Kizhi Island

Kizhi island: Belfry, Transfiguration, Intercession

The Church of the Transfiguration stands out on Kizhi island (4 miles by 1/2 mile) with its 22 cupolas. Built in 1714 out of pine wood with birch shingles in an octahedron, the interior is under restoration. We were able to go into the Church of the Intercession (the winter church since it is heated) with its wooden icons.

Church of the Transfiguration

Most of the other building on the island has been brought to this island as examples of life in the 19th century. Most interesting was a large farm house with its large brick oven in the center. All the family would live on the ground floor in winter with the snow 5 foot deep outside. In the summer, all the rooms would be utilized. The horses and workshop were on the 2nd floor, where we saw their lathe and forms to bend wood for sled runners. The grounds had several other examples of farm houses, a windmill, and the 17th century Chapel of the Archangel Michael, where we had a bell concert.
The rest of the day was spent sailing Lake Onega. In the afternoon, we had our first of two Russian history lessons: The Rurikids Dynasty lasted from 862 to 1598. They were the first to bring all the Slav peoples together in what was called Kiev Rus and their original capital was Kiev. Vladimir was a key ruler, because he decided that the best way to unite his kingdom was to have a state religion. He chose Byzantium Christianity because they provided divine sanction for his rule and he could marry the sister of the Byzantine emperor. He was baptized in 989 and gave start to the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1237, the mongols invaded Russia. They ruled loosely for 250 years, demanding tribute each year, but allowing the Czars to continue. The biggest effect this had was to severe any ties to Western Europe for this entire period. The capital moved from Kiev to Moscow during the Mongol occupation. Ivan the Great, freed Russia from the Mongols in 1480. Unfortunately, his grandson, Ivan IV became know as Ivan, the terrible, who purged anyone who threatened him including 2 of his 7 wives and several of his offspring. The years 1598-1613 became known as the "time of troubles": great famine, many false claims to the throne (from supposed sons of Ivan), and war with Sweden. When it was clear that there was no heir from Ivan IV, in 1613 Michael of the Romanov family was chosen by the nobles. This became the royal dynasty until 1917. The memorable leaders from the Romanov family are: Peter the Great, who defeated the Swedes, built the capital of St. Petersburg, was the first Czar to have travelled to Western Europe and thus starting changing Russian society to reflect more of European norms including building an army and navy. Catherine the Great, who was a German princess, married to Peter's grandson, who defeated the Turks gaining the Crimean Peninsula to Russia She was also a great patron of the arts. Alexander I who defeated Napoleon in 1812. And Alexander II who freed the serfs in 1861. The end came with Nicholas II, who was a weak ruler, he had lost the Russo-Japanese war, and people were starving due to World War I.

Enough history! In the evening we went through 6 locks on the Volga-Baltic canal with a beautiful sunset at about 11PM.

Sunset on the Volga-Baltic Canal