The pinnacle of traditional architecture: models of wooden architecture at "The Birth of Scale" exposition

A large part of "The Birth of Scale" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA is devoted to scale models of examples of wooden architecture.

Russian wooden architecture is a unique phenomenon that emerged as early as the Stone Age and remains an important element of everyday life and the cultural legacy of our country.

"The golden age of Russian wooden architecture fell between the 15th and 18th centuries. During that time all the main churches and architectural complexes that are now treasured worldwide were built. The most famous of all is the Kizhi Pogost, located on Kizhi Island in Lake Onega. It has become a true symbol of Russia abroad," said Dmitriy Lesnykh, senior guide at the National Centre RUSSIA and author of the tour of "The Birth of Scale" exposition.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The exposition features models of the 1774 Assumption Church in the town of Kondopoga (Karelia), a 16th‑century bell‑tower in the village of Kuliga, as well as a 17th‑century bell‑tower in the village of Rakuly and the 18th‑century Church of Saints Florus and Laurus in Shenkursky district — all located in Arkhangelsk region.

Visitors can also see models of the 1674 Assumption Church in the village of Vazruga (Murmansk region), the 17th‑century Transfiguration Church in the village of Spas‑Vezhi (Kostroma region), the 1700 Saviour Church from the vanished Arctic town of Zashiversk (Yakutia) and the 1721 Trinity Church in the village of Nenoksa (Arkhangelsk region).

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The architectural exposition "The Birth of Scale" at the National Centre presents both realised project as well as those that remained only as ideas and plans. The exposition includes both items from the National Centre RUSSIA’s own collection and those provided by museums and private collectors across the country.

Watch the series of the National Centre RUSSIA’s educational lectures on architecture with Yelizaveta Likhacheva and learn more about the Russian architecture.

Partners of "The Birth of Scale" exposition include DOM.RF, the Ministry of Construction of Russia, Gazprom, the State Research Museum of Architecture named after A. V. Shchusev, the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art, the Architectural Charitable Foundation named after Yakov Chernikhov, and the HSE School of Design.