Khosheutovsky khurul
The oldest Buddhist temple in Europe is an architectural anomaly, built in memory of the Kalmyk regiment that fought Napoleon - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon
Khosheutovsky khurul, an ancient Buddhist temple in southwestern Russia, is widely regarded as the oldest surviving structure of its kind in Europe. The YouTube channel Kings and Things presents a video essay that delves into the temple's intricate history and distinctive architecture. Utilizing rich archival imagery, the video outlines the temple's founding as a tribute to members of a Kalmyk regiment who fought against Napoleon's army.
It then follows the temple's decline after the Russian Revolution, its eventual reopening, and its continued use today in a significantly altered state. Through this exploration, viewers are introduced to the Kalmyk people and gain a unique perspective on two centuries of Russian history.
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