In the southern part of the village of Velp (near Arnhem, The Netherlands) we find a beautiful old church from the 11th century called Old John church (Oude Jan kerk).
Now it is located between new houses, situated in a small park; but long time ago it was in the middle of meadows influenced by the river Ijssel (side branch of the river Rhine).
What is so special about this small (protestant) churh?
Very striking is the beautiful old mural, in 1949 edited by Jacobs Co., with the text of the Ten Commandments. Also three large stained-glass windows, written by Johan Mekkink, ask attention. Very special is the bell in the bell tower: in 1678 poured the famous bell-founder Peter Hemony from Amsterdam this bronze bell.
The bell survived the fire melts of the German World War II, when many bronze bells were converted into cannons and bullets. Source: http://www.vriendenvandeoudejan.nl/folder.php
When you walk around the church in winter, spring, summer or in fall it is a nice atmosphere to recollect your thaughts from busy everyday life.
Most small towns in the Urals lost little by little their wholeness and originality, which in former times distinguished them from the settlements in the other regions of Russia. Formerly Kyshtym was immediately recognized as a factory town, where the labor traditions stood high esteem. The life was simple and unpretentious, but people had a gentle soul. They did not infringe on someone else’s property, but would give nobody their personal one.
Only little fragments of the former mining industrial past remained in Kyshtym. There are, of course, a few of authentic Ural houses decorated with wooden cornices and turrets on the roofs, carved decorations for windows, which are special and unique for each house.
Sure, the spirit of the old city is still alive. Mountain ash is still growing right by the houses. People are still tinkering up old cars, reviving the ancient vehicles and even turning them into “cool cars”. In Kyshtym respect to religion and to the water remains intact. Not surprising: there are many lakes around Kyshtym.
More pictures of Kyshtym: http://mv74.ru/fotoreport/news.php?item.64.1
Kyshtym is a small Ural town in Chelyabinsk region of Russia. It is historical and picturesque place. The town is surrounded by the mountains and numerous lakes and rivers. The history of Kyshtym is related to the history of the first russian metallurgical plants. Kyshtymsky works was set up in 1757 with the purpose to produce cast iron. In the middle of the town there is a large church with the capacity up to 5000 people. This is typical Russian Orthodox church with the onion domes and bell towers. People are very hospitable and friendly.
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