Lost in Translation
Looking for meanings in words, images and sounds
SUNDAY POST: Architecture
What is the purpose of architecture, beside the utilitarian and aesthetic one? It is to teach us history, like in the case of this small quaint chapel in the middle of Slovenian woods.
During my recent trip to Slovenia I stumbled upon an odd piece of architecture, a Russian chapel, standing amid the forest near the edge of the Vršič pass road at some 1,600 m altitude.
What struck me as odd was the typical Russian design which was never to be expected in the western Balkans. This has made me research, naturally, and I’ve learned that the chapel was initially built in 1916 by WWI Russian prisoners that had been ordered by Austro-Hungarian authorities to build a road through then strategically important town of Kranjska Gora. The prisoners worked in appalling conditions fighting heavy snowfall, and during an avalanache some 300 of them were killed. A year later a Russian memorial chapel was built by the remaining prisoners to honour their perished comrades.
My picture shows the chapel as it was renovated in 2005, a year before the Vršič road itself was renamed Ruska cesta (Russian Road) in memory of the killed soldiers.
Being a reminder of WWI, and a symbolic link between Slovenia and Russia, this little chapel provided me with another lesson in history.
Here is a traditional Russian song (instrumental) I hope you’ll like.
Lost in Translation 
How beautiful, Paula. Love the music too, it really created the right atmosphere. 🙂
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I thought you might like the music :). Thank you for stopping by AD…. 🙂
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Beautifully captured Paula. Also, thanks for the history lesson!
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Aha, that was me .. slow? Well, I have a fever, what is your excuse? 😛
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I’m dumber than dirt! 😛
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😉 well you should know dirt with the photos you make 😉
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You are welcome, and I am grateful 😉
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Loved it! And adored the music!
Thank you ,Paula
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Grazie, mi cara Anna. Non ti ho scrito perche ancora sto male. Buonanotte a te. Un abbraccio!
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Nice! Very enjoyable…thanks Paula! 🙂
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Thank you Nancy!
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Great post! I join everyone else in saying thanks for the history lesson that puts the picture in perspective. 😀
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I had to do some research 🙂 Much obliged Julie 🙂
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Great post, nice to read about the history of the chapel. I would say architecture is the footprints of a “culture” in history 🙂
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“Footprints of a culture” – I love that, Bashar 🙂
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Bellissimo post!!!
Complimenti!!
Un cordiale saluto
Claudio
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Grazie Claudio, Saluti a te 🙂
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Beautiful post Paula ,I really love it thanks for sharing my friend 🙂
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🙂 I should thank you for the challenge Jake 🙂 I am sorry I’ve skipped your last theme cause of my trip …. I am very curious about your next challenge 😀
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Fairy tale castle
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🙂 😀
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Interesting history lesson. Thanks Paula!
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🙂 sometimes a bit of a research is required 😉 Thank you CG.
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A tribute to the past, a place where we can be still and remember. Thank you, Paula.
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🙂 Thank you dear Mar…
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Such a clever selection for the architecture theme. Enjoy the music and love the pic. Thank you so much 🙂 Hope you weekend is going well, Paula.
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Hello dear Amy, I was sure I replied to you and others… I wonder what happened, maybe I did it in my dream :S Thank you, honey.
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Wow! That’s amazing Paula!
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A huge compliment coming from a photographer of your standing :). Thank you dear Phil.
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Claro que me gusta Paula!!
Que increible! Es espectacular; me imagino que fue una experiencia increible encontrar esta obra de arte en el medio de un bosque.
Que buena foto!!
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Fue un hallazgo inesperado :). Que bueno que te guste Pablo.
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Cool! Are you able to go in the chapel? Just wondering… 😉
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It was closed, and besides I think it is more attractive on the outside 😉
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Pingback: SUNDAY POST: Architecture–The Design of Space… | Simply Charming
Una triste historia, pero sin duda un paraje precioso… la música después de leerlo creo que le viene muy bien…
fantástico, como siempre…!
Besos de los de… ya sabes! de los de lunes por la mañana.
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Te agradezco con besos de viernes … dia de Venus 😉
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What a pretty little church, Paula. Thanks for the history.
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🙂 it puts this small thing into perspective :D. Many thanks Jo 😉
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Great capture! It seems like your photographs are continuing to improve week after week! Well done!
Nate
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It is so nice to hear this. Thank you, Nate 🙂
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Wonderful photo!
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Thank you 🙂
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What a stunning shot! The music really does strike a chord to all those lost souls . . .
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I am glad you think so, Patti… 🙂 Thank you dear!
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I really appreciate the instrumental title credit..
Thanks for your ‘history’ sharing… 🙂
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🙂 It was my pleasure, Bams. Thank you!
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That is certainly an important place. Really glad you looked into its history. Will you do more shots of it?
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Hello Allan 🙂 This spot is a bit out of my way, so I am not sure 😉 and besides I think it looks best in autumn cause the foliage matches perfectly the timber of the chapel 🙂
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That is Just picture perfect 🙂
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Thank you Mekala! 🙂
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Great post! This time, the picture is nothing with your awesome words. Brilliant posting!
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😀 This is so kind of you, Rommel 🙂 THANK YOU.
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Very nice shot. That chappel looks toy-like 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
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A Lego chapel 😉
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Est-ce que c’est la maison de l’esprit de la forêt ? 🙂
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Cela pourrait etre 🙂 Ne lui donne pas d’idee 😉
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