The city of Sergiev Posad is the only city in Moscow Region included in the route of the Golden Ring of Russia. It is one of the most famous historical pilgrimage sites in Russia. Every year thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world come here. The city received its name from Sergei Radonezhsky, the founder of the largest monastery in Russia - the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. On this small but fascinating journey we will get acquainted with the main sights of Sergiev Posad.
Among the most valuable relics of the monastery are the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Maximus the Greek and Anthony of Radonezh, the Tikhvin and Chernigov icons of the Mother of God.
The best place in Sergiev Posad to enjoy the fabulous view of the Trinity-Sergiev Lavra in all its solemn splendor. The site is located on a hill in the immediate vicinity of the monastery, and from this natural elevation the architectural ensemble of the monastery opens up in all its beauty. You can leave your car in the parking lot adjacent to the complex for a fee; most of the attractions we will see on foot in the monastery.
The Temple of Paraskeva Friday is located near the walls of the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. It is one of the oldest churches in the city, it was built in the second half of the XVII century on the site of another temple. It is a traditional for Russian architecture of that time "temple ship" with a refectory and bell tower. The external décor is also characteristic: the windows are decorated with casings with arrowheads, the walls are finished with zakomaraks.
The Trinity Cathedral is a small four-pillar cross-domed temple with one chapter and three low apses on a high pedestal. The walls of the cathedral are made of white stone blocks, their thickness and massiveness is emphasized by deep perspective portals and narrow slit windows. Flat, wide blades give the facades a three-part division and constructive pilasters matter. The cathedral is decorated with a wide belt of three ribbons of carved "wicker" pattern, which decorates the facades, altar apses and domes.
If you are tired and want to have lunch, I recommend going to the refectory. There are two small cafes in Lavra, where you can have a quick and inexpensive snack. There are always hot dishes, tea, coffee, juices, monastic kvass and fresh bread. You will surely enjoy the monastery buckwheat, as well as Laura Lenten baking and sweets.
The Church of St. Micah was built over the tomb of the Monk Micah, who was St. Sergius' disciple and pottery, in honor of the appearance of St. Sergius of the Mother of God with the Apostles Peter and John. The Church of St. Micah was erected in 1734 with special zeal to the Archimandrite of the Laura of Barlaam of Vysotsk. It is located in the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra at the northwest entrance to the Refectory Church. The throne of the church was consecrated in honour of the appearance of the Mother of God.
The bell tower was built in 1740-1767 during the reign of Empresses Anna Ioannovna, Elizaveta Petrovna and Catherine II. Nowadays it is one of the highest bell towers in Russia (88 meters). A visit to the Bell Tower includes climbing to the second tier, from which you can see the Lavra and its surroundings as if in the palm of your hand, as well as see and be photographed with the largest functioning bell in Russia. The bell tower is open to the public daily from 8.00 to 18.00.
The majestic five-domed Assumption Cathedral was laid at the command of Tsar John IV the Terrible in the center of the Lavra, on a place previously freed from old wooden cells. The king and his entire family were present at the laying of the church.
The Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, called Spiritual or Nativity Church, was erected in 1476-1477 by an artel of Pskov masters on the site of a temporary wooden Trinity Church. The Spiritual Church is the rarest and most interesting of the surviving chime temples, or rather, "temples under the chime". The last name reflects the location of the six-pillar bell ringer above the quadruple of the Spiritual Church. Framed, like a crown, with a belt of keel-shaped cocoons over the arches in which the bells are placed, the belfry serves as the base of the drum, which serves only as a sounding board, but does not illuminate the church, because its quadruple is separated from the belfry by a deaf vault. Here are the relics of St. Maskim the Greek and Hegumen Anthony of Rodonejsk.
Among the oldest buildings in Sergiev Posad is the museum complex "Horse Yard". Located in one of the most picturesque corners of the city, on the shore of the White Pond, it has long been ranked among the most important architectural monuments of Sergiev Posad. It was founded in 1790. The history of the horse yard is inseparable from the history of the Lavra's stable farm. Already in XVII-XVIII centuries. The Trinity Monastery contained a huge size stable farm, necessary for servicing its numerous patrimonial possessions. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
A five-meter bronze sculpture of the founder of the monastery on the holy ground is installed on Krasnogorodskaya Square near the monastery walls.
A very beautiful monument to the Saints Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom, the patrons of family, love and fidelity, is in a picturesque place accompanied by the murmuring of a waterfall.
The pond was built in XVI century. Originally it was called Upper, Horn or Nagorny. In monastery inventory of 1641 it was called Round. It was used for the needs of Lavra. It was an extremely picturesque peaceful place.
It's dinnertime. In the refectory, located right by the monastery walls, you can eat very tasty and not expensive. Paintings from the life of saints on the walls are allowed to be photographed. The refectory kitchen is a real ethnic Russian cuisine. Here you can taste real Russian cabbage soup, undone, kulebyaka, 15 kinds of different fruit and fish pies, as well as mead, kvass and knocked down local spill.