Russian Chapel on the Vršič Pass

The Russian Chapel on the Vršič Pass (Slovene: Ruska kapelica na Vršiču) is a Russian Orthodox chapel located on the Russian Road on the northern side of the Vršič Pass in northwestern Slovenia. The chapel, dedicated to Saint Vladimir, was built by Russian prisoners of war engaged in forced labour in the area during World War I. It serves as a war memorial and a symbolic link between Slovenia and Russia.

Recommended

History & Architecture

Distance

2,4 km / 3,8 km walking
4,6 km with car or bike

Need to Know

No entrance fee
Always open

History

In early 1915, the small town of Kranjska Gora suddenly became strategically important because of its proximity to the Isonzo Front. To improve access from the town to the front, the Austro-Hungarian authorities ordered the construction of a military road across the Vršič Pass, a 1,611-metre mountain pass between the Sava and Soča valleys. The road was built by Russian prisoners of war.

Construction began in May 1915 and was completed by the end of the same year. To ensure a constant supply of materiel to the front lines, the pass had to remain open throughout the winter, and the prisoners were forced to clear heavy snow from the road. On either 8 or 12 March 1916, depending on the source, a massive avalanche buried a prisoner-of-war camp and killed around 110 Russian prisoners and about seven guards. In total, more than 380 people are believed to have died during the road’s construction. The exact number of victims was never fully established, either for those killed by the avalanche or for those who died from exhaustion, harsh labour, and extremely poor living conditions.

The Russian camp stood roughly halfway up the slope of Vršič. Until November 1916, the surviving prisoners built a small wooden memorial chapel. The chapel follows a typical Russian design, with two small towers on either side of the nave. It is surrounded by graves and a pyramid-shaped memorial monument to the right of the chapel, bearing the Cyrillic inscription: “To the sons of Russia”.

The site was renovated in 2005 at a cost of €90,000 and again in 2010 after the theft of its copper roof plates. In June 2006, the road on the Kranjska Gora side, from the Erika Hotel to the top of the pass, was officially renamed Russian Road (Ruska cesta).

Russian Chapel on the Vršič Pass

Russian Chapel on the Vršič Pass

 

To walk from Erjavčeva mountain hut (Erjavčeva koča) to the Russian Chapel (Ruska kapelica), follow the road or marked paths descending towards the Kranjska Gora side of the Vršič Pass.

 

Start at Erjavčeva koča: Begin at Erjavčeva mountain hut, located on the Vršič Pass. Before setting out, make sure you have suitable footwear, water, and extra clothing, especially if weather conditions are uncertain.

 

Check conditions before you go: Mountain weather can change quickly, even on short and easy walks. It is always a good idea to check the forecast and current road or trail conditions before leaving.

 

Follow the marked route: The Russian Chapel is one of the best-known landmarks on the pass and is easy to reach from Erjavčeva koča. Follow the road or marked walking route towards the chapel and stay aware of traffic if walking along the road.

 

Enjoy the landscape: The route offers beautiful views of the Julian Alps, alpine forests, and the mountain pass surroundings. It is a short but scenic walk, suitable for most visitors.

 

Visit the Russian Chapel: The chapel is a historic memorial connected to the Russian prisoners of war who built the Vršič road during the First World War. It is one of the most important cultural and historical landmarks in the area.

 

Return to Erjavčeva koča: After your visit, return the same way to the hut or continue exploring nearby points of interest on the Vršič Pass.

 

Please respect the natural and cultural heritage of the area. Stay on marked paths where possible, take your litter with you, and help preserve the peaceful character of this memorial site.

Gallery

Russian soldiers who have built a road to Vršič in the front of the Russian Chapel

Directions

Weather

Weather in the High Mountains: Why a Rain Forecast Does Not Mean You Should Cancel Your Visit to Vršič

30
May

A new bus route Kranjska Gora – Vršič Pass – Soča River Valley – Bovec will start operating on 1 June 2026

28
May

Slovenia – Julian Alps – Kranjska Gora – Vršič Pass – Erjavčeva koča Mountain Hut

18
May

Erjavčeva mountain hut is open year-round. Reserve your stay and spend some time in the natural paradise of Triglav National Park (UNESCO), near Kranjska Gora, on the Vršič mountain pass in the heart of the park.

Reserve your stay