Historical Russian wooden architecture

Ancient Russian wooden architecture is a unique cultural phenomenon that, over the centuries, has embodied the spirit of the people, their craftsmanship, and their deep connection with nature. Churches, houses, and towers built without a single nail still amaze with their beauty, engineering ingenuity, and remarkable sense of harmony. This art form retains its significance and continues to influence modernity, remaining one of the symbols of Russian culture.

"In Russia, churches, bell towers, and houses are all made of wood," wrote English navigator Richard Johnson in 1556, describing his first impressions of Muscovite Russia. The observations of foreign travellers, who often highlighted this distinctive feature of the Russian architectural landscape, underscore wooden architecture as one of the most original expressions of the creative potential of the Russian people.

During this lecture, attendees will explore the panorama of wooden churches in the Russian North — a region that long remained untouched by the reforms of Peter the Great and preserved ancient Russian traditions and carpentry techniques in its remote corners until the late 18th century.

Lecturer

Evgeny Khodakovsky is a Doctor of Art History, Head of the Department of Russian Art History at St Petersburg University, and a laureate of the Makaryev and Zabelin Prizes. He is the author of several monographs on the history of Russian wooden architecture.

This lecture is part of the celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of Russia’s oldest university — St Petersburg University.

The event will be held online in Russian with simultaneous translation into Spanish.

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