Open-Air Museums for Preservation of Wooden Churches: Vitoslavlitsy Museum in the Novgorod Region

Preservation of wooden architecture is an important and pressing issue for most historic settlements. Wooden churches, as a manifestation of the Russian national culture, are of particular interest. With increasing urbanization, many historic settlements become deserted or even disappear, raising the problem of preserving valuable structures in their original locations.

Purpose: The purpose is to examine methods of moving wooden religious buildings to new locations in an attempt to preserve them, using the example of open-air museums in Russia. The paper studies formation process of the Vitoslavlitsy Museum in the Novgorod region, where a significant number of relocated wooden Orthodox churches have been preserved.

Methodology: The paper works on the collected and analyzed data on the methodology for relocating wooden churches to the Vitoslavlitsy Open-Air Museum. The principles of organization and operation are discussed, as well as a concept for improving the work of wooden architecture museums.

Practical implications: Research materials can be used to conduct scientific research in the field and in the preparation of projects for the organization of museums, tourist routes and other events relating to the promotion and preservation of the historical and architectural heritage.

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