|
Originally erected in Shelestovo in 1777, now is on display at the Uzhorod outdoor museum. It was taken apart in 1927 under the Czechoslovak government and moved to Mukaciv. The Czchechoslovak government of that time spent considerable effort in trying to preserve the "wooden architectural beauties". The church from Shelestovo was moved to Mukaciv while others were moved to Prague, Kosice, Hradec Kralovy, Bardejiv and other places. In 1974 the Soviet authorities dismantled the church of Archangel Michael again and moved it to Uzhorod to an outdoor museum. Here it is admired by many tourists but is not used for any religious services.
Some interesting and technical information about the church are:
It is built out of oak logs using traditional log construction techniques.
It is a traditional "Lemko" style three-room (or tripartite) church with each room being topped with suitable domes or cupolas.
The "babynec" or entrance has a tower built over it and it is topped with the tallest dome.
The walls of the tower are vertical signifying that the church follows the "south-eastern Lemko" church architecture. This is in contrast to the "north-western Lemko" church architecture exhibited a pyramidal style tower, where the corner posts are inclined generating inclined sides of the tower. The babynec faces in the westward direction.
The "Nave" (also referred to as naos) of the church is the central room of the church. This is where the faithful come to participate in the services. It is topped with a wide, but mid sized dome.
The "Sanctuary" is the room where the altar stands and the services take place. It is typically of the same size as the "Babynec", but is not topped with a tower, but only a dome or cupola. The sanctuary faces eastward.
The church has a "piddashja" or a wide roof overhang on three sides, north west and south.
|
Shelestovo in Uzhorod. View from the south-east.
The seven bells of the church are not mounted on a bell tower.
(I have not seen a photo or drawing of the original bell tower.)
The Shelestovo icon screen.
|
