The northern beauty of the nature of Karelia, its enchanting endless forests leaves unforgettable impressions for the whole life of everyone who once visited this amazing and magical land. The unique monuments of ancient architecture that have left past generations of this harsh land do not go unnoticed. 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 routes of popular river cruises, invariably passing along Lake Onega. Its area, along with islands of the most varied length and shape, is 9930 square meters. km The Pearl of Zaonezhye is rightfully considered the Kizhi archipelago. This intricate and complex maze of picturesque islands of Onega skerries was called by travelers "Zaonezhskaya Hellas." Its relatively small territory allows you to get acquainted with typical landscapes for Karelia, interesting monuments of nature, history and architecture. In this amazing place is a real miracle of architecture - an architectural complex, known far beyond the borders of the region.
History of Kizhi Island
The island has a fairly 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 scribe book of 1582-1583. In the XVI 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 the cultural, spiritual, as well as economic life of the district. Fairs, national gatherings and various holidays were held here.
The name Kizhi comes from the Veps word kisi, which means "merrymaking." Probably, once on the island Finno-Ugric tribes held certain pagan actions.
Open-air museum
In 1990, UNESCO replenished the World Heritage List with another valuable asset, which was the Kizhi reserve. Karelia in the preliminary list represents another natural and cultural complex - the Valaam Archipelago. The priceless historical objects can also be replenished with unique petroglyphs of the region.
Kizhi island is known as one of the most popular open-air museums in Russia. Unique wooden architecture is presented here, which is the pinnacle of carpentry. Perhaps the source of inspiration for the ancient architects was the diversity and picturesqueness of nature, extraordinary for the northern latitudes. It is worth noting that the buildings of the Kizhi graveyard, different in shape and height, perfectly blend in with the harsh northern landscape.
Historical and architectural ensemble
Among the unique monuments of the complex, the Transfiguration Church stands out with its rather complicated design, in which stepped, tiered and pyramidal. 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 to the central head of the church with five steps. Each of these elements is consistent with another and obeys one architectural idea.
The design of the Intercession Church is also original. Its nine chapters form a kind of crown. The interior decoration of both churches was not preserved in their original appearance; they were repeatedly restored.
Successfully in harmony with the general ensemble and landscape of the churchyard and the Hipped bell tower, built much later, in the era of the decline of northern wooden architecture.
The ancient fence of the churchyard, erected in the middle of the XVII century, has not been preserved to this day. 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 by a unique environment and the state ethnographic and historical-architectural museum was opened. Religious wooden buildings were transported here: chapels, churches, mills, peasant houses and other structures. When examining the graveyard, you can get acquainted with the many household items of that time. These are ancient handwritten books, icons, furniture, utensils, dishes, various tools.
Negative weather and climate factors adversely affect the state of the wooden relic, thereby causing concern of experts. In order to avoid the destruction of the unique buildings of the Kizhi ensemble, a comprehensive restoration program was developed and is being successfully implemented.
Times of the "distant past"
No wonder the Russian North is called a treasury of monuments of wooden architecture. One of the outstanding masterpieces of craftsmen is Kizhi Pogost. Such a wealth of forms and indefatigable building imagination is rarely seen. The fabulous temple city rises above the gray surface of the northern waters, its tall wooden buildings are visible from afar. A unique panorama opens to the gaze of tourists aboard cruise ships regularly visiting the island of Kizhi. How to get there to a place fanned by the breath of "distant antiquity"?
The road to Kizhi
Kizhi is an island lost in the labyrinths of the skerries of Lake Onega. It is protected from all sides from waves that quite often play out on the open expanses 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 ship parking in Kizhi. How to get to the island?
In winter, a winter road is laid to Kizhi; in the summer, high-speed vessels and ferries regularly go here. The island is constantly visited by tourists and pilgrims to see with their own eyes a unique architectural monument.
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 experience all the extraordinary beauty of the nature of the Russian North, to make fascinating excursions to its unique ancient monuments, ancient monasteries, islands. The Kizhi-Valaam tours on the boat are especially attractive. Traveling along the river will appeal to everyone who loves a change of places, is eager to discover new, unknown places. Excursion to Kizhi, Valaam - a recognized classic of tourism in Karelia. It invariably causes a lot of pleasant impressions and emotional peace.
River cruises organized in the north-west of Russia from St. Petersburg are usually traditional short cruises that take 1-2 days. There are also longer tours of the Ladoga and Onega lakes. The program of river cruises includes calls to Mandrogi, Pellotsaari, Petrozavodsk, Konevets and Lodeynoye Pole.
Such cruises, operating daily from May to October, are offered by various travel companies. Motor ships depart from the berths of the River Station of the northern capital.
On a ship from Moscow
On the boat to Kizhi you can get directly from Moscow. A visit to the famous reserve is included in the excursion programs of river cruises along the routes from Moscow to Solovki or St. Petersburg. The most interesting part of them takes place in Karelia. Tours along the Volga-Baltic waterway pass through Myshkin, Uglich, Goritsy, Svirstroy, Mandrogi with an approach to the islands of Kizhi and Valaam.
To Kizhi from Petrozavodsk
The capital of Karelia - Petrozavodsk - is an amphitheater on the coastal terraces of Lake Onega. Only 68 km away are Kizhi skerries. Naturally, the capital of Karelia is the best starting point for visiting the reserve. Choosing the Petrozavodsk-Kizhi route, how to get through the open water surface of Onego into the straits between the many picturesque islands of the archipelago, forming a natural labyrinth, no longer seems to be a problem. It is better, of course, to familiarize yourself in advance with the information presented on the reserve’s official website, about flights to the island, and the schedule of routes. And choose the most suitable option for yourself. You can buy an excursion to Zaonezhskaya Hellada at one of the city’s travel companies and go, for example, to the Kizhi-Valaam tour on a motor ship, or you can organize your trip yourself.
From Petrozavodsk from the Water Station during the navigation period (from May to September), ships leaving for Kizhi run daily. One way trip - 1 hour 15 minutes. Duration of stay on the island - 3 hours. Tickets for “Meteor” and “Comet” can be purchased at the ticket office at the entrance to the station or directly at the box-office pavilion at berth No. 4.
Trip to kizhi during the inter-navigation period, when Onego is ice-bound, it is possible on helicopters, on air-cushion boats or off-road vehicles. For lovers of outdoor activities in the winter, extreme tours on snowmobiles, skiing and dog sledding in Kizhi are provided. How to get and what type of excursion to choose, everyone has to decide either independently or with the help of travel agencies, based on personal preferences.
You can also get to Kizhi from the village of Velikaya Guba, closest to the island . This is a village located in the Medvezhyegorsk district. Here, local entrepreneurs offer their services on delivery to the reserve by boat. You can drive to the Great Guba along the R-17 and M-18 highways.
New Year's magic
New Year's tours in Zaonezhie, 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 tours to the pearl of Lake Onega - Kizhi. To spend the most long-awaited and beloved by everyone holiday in such an unusual place is already quite unique.
Kizhi and Kizhi necklace tours are also offered. They include a visit not only to the famous reserve, but also a journey through the old Karelian villages on other islands of the archipelago. Such trips allow you to fully enjoy the beauty and silence of these unusual places, preserved almost intact.
The types of travel offered are very diverse. It can be weekend tours, skiing, fishing, a combination of them or just an excursion.