Watery Wednesday: Mandrogy to Kizhi

After leaving the rebuilt town of Mandrogy, the Viking Surkov headed for its northernmost port, the open-air museum on the island of Kizhi, where people had settled as early as the 15th century.

Summer in Kizhi is pleasantly warm, although not hot, as it lies at a latitude of 62.4 degrees north. The Arctic Circle is 66.3 degrees north. Skagway, Alaska, is 59.27 degrees north.

Kizhi is in Lake Onega, the second-largest lake in Europe, after Lake Ladoga, the lower reaches of which we had already passed through the night we left St. Petersburg on our holiday with Viking River Cruises.

The island of Kizhi contains many old houses, two of which are original, with the rest having been brought in from other locations. The highlights of the open-air museum are considered to be the two domed churches and bell-tower built in the 18th century, entirely of wood, without the use of nails.

Photos taken from the deck of the Viking Surkov

© Photos by

Richard Schear

and

Kay Davies

Russia, August, 2011

while traveling with

Viking River Cruises

Posted for Watery Wednesday