Wooden design
Shingles and two small towers in Russian style.
Helmlechner — CC0 · Dage - Looking For Europe — CC BY 2.0 · Dage - Looking For Europe — CC BY 2.0 · Dage - Looking For Europe — CC BY 2.0 · Dage - Looking For Europe — CC BY 2.0
The Russian Chapel is a small wooden Orthodox chapel on the Russian Road, on the northern side of the Vršič Pass, dedicated to St Vladimir. Prisoners of war from the Russian Empire built it, and it stands as a memorial to those who died in these mountains during the First World War. In 1915 the Austro-Hungarian authorities ordered a military road across the pass and forced prisoners to build it, then to keep it clear of snow all year. In March 1916 an avalanche buried a prisoners' camp, with sources giving different days. During 1916 and 1917, 106 prisoners and 18 guards died in avalanches. The prisoners built this chapel for their religious needs, finishing it in 1915 or by January 1916 at the latest. You see a small shingled building with two little towers on either side of the nave, in typical Russian style, among the forest trees. Beside it is the grave of the prisoner Peter Polowchev, and to its right a pyramid-shaped tomb of unknown prisoners from 1937 and 1938, its Cyrillic inscription reading To the sons of Russia. The chapel lies about 5.1 km from Kranjska Gora and 2.2 km from the top of the pass in a straight line. Parking is limited on the winding road, so take care crossing. This is a place of remembrance and worship, so dress modestly, keep your voice down and do not climb on the memorials.
Shingles and two small towers in Russian style.
A memorial to unknown prisoners beside the chapel.
A quiet spot among the trees by the road.
Russian Road, Vršič Pass, Slovenia
Prisoners of war from the Russian Empire, who were put to work building the Vršič Pass road.
About 20 to 45 minutes, and most people stop on their way over the pass.