The 22-domed Transfiguration Church on Kizhi Island in Lake Onega, Russia, was built in the early 1700’s, entirely of wood, without the use of a single nail. Legend insists that the main builder used one axe for the construction, which he threw into the lake upon completion with the words, “There was not and will be not another one to match it.” Its sister church, the nine-domed Church of the Intercession, sits nearby. The larger church is used only in warm weather; when colder weather sets in, services are moved to the smaller, more intimate church, which is easier to heat.
Love the onion domes! It’s amazing that they have no nails, like the Norwegian stavkirkes. Serious craftsmen!
It is amazing, shobha. I can conceive of building a wooden structure without nails, as long as the lines are straight, but I simply cannot wrap my head around how they did it with all those curved domes.
so good!
Thank you, kweontaewoo!