Ferapontov Monastery

The monastery was founded in 1398 by the Monk Ferapont Belozersky, a disciple of Sergiy Radonezhsky. He sought solitude and spiritual exploits, choosing for the monastery a picturesque place between two lakes.

Later the monastery became an important religious and cultural center of the Russian North, attracting princes and pilgrims.

St. Ferapontov Monastery has preserved its style of the XV-XVII centuries.

Its heart is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, built in 1490. There are also the Church of Annunciation, the Church of St. Martinian and monastic cells. The complex stands on a hill, creating a picturesque silhouette against the northern nature.

In 1502 in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin appeared a unique ensemble of frescoes made by the master Dionisy and his artel.

This is the only fully preserved work of the great icon painter, which strikes with the refinement of style, rich colors and lightness of lines. The paintings tell about the life of the Mother of God, reflecting the high level of spirituality of Old Russian art.

For centuries the Ferapontov Monastery served as a spiritual center, a place of worship and pilgrimage. Great princes stayed here, and tsars donated funds for its improvement. In the XVIII century the monastery lost its significance, but in the XIX century it received the status of a bishop's farmstead.

Today the monastery is not only a historical shrine, but also the Museum of Dionisy's frescoes, which attracts thousands of tourists. Excursions, scientific conferences and restoration works take place here. An important role is played by the preservation of the unique ensemble, which still fascinates art historians and pilgrims.

Bufet
Gostinodvorskaya str. 7, Kirillov

Perekrestok
ul. Lenina, 33, Kirillov

Senoval
ul. Gagarina, 96, Kirillov