Churches have always occupied a special place among various architectural sights, because they are not just beautiful old buildings, but sacred places, where people for many years have been saying prayers. In such places you can feel a special energy, there is an amazing atmosphere. You can feel such atmosphere in a small Carpathian village Vorokhta by visiting the wooden Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary — one of the most ancient temples of the Hutsul region.
The wooden Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary rises on a hill in the northern part of the village. It is one of the oldest of the surviving Hutsul churches, the oldest building in Vorokhta, which is said to be the most interesting sight in the Carpathians, having a special energy and inspiring all those who see it with their own eyes. This temple was built without a single nail in the best traditions of wooden folk architecture of the Hutsul school, being quite small, nevertheless it seems solemn and makes a vivid impression.
When exactly this church was built is unknown. Some historians believe that in 1654-1657 years, others are of the opinion that the temple was erected in 1615. What is known for sure is that its construction was carried out in the village of Yablunitsa, located not far from Vorokhta, where it stood for several decades, and it was moved to Vorokhta in 1780.
The external and internal appearance of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary has remained virtually unchanged to this day. This building, which is more than three centuries old, has not been rebuilt or remodeled, so today it looks the same as it did hundreds of years ago, which is of great value and rarity for fans of ancient architecture. In 1979, under the guidance of masters B. Kindzelski, G. Kruk and I. Mogitic, restoration was carried out, as a result of which the exterior and interior decoration was only carefully renewed without disturbing the historical appearance of the building.
In plan the church is cross-shaped, with a square middle blockhouse, which is flanked by four rectangular blockhouses of elongated shape. Each log adjoining to the nave quatrefoil is smaller than it in height, completed with a gable roof with a small dome and gables, the side walls are decorated with crosses. Due to the harmony of forms and architectural proportions of this building, it is called one of the most perfect, truly Hutsul, although it is also one of the smallest of its kind. Being one of the smallest, the Vorokhtyanskaya Church of the Nativity of the Virgin nevertheless does not seem squat, which is characteristic of many old wooden churches. The interior decoration of the church is also spacious and has a cozy, rustic atmosphere. The wall paintings preserved since the XIX century are illuminated by soft light penetrating through the small windows of the dome, thanks to such lighting the atmosphere in the temple seems even more fascinating and amazing.
A visit to the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin will make holiday in Vorokhta even more unforgettable, will leave the brightest memories, and you can understand it on the approach to the ancient building, the territory of which is surrounded by mengir stones — an ancient ritual fence, which in ancient times marked sacred places.