guide who was trying to keep his group together, so I asked our guide.

"It's true," she replied. Every summer someone gets bitten and we have to call in a rescue helicopter to get that person to the hospital. Usually, it's one of the crew off the boats. They tend to get off the pathways and lie in the grass for a break."


My path, the one less taken, took me past this peasant's houose this is under restoration.




Waiting at the pieer, of course, is the dog with the too large head, and ducks.