Travels in Finland and abroad

February 12, 2010

Church scale models from matches / Maquetas de Iglesias de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d’allumettes

Filed under: All art pics,Churches-miniature,Miniature churches — Sartenada @ 07:48
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In English:

Think this before looking my photos. Buy matches; take an old photo from an old church and start to make a miniature from it. Easy, not at all, because if You think carefully, a photo is only two-dimensional, not three-dimensional. What about scale? How to do it?

Well, on January 2010, I was visiting an exhibition of miniature churches made from matches. An old veteran of WWII has made during 40 years miniatures from all those churches we had to leave to Soviet Union when we lost the war. He was also born and living in that huge area called Karelia where 400000 refugees had to leave all their properties there. In Karelia there were plenty of churches, because people were believer, and he made a match church from all of them and many others.

To make one match church takes half an winter. The most difficult lasted one whole winter. Photo from that church is the second one from the end. That match church is a splendid model from the church of Kizhi on island on lake Onega in Russian Karelia.

En español:

Piense sobre esto antes de mirar mis fotos. Compra fósforos, toma una foto vieja de una vieja iglesia y empeza a hacer una miniatura de la misma. Fácil, no lo es, porque si lo piensas detenidamente, una foto es sólo de dos dimensiones, no tridimensional. ¿Cómo observar la escala? ¿Cómo hacerlo?

Bueno, en enero de 2010, estaba visitando a una exposición de las iglesias en miniatura hechas de fósforos. Un veterano de la Segunda Guerra Mundial ha hecho durante 40 años miniaturas de todas las iglesias que tuvimos que dejar a la Unión Soviética, cuando perdimos la guerra. Él también nació y vivía en esa zona enorme llamado Carelia donde 400.000 refugiados tuvieron que abandonar todas sus propiedades allí. En Carelia había un montón de iglesias, porque la gente era creyente, y él hizo iglesias de fósforos de todos ellas y muchas otras.

Para hacer una iglesia de fósforo tarda una media de invierno. El más difícil iglesia duró un invierno entero. La foto de esta iglesia es la segunda desde el final. Esta iglesia es un modelo de fósforo espléndida de la iglesia de Kizhi en la isla en el lago Onega, en la Carélie rusa.

En francais:

Réfléchissez à cela avant de regarder mes photos. Achetez allumettes, prenez une vieille photo d’une vieille église et commencez à faire une miniature d’elle. Facile, pas du tout, parce que si vous réfléchissez bien, une photo est seulement à deux dimensions, pas trois dimensions. Qu’en est-échelle? Comment le faire?

Eh bien, en janvier 2010, je visitais une exposition d’églises miniatures fabriqués d’allumettes. Un vétéran de la Seconde Guerre mondiale a fait au cours des 40 années toutes ces églises que nous avons dû quitter à l’Union soviétique lorsque nous avons perdu la guerre. Il a également été nés et vécu dans cette immense zone appelée Carélie, où 400.000 réfugiés ont dû laisser tous leurs biens là-bas. En Carélie, il y avait beaucoup d’églises, parce que les gens ont été croyant, et il a fait toutes de l’églises là et aussi de beaucoup d’autres.

Pour faire une église d’allumettes prends une demi-hiver. Le plus difficile èglises d’allumette a duré un hiver entier. Photo de cette église est la deuxième à partir de la fin. Cette église d’allumettes est un belle maquette de l’église sur l’île de Kiji, sur le lac Onega, en Carélie russe.

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

Church scale models from matches / Iglesias de maquetas de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d'allumettes

53 Comments »

  1. Bonjour Matti,
    Un travail phénoménal, surtout pour les dômes des églises orthodoxes.
    Mais qu’ont elles subi pendant la guerre : vandalisées, brûlées pour certaines ?
    Bel hommage, nostalgique et patriotique. Difficile de voir un tel patrimoine tomber dans d’autres mains et dans un tel contexte, avec tout ce que ça implique aussi pour les populations.
    Bon week-end.

    Comment by Marion B. — February 12, 2010 @ 08:58 | Reply

  2. Bonjour Marion.

    C’est vrai, t’as touchée, quelqu’unes. On peut dire ça avec un cœur qui saigne. Merci beaucoup pour ta sympathie. Ma femme a sa descendance de Carélie parce que sa père a né là.

    Bon week-end á toi aussi.

