Sacred landscape of rural historical settlements of the Russian North and the Arctic

The article presents the results of a research monuments of religious wooden architecture. They are considered as the main component of the settlements sacred landscape in the Russian North and the Arctic. The case study uses materials from the village of Kimzha, Mezensky District, Arkhangelsk Region. However, the author also addresses religious buildings in the territory of Oneghskoye and Terskoye Pomorye. The object of research is the sacred landscape of rural historical settlements in the Russian North. The research aim is to analyze the sacred landscapes of settlements at the present stage of their existence (late 20th–early 21st centuries). The case study uses new materials from a field survey of the representative village of Kimzha. Materials of the Pomor and Tersky coasts research are also used. The research is based on the application of the methodology of Dr. of Cultural Studies A.B. Permilovskaya on architectural and ethnographic survey of wooden architecture objects, on historical settlements as objects of cultural heritage. Scientific novelty consists in specifying the range of surviving monuments of religious architecture, their significance in the process sacred landscapes formation not only in historical retrospect, but also at the current moment in time. It is concluded that the wooden church, chapel, cross in rural historical settlements of the North are preserved and recreated within the framework of the existing canon, due to which the continuity of both carpentry and religious traditions is ensured. They also acquire the function of preserving collective memory, a tool for transmitting the cultural experience of the people; they acquire special significance as visual and historical-cultural dominants in the cultural and sacred landscape of settlements, contributing to the development of local tourism industries.

sacred landscape, traditional culture, cult architecture, wooden architecture, church, cross, Pomors, Orthodoxy, Russian North, Arctic