Published 30 April 2012
The wooden church, one of Russia's unique architectural treasures, is in danger of extinction. Once dotting the landscape by the thousand, years of harsh weather, fires, war, and neglect have not been kind. Today, some 200 churches remain. Most date from the 1700s and are located in the northern regions of Arkhangelsk, Karelia, and Vologda. In 2002 architectural photographer Richard Davies set out to document these vanishing landmarks. More than nine years and a dozen trips later, he hopes his recently published book, "Wooden Churches – Traveling in the Russian North," will help the country avert a potential cultural tragedy.