    Comment by sartenada — February 12, 2010 @ 12:54 | Reply

  3. Did one man really make all those models? I have seen models to buy in toy shops in Scotland, where everything was in the box ready to be made, but even then it was impossible. I tried to choose a favourite but I can’t decide between the very complicated models or the simpler buildings, which are more to my taste in real life. How does he do the roofs on the tops of the domes, are they flattened matches or some other little leaf shaped pieces of wood? It would be nice to have just one of these sitting in a house. If they take half a winter to make then they would not be very viable for anyone as a business. Thank you for such a lovely story.

    Comment by jackiequeen — February 12, 2010 @ 14:58 | Reply

    • Hello Jackiequeen.

      Thank You for Your interest. I do not knot how he is doing the roofs on the tops of the domes. Maybe “professional secret”. Yes, he has made all of these and these were not all, because he told that in his home he has more. With half winter I mean six months (year divided into two parts). Summer is summer and then every Finn enjoys it with full heart. I guess that this man is great patriot as Marion sayed. All my respect to this man who has a little bit bizarre hobby. French has a very good expression: “Chapeau!”, meaning “Hat off” (in front of that veteran).

      Also, maybe I am some kind of soul-mate of this veteran, because one of my hobby is just to photograph churches. Until now I have photographed more than 350 churches by taking from 20 to 50 photos from everyone. Also when making a photograph trip (preplanned) it can take up to 14 hours and kilometers up 650 / 403 miles on winding local small roads. That must be somekind of madness of hobby.

      Comment by sartenada — February 12, 2010 @ 15:45 | Reply

  4. Good evening, Matti
    I am thrilled and speechless at the same time. They are little works of art to earn their admiration. I think I know how much work, patience and sense it. These little matchsticks to change a small world. It is a priceless collection, one must be careful. Each church is unique and acts on its way very beautiful and natural. Now that’s missing is the Cologne Cathedral in between. Perhaps, he created even in the hands of the artist. I am grateful that I could look at it. I wish you and Anja all the best for your health and daily ways. I look forward to your next pictures, and thank you sincerely for your comments. Dear greetings Christel

    Comment by Christel — February 12, 2010 @ 23:13 | Reply

    • Hello Christel.

      How glad I am that You appreciated these “pieces of art”. To do things using one’s hand is not so easy at all. If somebody thinks that it is easy, so he/she can do the same or better ones and show here then. One thing that I did not emphasize is that all the photos, he has, are old black and white photos dating back many decades, small sizes. To see details one needs to use magnifying glass. We who are much younger with better eyesight are not thinking this kind of things.

      I know that many men who were in war and when there was trench warfare, they made what ever peculiar things from wood.

      Thank Christel commenting and visiting my site.

      Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2010 @ 10:03 | Reply

  5. Such detail and beauty from matchsticks. Those are amazing. The artist is very talented!

    Comment by kateri — February 13, 2010 @ 14:22 | Reply

    • Hello Kateri.

      I enjoy about Your comment because I agree with You with my full heart.

      Happy Saturday!

      Comment by sartenada — February 13, 2010 @ 14:33 | Reply

  6. Completely amazing! I have never seen anything like those and can only begin to imagine all of the painstaking work they must have been. I take my hat off to him! thank you for showing the photos.

    Comment by montucky — February 13, 2010 @ 18:14 | Reply

    • Hello Montucky.

      Thank You Sir. I apperciate Your nice comment. To me it was important to read that many people can appreciate this kind of hobby or better “his hobby of lifelong” lasting 40 years.

      Comment by sartenada — February 14, 2010 @ 09:28 | Reply

  7. It is a wonderful thing you do photographing churches be it of match sticks or of granite and marble. I am so uninformed of your history and culture, but by your presentations I am learning. You have a unique flare in the choice of and of how your photograph your subjects. Well done.

    Comment by Preston Surface — February 14, 2010 @ 14:45 | Reply

    • Hi Preston.

      I am “blushing” from Your comment. Also I am very happy, when reading Your words, that You have learned something from my world by viewing my photos. Happy St.Valentine’s Day 2010 to You and Anna.

      Comment by sartenada — February 14, 2010 @ 15:09 | Reply

  8. Amazing work, I love the detail. This artwork is remarkable, thank you for sharing these photos!

    Comment by Lola — February 14, 2010 @ 19:54 | Reply

    • Hello Lola.

