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A photo tour of Russia's aging wooden churches
Ever seen an unknown sight on a postcard and had a sudden urge to visit? Professional photographer Richard Davies knows the feeling well. Davies, who specializes in architectural photography, discovered a postcard series of unique fairy-tale style wooden churches located in Northern Russia and decided he simply had to visit. The result is Wooden Churches, a series of beautiful photographs of these forgotten landmarks.The wooden church architecture of Russia is unlike anything on earth. Largely built during the 18th and 19th Centuries, these iconic structures have weathered a storm of changes ever since, ranging from harsh winters to the churches' abandonment during the years of Soviet Communism. Many of the structures today remain in a state of tragic disrepair, damaged by vandals, neglect and the constant barrage of the weather.
Davies' photo collection perfectly captures the beauty and neglect of these amazing structures. The barren Russian landscapes, the sense of decay and the intricate architecture will make viewers feel like they've stumbled upon the remains of a fantasy civilization. It's a great way to raise awareness for preserving these amazing landmarks before they crumble to dust.
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Filed under: History, Learning, Photos, Russian Federation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Max Mar 18th 2010 7:04PM
Churches across ALL of Europe are increasingly becoming abandoned, derelict structures. Who goes to church anymore? Aside from weddings and old people who are about to die, just about no one.
Nor Mar 18th 2010 4:26PM
Max,, your so wrong!! but you can answer to the big guy on that one day,, i'm sure he'll love that excuse!!
Max Mar 18th 2010 5:17PM
Nor - I'm not wrong. I have lived in six countries in Europe over the last 20 years. Where I am living right now the closest church that's actually still a church (and not converted to an office building, large home, or museum) is several kilometers away in a residential neighborhood with over a million people. In the United States you still see churches on almost every corner, especially in poor ghetto areas (almost none in Beverly Hills, though). Like it or not, churches are associated with ignorant, uneducated, poor people. In the 2009 PISA review of global academic standards, the United States was ranked #25 out of 28 nations at the high school graduate level. You beat out only Mexico, Turkey and Slovenia. As for your silly delusion about my some day meeting some deity in the clouds who's going to ask for an explanation, just think about this: YOU are an atheist, too (with only a single exception). You don't believe in ANY of the thousands of gods invented over the ages. Not in Zeus, or Apollo, or any of the African and Polynesian tribal gods, or in Buddha, or in Kali, or Krishna - the list goes on and on. You see every one of them as pure superstition and mythology. When you figure out WHY you don't believe in any of those gods, then you'll realize why others don't believe in your one exception, too. The only difference is that you were brought up to believe in that particular fiction.
Catherine Mar 18th 2010 4:18PM
Ummm, excuse me, but you don't speak for me or the millions of people who are active in their churches. We draw strength and peace from worshipping together and serving our communities. Perhaps you should visit a local church of any denomination and look around. You might find out "who goes to church anymore."
Sally Mar 18th 2010 4:19PM
Who goes to church anymore? I do, and so do a lot of my friends. In Europe, the number of people going to church has dropped over the last generation.Would you say that their society is better off, healthier? I wouldn't. Europeans have lost their faith and their national identities. Their birthrate is way down. And who is taking over? Muslims. They are colonizing Europe at a huge rate and their birthrate is way up. There are parts of London that the police will not enter. Sharia law rules there. A good thing? I don't think so.As we loose our faith, we loose our identity. If we don't pass our faith along to our children, they will be susceptible to anything. And, by the way, I spoke with a friend whose job has taken her to live in Russia for two years. The Russian Orthodox Church is making a comeback. Not even 80 years of communist rule could kill it.
Max Mar 18th 2010 5:02PM
Sally - I've lived in the United States and Europe. Obviously you haven't. Like every other expat I have ever met, we have ZERO desire to return to America ever again. The land of religious morons and war mongers. Enjoy your bankrupt police state.
MATT Mar 18th 2010 5:31PM
Well said Sally
MATT Mar 18th 2010 5:31PM
Now this would be a nice tour to take I would enjoy very much one day to see these churches
jeff Mar 18th 2010 5:57PM
My parents are going back, they have hit their 80's. They tried raising us "good christians" bible school, choir, christian youth group sunday school, I hated every second of it. I believe in god and of course being decent. Church can be more social than anything. Churches beautiful all over the world. I prefer the smaller ones with great architecture.
phantomspots Mar 18th 2010 7:04PM
Max, my main beef with your post is that it started an all out tangent on an article about the historical preservation of a specific style of church structure, nothing in regards to their modern social function. Would it behoove you to tie in your point with the possible loss of other historic architectural styles as people abandon churches across Europe and thus dilute their operating budgets? I can imagine much of religious disillusionment ties into the recent scandals facing European Catholic schools - I'm a Catholic, I'm not saying it to bash - so it's warranted, but European churches especially should be prized for their historic value, if nothing else. That's what this article is all about. Preserving history.
salesman Mar 18th 2010 7:00PM
Look at their churches, disrepair... now look at their culture and country, disrepair. Hummm, it's almost like there's a connnection! I saw a sign recently that read, "No Jesus, no peace...know Jesus, know peace...how beautiful and true!
Reality Check Mar 19th 2010 1:33AM
There are more billionaires in Moscow than any other city in the world. It is now the most expensive place to live, except only for Tokyo. Unless you have been to Russia, don't believe the stupid media about people standing in line for potatoes. That was 25 years ago. I live here right now, and nothing is in disrepair in the cities. That includes churches, except as previously said, those churches are almost all museums and office buildings these days.