Lost Russia

The twentieth century in Russia has been a cataclysm of rare proportions, as war, revolution, famine, and massive political terror tested the limits of human endurance. The results of this assault on Russian culture are particularly evident in ruined architectural monuments, some of which are little known even within Russia itself.

Over the past two decades William Craft Brumfield, noted historian of Russian architecture, has traveled throughout Russia and photographed many of these neglected, lost buildings, haunting in their ruin. Lost Russia provides a unique view of Brumfield's acclaimed work, which illuminates Russian culture as reflected in these remnants of its distinctive architectural traditions.

. Capturing the quiet, ineffable beauty that graces these buildings, these photographs are accompanied by a text that provides not only a brief historical background for Russian architecture, but also Brumfield's personal impressions, thoughts, and insights on the structures he views. Churches and monasteries from the fifteenth to the twentieth century as well as abandoned, ruined manor houses are shown - ravaged by time, willful neglect, and cultural vandalism.

In addition to the ruins of Russian architecture, Lost Russia illustrates examples of recent local initiatives to preserve cultural landmarks from steady decline and destruction. The book concludes with photographs of the remarkable log architecture found in Russia's far north, culminating with the Church of the Transfiguration on the island of Kizhi - itself in imminent danger owing to the lack of such preservation efforts.