Private-Serguiev Posad, Zagorks- 60 km

Visit the ‘Vatican’ of Russia on a trip to the striking monastic enclave of Sergiev Posad known as the Trinity Lavra of St Sergius.

Located approximately 70km from Moscow the Monastery of St. Sergius and the Holy Trinity offers the visitor an incredible array of monastic buildings dating from between the 14th and the 18th centuries. It is one of the country’s most important religious and historical sites as well as being visually incredibly impressive. Since ancient times to the present day the Monastery has been the religious centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. The word ‘Lavra’ refers to the rank of monasteries and is the highest around. There are only four in all of Russia! Now it is the Residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church and a great centre of religious training, home to a Seminary and Academy, as well as singing schools and iconography schools.

The architectural complex consists of various ecclesiastical and civil buildings from different centuries. Each monastic building marks a pattern of Russian history. The original monastery was built of wood and was founded in 1340. Alas that burnt down but the oldest building now standing is the Trinity Cathedral which dates back to 1422. The whitewashed church with golden domes is particularly famous for the works of art in its interior by Andrei Rublev. Spot the famous blue domes with gold stars of the 16th century Cathedral of the Assumption. Admire the beautiful brightly coloured facade of the 17th century Refectory Church of St Sergius and gaze in awe at the ornate Tsar Palace.