Kizhi Island

We woke this morning with the ship already on lake Onega, heading towards the island of Kizhi. Kizhi is the largest of over 300 on the lake area measuring approximately 6 km long and 1 km wide. The population is approximately 2 people per square km. In the area wolves, bears, sable, mink, elk, lynx and foxes can be found along with 32 different types of fish including salmon, trout and sturgeon.

The Church of the Transfiguration

The main  attraction on the island is the Church of the Transfiguration, built in 1714. We are told it was built without using nails however nails have been found in use we were told, but considering the cost of the nails, I suspect the wooden pins may have been used. The church is a series of diminishing octahedrons to give a circular appearance, and rises 37m above the ground. The multiple domes are an imposing sight from any angle.

The other buildings on the island are farm houses and show how life would have been living in this isolated tundra. They only get around 2 weeks of warm weather here and one can only imagine the hardships endured. They do grow vegetables for their own use and the staple here are mostly root crops such as potato, beetroot and turnips.

Russian Windmill

Kizhi Farm House

Before long we had to return to the ship and we were on our way to our next stop, Goritsy. Back on the ship we had a Russian language lesson followed by a Russian song lesson.  The lake was relatively calm for the afternoon cruise as we headed toward the Volga and the series of lochs we will be navigating overnight. After the evening meal there was a music quiz in the lounge with lots of dancing .   It was a relatively calm night on the river and lake  so most had a good night sleep.