Overview:

The Solovetsky Monastery is a fortified monastery located on the Solovetsky Islands in Arkhangelsk Oblast, the northernmost part of Russia. It was founded in the mid-15th century by monks Savvatiy and German to become one of the most important and powerful religious, political and cultural centres of the medieval Russia. The monastery is renowned for its impressive architecture and its role in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. During the Soviet era, it was a source of political imprisonment and labour camps, famously known as «the Gulag Archipelago». The monastery is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to tourists. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Russia
Prominent Features:

1. Central Tower: Built in the 16th century, the Central Tower is the highest building at the Solovetsky Monastery and dominates the complex. It is surrounded by thick stone walls and is visible from miles away. 2. Cathedral of Assumption: Main temple of the monastery, the Cathedral of Assumption was erected in the mid-16th century in the style of the late Moscow baroque. Its five domes represent the five wounds of Christ. 3. White Sea Chapel: Built in 1790-1793, the White Sea Chapel is one of the most striking features of the monastery complex. It is a round structure located on the opposite side of the canals from the main buildings, featuring five baroque white domes and a large cross. 4. Walls and Bell Tower: The walls of the monastery, dating from the 17th century, are six meters made of stone and are up to 11 meters high, creating a fortress-like structure. The bell tower was erected in 1799 and is 22 meters high. 5. Monument to the Solovki Prisoners: This memorial, located near the entrance of the monastery, honors the many people who were jailed in the Solovki labor camp during the Soviet era. It was designed by sculptor Boris Krichevsky in 1997. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Russia.

History:

The history of the Solovetsky Monastery dates back to the beginning of the 15th century, when St. Zosima and St. Savvaty, two monks from the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, established a hermitage on the wasteland of Solovetsky Island in the White Sea. Little is known about the activities of the early hermits and their settlement until 1429, when the first Church of the Transfiguration was built. In 1436, with the assistance of a rich benefactor, several monks led by Father Herman (Savvatiy) built the Annunciation Church on the site of the original hermitage. The existing Transfiguration Church and adjacent buildings were later reconstructed to form a monastery, and in 1476 it was officially declared a fortress and monastery complex of the Russian Orthodox Church. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, many churches, towers, and other structures were built and added to the complex, as the monks of the Solovetsky Monastery increased in influence and wealth. By 1658, the monastery walls were encompassing a large area and the complex had become a self-sufficient town with a population of about 5,000, including military personnel. In the mid-18th century, the monastery experienced severe economic decline; it declined further in the early 19th century, when the Russian authorities closed it down and confiscated most of its property. By 1869, it had been reopened and by the early 20th century it had regained some of its former wealth, becoming a major cultural and spiritual centre. Throughout the Soviet era, Solovetsky Monastery remained open to the public, although parts of the complex were destroyed and replaced with secular buildings. Today, the Solovetsky Monastery is a major tourist attraction in Russia, and its walls have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit one of the famous monuments of Russia with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Solovetsky Monastery is a fortified monastery located on the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea in northern Russia. It was founded in the mid-15th century and was used as a prison during the Soviet regime. 2. The monastery was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. 3. The monastery was the site of the first Soviet Gulag, when political dissidents were clubbed into submission in the Monastery courtyard in 1919. 4. The monastery is known for its remarkable architecture, which includes the five-tiered Transfiguration Cathedral. 5. The monastery was used as a filming location for the 1974 film “The Russia House.” 6. The Solovetsky Islands are a unique Arctic landscape, with hilly terrain, forests, and stunning views of the White Sea. 7. The Solovetsky Islands are an important nesting site for sea birds, including seagulls, ducks, and to name a few. 8. The monastery has an active role in preserving the centuries-old traditions of Russian Orthodoxy, as well as promoting its rich cultural and spiritual heritage. It also acts as a modern-day tourist hub. 9. The Solovetsky Monastery Museum offers visitors a unique insight into the history of the monastery and its role in Russian culture. 10. The Solovki State Nature Reserve, founded in 1932, is located on the islands and covers an area of over 54,000 hectares. The reserve is of particular interest to ecologists and biologists for its diversity of Arctic flora and fauna. One of the historical monuments of Russia, it tells the story of a bygone era