Kizhi Pogost is an ensemble of log structures located on an island in an archipelago in Lake Onega in northern Karelia in the Russian Federation. In 1988 ICOMOS Canada members Andre Scheinman, Charlse Hazel and Herb Stovel had joined ICOMOS members from several other nations for a joint symposium of the International Wood and Vernacular Committees at Petrozavodsk, near Kizhi Island. The symposium reached consensus on appropriate broad conservation approaches for the structures at Kizhi - the need to avoid dismantling, to follow a conservation oriented approach and to safeguard the authenticity of the fabric of the churches.
Within two years the first three Russian sites, Kizhi Pogost among them, were inscribed on the World Heritage List and the door was opened wider for the involvement of the international conservation community to support Russian conservers in the conservation of heritage resources of international significance.
Since 1988 ICOMOS has been active in support of conservation activities at Kizhi. This short paper will focus on the mechanics of applying international skills at Kizhi and the development of a mutually acceptable conservation approach in a multi-national, multi-disciplinary context based on identification and respect for the monument's values and the need to address problems of condition.
UNESCO INSCRIPTION
The site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1990. The Kizhi Pogost inscription recognized the ensemble as:
The inscribed area includes Kizhi Island and nearby islands, peninsulas, channels and mainland - a striking cultural landscape. Karelia has historical, linguistic and cultural links with neighbouring Finland and Kizhi Island is an important stop on the Russian inland waterways tours.
THE SITE AND ITS CULTURAL RESOURCES:
The ensemble comprises the Church of the Transfiguration (c. 1713), the Church of the Intercession (c. 1764), the Bell Tower (1862), the Pogost (enclosure) (various dates and 1959) and the site itself.
Figure 1 (View of the Kizhi ensemble) This article will focus on the Church of the Transfiguration.
CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
The Church of the Transfiguration was constructed during the reign of Peter the Great by the master carpenter Nestor. Legend has it that he was so amazed by what he had created with God's help that he threw his axe into Lake Onega promising to never build another.
The church is a multi-sided polygon made up of an octagon central structure. This element forms the central volume of the church. Extensions step up to a bochka atop each of which is a dome. The eight sides of the central octagon are also roofed by a bochka and a dome. A smaller octagon with four bochka and domes rests on the central structure and a third and smallest octagon with a large single dome on it.
Figure 2 (Octagons, bochka and domes) The last dome on the roof, the 22nd, is over the sanctuary. The overall height of the church is 37m. At the main level a narthex and an open, central entrance porch with two staircases projects from the west side of the building.
Figure 3 (Schematic plan views of the Church of the Transfiguration illustrating its construction - clockwise from the left - main floor level (left); top of the main octagon; top of the second octagon; top of the upper octagon; and the roof)
The church is constructed entirely of debarked pine logs with the exception of roof boarding, windows, doors, flooring, trim and other such details which are sawn or worked flat with the axe or draw-knife. The domes are clad in aspen shingles shaped to fit the contours of the dome. (Figure 4 - view of the church) All logs are natural round except for the interior of the nave where the logs are dressed on the interior surface and the three sides of the sanctuary where they are dressed on both the interior and exterior surfaces. Built as the "summer church" the dressed logs form the interior finish of the building. Because of these variations, a lap-joint constructed with an internal "key" detail is used in the lower areas and above the base of the "sky", a notch joint is used. The logs in the interior spaces above the enclosing "sky" are less well finished, suitable for a concealed space. Several logs retain the evidence of rebates and loops made for floating and hauling them to the work site and up into the building Logs were also vertically joined with wooden pegs driven in bored holes and joining 2 - 3 logs every meter along their length. These variations help to define the traditional approach to the log-builder's craft in this region in the early 18th c. The church rests on a dry laid masonry foundation.
Figure 4 Interior log work above the "sky"
The nave is the principle interior space. It had the iconostasis located to the east and a suspended "sky" ceiling. The baroque style iconostasis seen in historic photographs and now in storage seems to pre-date the church and may have been brought here from another.
Within the first octagon, near the top, a tetrahedral beam comprised of 5 logs crosses the octagon and supports the second octagon above. The third octagon is similarly supported by a beam of three logs near the top of the second octagon. Lateral support is provided by a series of diagonal braces between the first and second octagons.
Figure 5 (Section through the building showing the support for the 3 octagons, the tetrahedral beams and the lateral braces)
In c.1818 the walls were clad with vertical boarding. In the 1860's this cladding was replaced with horizontal boarding and the domes covered with sheet metal.
TECHNICAL ISSUES AT THE CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
Over the 300 years of its history the buildings of the ensemble have deteriorated from the effects of bio-deterioration and the weather. The churches remained in active use until 1937. Since the 1950s, a series of major interventions have been carried out at more or less regular intervals to address on-going deterioration. Unfortunately these interventions have tended to be high-tech, narrowly considered, scientific interventions and have had the effect of accelerating decay and introducing new stresses.
In 1955 a restoration project under the direction of A. Opolovnicov was began during which repairs were made to the log walls. In the mid-1970's vertical braces were installed to stiffen the the log walls. In 1980-82 due to concerns that the Church of the Transfiguration was deforming rapidly, a steel stabilizing structure was installed.
Figure 6 (Steel reinforcing structure installed in 1980) At this time the main floor, the iconostasis and "sky" with its supporting structure were removed to storage.
