Ilyinsky Vodlozersky churchyard, Orthodox monastery in Kuganavolokskoye rural settlement, Russia.

Ilyinsky Vodlozersky churchyard is a wooden church complex with bell tower surrounded by heavy log fencing on a small island in Vodlozersky National Park. The buildings sit in isolated surroundings in the middle of forest and water.

The churchyard was founded in 1798 and belongs to a group of about two dozen wooden architecture monuments in this geographical region. Written sources indicate that activities at this location began already in the 16th century.

The wooden church displays traditional Russian Orthodox construction methods with craftsmanship details typical of the region. Visitors can observe how the wooden structure withstands the harsh northern environment with local building techniques.

Visitors reach the churchyard via a roughly 40-kilometer hiking route that starts in the village of Varishpelda, where lodging is available. Travel proceeds on foot or by boat through forested areas and waterways to the island site.

The wooden fence follows the same construction style as the Kizhi churchyard and shows how religious buildings in northern Europe were built using consistent methods. These parallels help visitors understand regional building techniques more clearly.

• Location: Kuganavolokskoye rural settlement
• Inception: 1798
• GPS coordinates: 62.38010,36.90772
• Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:21