This small church in Russia made it into the Guinness Book of Records!
A small church located in the middle of the Vuoksa River in Leningrad Region is famous not only in Russia. The Church of St. Andrew is recognized as the only one in the world built on an island, the foundation of which was a monolithic rock protruding from the water.
It is about 100 kilometers from St. Petersburg to the village of Melnikovo. A little over an hour of travel and a peaceful landscape opens up before you: on an island (with an area of only 100 square meters) in the middle of the river stands a small wooden church. You can get to it via a bridge.
The church was built in 2000 according to the design of Andrei Rotinov. He was inspired by the architecture of one of the most famous and ancient Russian churches – the Ascension in Kolomenskoye, Moscow.
The church was consecrated in the name of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called: It is believed that he visited these places and even baptized local residents in the waters of the Vuoksa.
Wedding and baptism services and ceremonies are held there. But, many come simply to admire the magnificent scenery: it seems that the church literally floats above the water and the harsh Karelian nature shades its discreet beauty.
