Kozhan-Gorodok. St. Nicholas Church.

Usually wooden Polesie temples are very modest in size. The church in Kozhan-Gorodok is an exception and stands out for its size and the number of domes - there are five of them.

The shrine was built in 1818 on a mound. According to local legend, this mound was filled by French prisoners of war, and the sand for the hill was worn almost in hats. St. Nicholas Church is a classic example of local wooden Polesie architecture, but in some elements there are features of the Baroque style. The church appeared thanks to a generous nobleman named Schitt, and it was built by several craftsmen, simple farmhands. All of them were illiterate, but this did not prevent them from creating a unique monument of folk architecture - an impressive church built without a single nail. In 1867, the first restoration of the temple took place. A three-tiered bell tower was completed to the church, which slightly violated the symmetry of the building. Since then, the turrets with domes seem to look in different directions. After a not entirely successful restoration in Soviet times, the church was popularly called the Pisa Church because of its slight tilt.

At the moment, the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is a large multi-tiered cruciform structure. A two-storey bell tower rises above the entrance.

The center of the temple - an average log cabin with a dome (there are five log cabins in total) stands out for its volume and height. The other four log cabins, arranged symmetrically, have one small turret each. In general, the temple is a five-domed pyramid-shaped composition that harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape. The exterior decoration of the church, according to the Polesie traditions, is quite simple: only minimal decor is used. These are gilded crosses on domes and artistically decorated window frames. Wooden carvings made by a local artist in the Empire style have still been preserved.

The interior of the temple is striking in its richness and beauty. A two-tiered gilded iconostasis made in the technique of overhead carving has a special artistic value. Wooden sculptures deserve special attention, which is very rare in Orthodox churches. The various crucifixes and figures of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul are interesting and unique. Magnificent wood carvings and a gilded iconostasis are masterpieces of local craftsmen. In the church there is a temple icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in a carved kiosk, built back in 1730, and renovated by the efforts of the parishioners of the church. A lamp, presented by St. Tsar Nicholas 2 in honor of his ascension to the All-Russian throne in 1894, hangs near the temple icon, as evidenced by the engraving on the lamp itself. Darkened icons are looking from the walls - the most ancient "Trinity of the New Testament" and "Archangel Michael" belong to the eighteenth century. Here are the icons "Annunciation" of the XVIII century, "The Birth of Christ", "The Mother of God with the Baby", the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Combining all the elements of the temple create a special and well-remembered appearance, at the same time solemn and harmoniously finished. 

St. Nicholas Church in Kozhan-Gorodok is called the pearl of the Belarusian Polesie. There you can plunge into the historical past of our country and enjoy the beauty and talent of people who think about the future generation. This is an amazing and unforgettable temple!