      Thank You for Your visit and for Your nice comment.

      Comment by sartenada — February 15, 2010 @ 07:12 | Reply

  9. Those are lovely. He mut be very patient to do all that miniature work. I’m glad he is getting some recognition.

    Comment by Candace — February 21, 2010 @ 19:56 | Reply

    • Hi Candace.

      This was a great pleasure to read that Yound these match churches interesting and that You liked them.

      Comment by sartenada — February 22, 2010 @ 07:50 | Reply

  10. Wow, wow, wow. This is a man with a true talent, a true gift from God, and a lot of time. His work is sterling. Bravo.

    -j. p.

    Comment by jpcabit — June 1, 2010 @ 16:46 | Reply

    • Hello Jpcabit.

      You are so right. Me and my wife were very surprised his talents. Anyway all of us are making things and he is doing these.

      Regards.

      Comment by sartenada — June 1, 2010 @ 17:40 | Reply

  11. Hi Matti,
    I love the churches and your photos are lovely. I’m am happy to have found your blog.
    Debra

    Comment by bagnidilucca — June 2, 2010 @ 04:12 | Reply

  12. Hi Debra.

    So nice to read that You liked these churches They are very special when thinking what they represent and how that old war veteran made them.

    Comment by sartenada — June 2, 2010 @ 06:52 | Reply

  13. er

    Comment by sorin — September 16, 2010 @ 09:41 | Reply

  14. Pretty cool site you’ve got here. Thanks the author for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read more soon.

    Bella Swenson
    escort service schweiz

    Comment by Bella Swenson — September 18, 2010 @ 20:40 | Reply

    • Hello Bella.

      Thank You for Your visit and comment. You said it so nice. I feel a little bit flattered about Your words.

      Comment by sartenada — September 24, 2010 @ 07:07 | Reply

  15. Quel patience qu’il a eu pour faire ses chefs-d’oeuvres…..trop beau.
    je te souhaite une bonne soirée
    frammy

    Comment by frammy — October 26, 2010 @ 23:46 | Reply

    • Bonjour Frammy.

      Merci beaucoup Frammy de ton visite et commentaires.

      Belle journée.

      Comment by sartenada — October 28, 2010 @ 06:20 | Reply

  16. Quel patience……qu’il à eu …….c’est pas moi qui serai capable d’en faire autant.
    belles photos.
    je vous souhaite une bonne soirée
    frammy

    Comment by frammy — December 2, 2010 @ 00:35 | Reply

  17. Bonjour Frammy.

    Je pense qu’il ya peu de gens dans notre monde qui a tant de patience pour faire ces. J’espère qu’un jour, sa collection va au Musée national de Finlande.

    Merci des comentaires.

    Belle journée.

    Comment by sartenada — December 2, 2010 @ 07:42 | Reply

  18. Absolutely amazing!

    And, yes! I can see why the church you mentioned took an entire winter. I love onion domes… and history.

    You did a fine job telling the story about the oppressed inhabitants of the lands that were taken over by the Russians. How sad for the people… those who had to endure so much to survive… and for your country to have lost its houses of worship.

    But, yes, indeed. Resilience and faith among believers is stronger than any oppressor. Thank God for the human spirit.

    The builder of those match churches has done everyone a huge favor of preserving memories in a most unusual manner.

    Comment by Deli Lanoux, Ed.D. — September 28, 2011 @ 15:15 | Reply

    • Hello Deli.

      I am so glad that this post of mine pleased You. These are unique in the whole world and I am so happy that I had possibility to document them and to present them in my blog. This post is one of the most visited I have made until now.

      Happy Wednesday!

      Comment by sartenada — September 28, 2011 @ 16:09 | Reply

  19. Wow, these are absolutely amazing. The time and work that has gone into these replicas. Fantastic!!! 🙂

    Comment by Through My Eyes — September 21, 2013 @ 15:37 | Reply

    • Hi Norma.

      Thank You. I am really glad that You love and appreciate these. This post is of the most visited / seached among my post. After You have read those links I gave to You, I have little bit of more, because I forgot something. I have also something special things by the churches which do not exist in other countries.

      Personally I am interested what You like female wood artist’s church which she built (among wooden churches). It might be one of the most special churches in the world.

      Happy Sunday!

