Gable belts in architecture of wooden churches of XVII-XVIII centuries

Employment of gable belts in the architecture of the wooden churches of Obonezhe in XVII-XVIII centuries is a local tradition. The article considers some architectural solutions realized by means of gable belts. A conversion process of the structural elements into decorative elements was identified. Some suggestions concerning the origin of the gable belts and their relation to the forms of stone churches of the XVI-XVII centuries are given. The differences in the solutions of gable belts’ structure depending on the location of the object and the time of its erection are analyzed. The area of gable belts’ distribution is associated with the Northern territories of ancient Novgorod. It was revealed that most of the objects with gable belts in their structure are located close to Novgorod. The use of other architectural forms associated with ancient Novgorod traditions is noted. If, for example, other forms pointed to fading traditions, the use of gable belts demonstrates its development. A variety of architectural solutions with gable belts employment and a long-term preservation of this architectural feature in the folk architecture are explained by peculiarities of cultural development in different ethnic environment.