Russian Chapel on Vršič

The chapel stands in a quiet spruce forest on the mountainside, just a few dozen metres from the road. The wooden structure sits on a stone foundation in typical Russian style, with two small towers flanking the nave. Originally clad in bark, the exterior was later covered with planks. The copper roof was stolen and restored in 2010. Inside, a modest altar with an iconostasis, wrought-iron chandeliers, and candlesticks fill the small space.

To the right of the chapel, a pyramid-shaped stone memorial and ossuary bears the Cyrillic inscription "To the sons of Russia." It was built by master builder Josip Slavec in 1937–1938 and contains remains discovered during road construction between the chapel and the Koča na Gozdu hut. Beside it lies the grave of POW Peter Polowchev. Scattered along the roadside are mass graves of unknown Russian soldiers.

The site invites quiet reflection. The forest muffles sound; the only noise is wind in the spruce canopy. Information panels in several languages tell the story of the road's construction and the 1916 avalanche tragedy. An augmented reality (AR) experience is available via an app – details on the Kranjska Gora tourism website.

Year built – 1915–1916, wooden construction on a stone foundation

Dedication – Saint Vladimir; memorial to Russian POWs of World War I

Ossuary monument – stone pyramid inscribed "To the sons of Russia," 1937–1938

Location – hairpin turn #8 on Russian Road, 6 km from Kranjska Gora, ~1,100 m elevation

Restoration – 2005 (€90,000), 2010 (copper roof replaced after theft)

Annual ceremony – memorial service in late July or early August

In early 1915, Kranjska Gora became strategically important due to its proximity to the Isonzo Front. Austria-Hungary deployed over 10,000 Russian prisoners of war, captured on the Eastern Front, to build a road over Vršič Pass for supplying troops in the Soča Valley. The POW camp was located roughly midway up the slope. Local residents warned engineers to build avalanche barriers, but the warnings were ignored. In March 1916, an avalanche from the slopes of Mount Mojstrovka engulfed the camp, killing over 300 Russian prisoners and 10 guards.

By November 1916, surviving prisoners built a small wooden chapel in memory of their fallen comrades. In the years following the war, Russian émigrés in Slovenia visited the chapel on the last Sunday of every month. The tradition of memorial ceremonies continues today. The chapel was restored in 2005 (€90,000) and again in 2010 after the copper roof plates were stolen. In 2006, the road from Kranjska Gora to the summit was officially named "Russian Road" (Ruska cesta). The chapel is part of the Walk of Peace trail – an international memorial route along the former Isonzo Front.

From Kranjska Gora (6 km):

– By car along Russian Road (Ruska cesta) – 10–15 min, at hairpin turn #8. Roadside parking

– On foot – 1.5 hours along the switchbacks (6 km, ~300 m elevation gain)

– Summer bus toward Vršič stops 300 m away (July–September, 2 departures/day)

From the summit of Vršič Pass (5.4 km):

– By car – 10 minutes downhill on the north side

– On foot – 1–1.5 hours

From Ljubljana:

– Drive to Kranjska Gora (~1 hour), then 10–15 minutes to the chapel

– Full-day guided tour – most itineraries include the chapel

Season: May–October when the Vršič road is open. In winter, access is on foot only or by snowmobile (arranged through Erjavčeva koča).

Time of day: Morning – quiet, few visitors. The chapel faces east, and morning light illuminates its wooden walls.

Duration: 15–20 minutes for the chapel and memorial. Best combined with a drive over Vršič Pass.

Annual ceremony: Late July or early August. Exact date published on the Kranjska Gora tourism website.