Karelian Architecture
Northern Russia 2009
The vast forests of Northern Russia and Finland provided the materials needed for glorious carved churches like this one which is similar to the Church of the Transfiguration on Kizhi Island. The skills of these untaught men developed through many generations resulting in these fabulous buildings constructed using only an axe. Who could duplicate this work now? No one.
I added brush strokes and outlandish colors to the church because it was sitting in a large parking lot like space. We passed it sailing out of St. Petersburg to Lake Onega. I think the Russians must have moved it from its original site. Good idea but let’s not have cars parked so close. I had to get rid of them. They ruined my photo!