The village and churches of Kizhi were first mentioned in chronicles
four hundred years ago. In the 16th century, Kizhi was the administrative centre
of the large Zaonezhye region, with numerous settlements on islands and on the
mainland. It was the land of diligent, prosperous, and religious people - fishermen, peasants, merchants,
blacksmiths, carpenters - with rich culture and traditions.
Major sights.
The heart of the Kizhi ensemble is
the Church of the Transfiguration, the Church of the Intercession,
and a belfry located between them.
The 22 domed Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior (1714) is the key
site of the Kizhi Pogost. It was designed as a summer church:
services were held here only in summer. Fantastic multiple cupolas of the
church fascinate and the mastery of its builders captivates every visitor.
Next to the Church of Transfiguration stands the Church of the Intercession.
It is thought to have been built in 1764; however, this date still causes controversy.
The construction of this Church differs from the Church of Transfiguration.
But the builders succeeded in blending both churches and, later, the belfry into a single ensemble.
The Church of Lazar of Murom is located nearby. It is the oldest monument of wooden
architecture in Russia - the Church was built in the middle of the 14th century.
This church was moved here from the Murom Monastery, situated at
the southern shore of Onego Lake, in 1960. In the 19th century, all the
facilities of
the Monastery were reconstructed. All except for the Church of Lazar built about
in the middle
of the 14th century which was regarded as miraculous by the local population.
Plenty of chapels make part of the ensemble. These are the Chapel of
Archangel Mikhail (17-18th centuries), the Chapel of the Assumption of
Virgin Mary (17-18th centuries), the Chapel of the Divine Savior
(17-18th centuries), the Chapel of Peter and Paul (17th century),
and many others.
Each of them has its own long-running history.
Aside from church facilities, centuries-old households
are also located on the Island. These are water- and windmills, granaries, blacksmiths, famous chimneyless bathhouses - or Russian steambaths in-black, houses of peasants who once lived in the Kizhi Region.
On visiting the Houses of peasants of Sergeyev, Oshevnev, Elizarov and others, a visitor can learn a lot about the life of residents of Onego Lake Region, their traditions and customs.
The museum's collection includes a lot of icons of the 18-19th centuries. Among others are
the icon "The Transfiguration of Christ", "The Lives of Abraham and Sarah" and many other,
including the icon of "Sts. Zosima and Savvaty of Solovki with Lives", dedicated to the
founders of
Solovetsky Monastery Savvaty and Zosima, who were canonized after their death. Zosima was born in the village of Tolvuya, close to Kizhi, and the residents of Kizhi revered their famous fellow countryman.
Kizhi Pogost is enlisted in the UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Nature.
The Kizhi Reserve keeps numerous species of birds, animals and trees under protection.
Several populations of huge fir trees can be found around.
Boat and walking eco trips can be arranged to explore Kizhi nature:
botanical, geological and ornithological, with a duration of 4 hours to 2 days.
Transport:
By water: 63 km from Petrozavodsk by a regular hydrofoil (1 h. 15 min. ride) or charter boat; cruise boats from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
By air: helicopter from Petrozavodsk (25 minutes).
By ice: snowmobile from Petrozavodsk or nearby settlements (ice dependent). Air-cushion boat from Petrozavodsk.
Usually, tourists stay for about 3 hours on the Island. In summertime, the longest possible daytime stay is 11 hours.
You can find a tour to Kizhi in our selection of
Karelia tours and Excursions.