ADMINISTRATIVE and MANAGEMENT ISSUES:
At the request of the World Heritage Committee and the Russian authorities ICOMOS involvement increased in 1993. It had become apparent that philosophical divisions, fragmented coordination and decision making, and lack of resources continued to affect management of the ensemble. The structure and its fabric continued to deteriorate during a process of seemingly endless study. On the recommendation of an earlier ICOMOS fact finding mission (led by then ICOMOS Secretary-General Herb Stovel) ICOMOS identified a need to provide a level of technical and planning support to the Russian authorities and, with the support of the World Heritage Committee and various ICOMOS International Committees undertook to provide that support. In all eight international specialists in engineering, micology, fire protection, fine art conservation and architectural conservation and 15 Russian specialists were brought together singly and in groups over a period of 2 1/2 years.
ICOMOS OBJECTIVES
The focus and objectives of the ICOMOS involvement were closely defined:
TECHNICAL and CONSERVATION ISSUES:
The areas of involvement were - legal protection, site management, fire protection, iconostasis conservation, documentation, architectural assessment and evaluation, deterioration of the fabric, structural analysis and training requirements. The response to international input was generally welcomed by Russian conservation experts. Some managers and administrators, although generally less enthusiastic, saw it as a way to bring to bring closure to an endless round of study and research and move forward. This proved to be an important aspect of ICOMOS participation. The advantage the ICOMOS team had was that it was able to look at old problems with a fresh perspective and because it had a short time frame within which to do its work, brought a different focus to the issues.
CULTURAL VALUE, AUTHENTICITY, INTEGRITY and TRADITION
Unfortunately opinion among Russian experts on a suitable conservation approach at Kizhi was deeply split. Some felt that further study was necessary to define defects and deterioration more specifically, others supported installation of more elaborate reinforcing structures (steel, polymers, etc.) and the danger of an ad-hoc decision to rebuild continued. It was clear that agreement could not be reached until the buildings were assessed from a cultural value rather than technical defects point of view. Despite a strong attachment to the buildings on cultural grounds this had not been done in a formal manner.
This was done with Russian craft experts and conservation architects through an examination of tool marks, metal fasteners, exterior notches, interior witness marks, log finish, log construction practice, cut shapes for transportation and lifting, carpenters evidence (script or coins under columns; carpenter's marks), chinking, log repair practices, structural repair and reinforcement practices, dendrochronology and known alterations. This study led to some interesting, useful and sometimes surprising conclusions. It was found that:
CONCLUSIONS AND RESULTS
It was clear from the observed deterioration of the fabric and the structural properties of the building that despite extensive deterioration the service-life of the fabric could be extended through a combination of minor repairs, correcting selected structural defects, providing supplementary support and protecting the exterior of the building through installation of suitably designed exterior protection.
A CONSERVATION CONCEPT PLAN
Based on this work from 1992 to 1995 the ICOMOS team and Russian experts met in Helsinki to develop a conservation concept for the Kizhi Churches. The concept was a synthesis of the studies and investigations done to date and took the form of general principles and a series of recommendations to the Russian authorities. It reflected the findings of the Russian/ICOMOS team. Occasionally the dearly held views of our Russian colleagues shine through. Of particular interest is the strength of the Norwegian and Finnish views on the importance of the craftsman in conservation often as athe subject of conservation. What follows is an abbreviated form of the Conservation Concept Plan developed by the project team.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES:
THE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Replacement of logs: Some logs will have to be replaced. Further study of the extent of deterioration is not necessary. It is essential that decisions about the need to repair or replace individual logs be made by a team which includes the conservation architect, engineer and the craftsmen. Logs with strong evidence of the craftsman shall be protected.
To restore or maintain the structural integrity of the church it is essential that each log be able to carry the forces applied to it. Replacement logs should be fitted from one corner-notch to the other, thereby ensuring the continuity of the structure around the building.
Repair of the Structure: The objective is to restore and maintain the structural integrity of the log construction. This can be done by carrying out a few specific repairs to correct specific problems in the traditional structure. These repairs should contribute to the traditional manner of support.
Reinforcement of the Structure: To ensure the safety of the church and reduce replacement of original logs additional, non-traditional structural reinforcement will be required. This reinforcement should not replace the original log structure but should assist and support it. The original load paths within the structure and the structural intent of the original builders must be maintained. Decisions about structural reinforcement must be considered in balance with decisions to replace or not replace original logs. Modern materials such as steel, plastics and epoxies must not be used. Where structural reinforcement is required it should be in wood.
Deformations and Inclinations: The building is deformed out of vertical. The goal of the project should to create a stable building not a straight one. Some lean and deformation should be accepted providing the building is stable.
Foundations: Although the building has been on this site for 280 years and is probably stable, the inclination of the church and uneven settlement show that some improvement of the foundations might be required. As a minimum the existing stone piers should be consolidated and the base logs replaced with new ones. Any foundation under the church should be based on the traditional system of 16 support points. A continuous strip foundation of concrete would not be appropriate.
CONCLUSIONS
The Kizhi case illustrates the feasibility of bringing significant international skills to bear at a site in need. It requires, however,:
The results can be both broad and specific, tangible and intangible.
Everyone benefits from the new focus.
In June 1995 the Russian Ministry of Culture endorsed the concept for the long-term conservation of the structures at Kizhi Pogost.
The ICOMOS Team comprised:
Johann Mattson, Norway
Peter Aune, Norway
Sjur Helseth, Norway
Pasi Kaarto, Finland
Penttti Pietarila, Finland
Joe Lofersky, USA
Steve Kelly, USA
Andrew Powter, Canada (Project Coordinator)
Special thanks to Sergei Kulikov, Nadya Medvedeva, Irena Markina, Tatyana Vahremeeva and Yuri Piskunov
