The Lost Churches of Russia: Haunting Images of Abandoned Wooden Buildings in Remote Forests

The Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 12/22/12 | Anna Edwards

[Forward the Light Brigade]

They remind me of the Adobe Missions Churches in New Mexico. Many of them are falling down and in need of restoration. Some are on Indian Reservations and the Natives are Catholic but do not have the resources to fix and restore the old 18th Century Buildings.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Interesting as it says these churches were built on the orders of Prince Vladimir. He in fact was hetman of the Kievan Rus and his rule was centered in Kiev, Ukraine not Russia.

Interestingly he and his son, Prince Yaroslav (the wise) hired Byzantine craftsmen to build the beautiful church of St. Sophia (modeled after the Haigha Sofia in Istanbul)in Kiev.

It is a most gorgeous thing built of Byzantine brick and well worth a look if you ever get to Kiev.

[Mrs. Don-o]

St. Sophia in Kiev.

Like something in a vision.

Interior: Maria Orans (Mary Praying)

[Campion]

"Cold? Madame, you have no idea ... !!"

[Erasmus]

These are all from the collection of Mikhail Prokhudin-Gorski , taken between 1905 and 1915.

[Tax-chick]

Bonaparte didn’t go as far to the north, but on the other hand, the climate was colder in those days. Eeeeek!

More coffee ...