The Russian chapel
The Russian chapel
4
About
The Russian chapel was built to honour the memory of those who died and to serve as a reminder of the follies of war. Russians prisoners built the neat little chapel between 1916 and 1917. The chapel has two small towers built in traditional Russian style. All around the chapel and along the roadside are the graves of Russian soldiers. In the First World War Vrsic was a strategic point providing the Austrian troops a more accessible router to the Soča Front. The supply of arms was crucial and the road to Vrsic had to be kept clear at all times, including during the winter months. Therefore, in winter, huge amounts of snow were cleared from the road by Russian prisoners of war under close supervision of the Austrian army. One day a huge avalanche buried the Russian prison camp, killing more than three hundred Russian prisoners and ten of their guards.
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4.0
288 reviews
Excellent
119
Very good
119
Average
47
Poor
2
Terrible
1
17Edy6
Brezovica pri Ljubljani, Slovenia257 contributions
Sept 2020
The Russian chapel is on the way (road) to top of pass Vršič. Recommended to visit it. Russian prisoners from 1. world built it from wood. The place is beautiful and silent. Tragic history.
Written 16 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wombling_Free_7548
Bristol, UK2,170 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
This was a moving experience, a beautiful chapel commemorating a terrible loss. There are steps up to the chapel but it was manageable. Well signposted. Highly recommended.
Note that there is a separate Russian cross at bend #3.
Note that there is a separate Russian cross at bend #3.
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SloZlo
Portoroz, Slovenia102 contributions
July 2017
The church has a special character for the locals. It is a sacred monument of Orthodox Russians who were prisoners of war. The locals say that a small pyramid at the church of the tomb of the Russian soldiers who worked on the road and found them buried underneath. It is also the story of a bell as the orignal bell was stolen and slaughtered for weapons. A bell was to be brought by two US soldiers He gave it to the church.
Written 23 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harrison F. Carter
Auckland, New Zealand12,826 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
It's got a little parking lay-by, which, if you are lucky, will be free, and it is well worth taking a stop here. Lovely to see and lots of benches dotted around.
Written 29 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bluesdude-SG
Singapore, Singapore165 contributions
July 2018
I would suggest reading about the history of this chapel before making your way here. We drove here from our apartment near Lake Jasna and there was a parking lot just opposite the chapel. The chapel is very small and it was closed when we visited. Although there wasn't much to see, the visit was certainly educational and allowed us to have a better appreciation of the sacrifices made by those involved in the construction of the Vršič Pass road.
Written 24 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HUWJONE
Warrington, UK59 contributions
Sept 2020 • Solo
After all those great hairpin bends (from the north) it was great just to stop off at this interesting place for a short break.
Written 21 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K3341BVglenns
Gillette, WY49 contributions
Sept 2019
This place is georgeous. What a beautiful memorial. The history posted on signs is very helpful to understand the significance. Beautiful drive to get there too. It won't take long to see it but it is sure wort seeing.
Written 6 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
coco19
Plymouth, UK12 contributions
Sept 2019
Built to commemorate the russion prisoners of war killed in an avalanche, this can be a peaceful place (though there are often coach parties there). Very interesting especially if open
Written 16 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Travel_Bunch
Bristol, UK80 contributions
Aug 2019
Pull in at bend 8 and take the very short walk up to the church - great sobering stop at the beginning of our drive to make us appreciate the sacrifices of Russian POWs building the road as we drove the rest of the crazy switchbacks. Can't go in the church but beautifully made.
Written 31 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RetiredBritz
United Kingdom287 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
This small larch chapel built to commemorate the deaths of many Russians who died during the construction of the Vrsič Pass is between bends 8 and 9. It's easy to miss as it's tucked away in the trees, but there's a car park opposite so just park there and you'll find it. You can't go inside the chapel, but it's and interesting monument and piece of history.
Written 20 June 2019
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