A small island of Kizhi on Onega Lake is known throughout the world. Beginning with the 14th century the unique log-built churches and belfries were erected here. Not surprisingly, the whole architecture and natural environment of the island were included by UNESCO in the list of monuments of the world's cultural heritage of humanity.
Since ancient times the island has lain on the route from Novgorod-the-Great to White Sea. The first wooden buildings on the island, which have remained intact to this day, date from the 14th century. In the 16th century the Kizhi town included more than 100 log-built buildings. In the mid-17th century a wooden wall was built around them to protect the villages against the possible incursions of the militant Swedes. In 1960 Kizhi became one of the country's largest national preserves. Today it includes more than 5000 unique works of ancient traditional northern Russian art. The most remarkable structure on the island is the Church of the Transfiguration with 22 domes, which has no precedent in the world architecture. Similarly inimitable are each of the other 25 buildings which have been preserved and brought here from allover the island. They include the Church of the Intercession with nine domes, ten-room belfry, chapel and village churches of the 18th century built in the northern tradition "without a single nail", village huts with intricate carving on wood similar to the famous Vologda lace. The wooden Church of St Lazarus built in the 14th century and brought here from the Murom Monastery, chapels of the 18th century from the villages of Lelikozero and Kavgora, peasant huts from the neighbouring ancient villages of Oshevnevo, Yelizarovka, Logmoruchei, whose names sound as melodies as the drip of snow in the rays of the dim northern sun, are all part and parcel of the scenery of
the island.