Masterpieces of Wooden Architecture of Kenozersky Recognized as World Heritage

The cultural landscape "Protected Kenozerie" in the Arkhangelsk region, located within the territory of the Kenozersky National Park, has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This decision was made in New Delhi at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee. 

The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources reported this on its website. 

"Kenozersky National Park is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, an important area for bird migration and nesting. It is only natural that the national park's project has been included in the World Heritage List. Thanks to the environmental protection status of the territory and the great work of its staff, monuments of folk architecture from the 12th to the 19th centuries have been preserved here. For us, this is further confirmation of Russia's significant contribution to the preservation of values of global importance," stated the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Alexander Kozlov, as quoted on the site.

"Protected Kenozerie" is a peasant landscape in the Arkhangelsk region. It is a unique example of the Russian village way of life, characterized by wooden architecture. Over 30 chapels and churches have been preserved within the national park, allowing for the tracing of the history of architecture in the Russian North.

"Wooden churches and other religious structures, originally adorned with painted ceilings, or 'heavens', are key social, cultural, and visual landmarks of the region. Their spatial organization, along with sacred sites and symbols, emphasizes the spiritual connection of the residents with this environment," the statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources quotes the UNESCO World Heritage site.

As noted by the ministry, "Protected Kenozerie" was included in UNESCO's preliminary list ten years ago and is now the 33rd Russian site to be recognized as a World Heritage site.