      Comment by Sartenada — September 22, 2013 @ 07:57 | Reply

  20. they are effortful works of art and wonderful。 

    Comment by aquacompass7 — January 30, 2014 @ 04:15 | Reply

    • Hello Aquacompass7.

      Thank You liking my photos and the topic. This post is one of most searched post among all of posts I have made.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Comment by Sartenada — January 30, 2014 @ 08:25 | Reply

  21. Really amazing,especially , for me, those onion domes!
    And thank you for all your photos !

    Comment by 76sanfermo — January 30, 2014 @ 06:43 | Reply

    • Hi Anna.

      So nice that You appreciate our war veterans “hobby”. I agree with You that onion domes are difficult to make.

      Ti auguro una buona giornata.

      Comment by Sartenada — January 30, 2014 @ 08:29 | Reply

  22. Amazing work. Pleased to find your photos.
    Dennis – New Zealand

    Comment by Dennis handley — June 7, 2014 @ 00:59 | Reply

    • Hi Dennis.

      Thank You commenting. Very nice that You found my blog and this post. It is one of my favorite post which pays homage to WW II veterans. It also tribute old Finnish churches which we lost. Sigh. If You are interested to see how these areas are looking like today, it is possible in my blog. Here:

      Return to the roots.

      Have a great weekend.

      Comment by Sartenada — June 7, 2014 @ 11:04 | Reply

  23. These are stunning, I love the one with the dome and the ones with the Russian domes.

    Comment by Tokeloshe — October 20, 2014 @ 21:10 | Reply

    • Hello Linda.

      The old war veteran has made great job. My hat off! Thank You for Your praising comment.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Comment by Sartenada — October 21, 2014 @ 07:33 | Reply

  24. It is amazing!

    Comment by inesephoto — January 5, 2015 @ 19:19 | Reply

    • Good Morning Inesephoto.

      Thank You. A lot of work ang passion.

      Have a great day!

      Comment by Sartenada — January 6, 2015 @ 08:35 | Reply

  25. Thanks again for this share!

    Comment by 76sanfermo — January 6, 2015 @ 11:09 | Reply

    • Chiao Anna.

      Thank you again visiting and commenting this post which is one of my favorite.

      Happy Sunday!

      Comment by Sartenada — January 6, 2015 @ 12:57 | Reply

  26. hola señor, que trabajo tan interesante, le envío una felicitación desde México

    Comment by ernesto mandujano — January 14, 2015 @ 01:21 | Reply

    • Hola Ernesto.

      Tus palabras tan amables me calientan mi corazón. Muchas gracias.

      Que tengas un buen día!

      Comment by Sartenada — January 14, 2015 @ 08:07 | Reply

  27. Wonderful to see church models made out of this material! I hugely admire the skills of this artist! He did a lot of great models and I particularly admire those with curved forms and lots of architectural details. In general it needs craftsmanship to work with such small wooden sticks and to get such beautiful results – but if you want to create not only a random small building but a model which is true to the original it’s even more difficult.
    I enjoyed your post and all the pictures very much! Thank you for showing!

    Best regards – Michèle

    Comment by ladyfromhamburg — August 4, 2016 @ 14:43 | Reply

    • Guten morgen Michèle.

      I am glad that You loved this “quite unique” post. Thank You.

      Have a nice day. Matti.

      Comment by Sartenada — August 5, 2016 @ 07:24 | Reply

  28. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention!! I so enjoyed seeing these wonderful churches

    Comment by Deb — January 5, 2017 @ 15:05 | Reply

    • Hello Deb.

      You are welcome. I am glad that You appreciated this post.

      Happy weekend.

      Comment by Sartenada — January 6, 2017 @ 09:39 | Reply

  29. Matti,
    How he made those onion domes look so smooth and symmetrical. It’s clearly far more work that any of us could start to imagine. I think if we sat down and tried to replicate even a tiny bit of this that looked “simple” we would quickly find that there is nothing simple about it…. AND that achieving any result at all world take ten times as long as we thought.
    Excellent photography of stunning, original and beautiful Church works of art.

    Comment by kiwidutch — July 12, 2017 @ 02:38 | Reply

    • Hi Kiwidutch.

      Some people has magical touch in their hands. This is one of my loved post by me and it shows that the old ones can do things! Thank You.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Comment by Sartenada — July 13, 2017 @ 07:09 | Reply


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