Kirillov
Kirillov is an ancient town that grew up around the majestic Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, one of the largest and most important monasteries in Russia. Founded in 1397, it became not only a spiritual but also a strategic center of the Russian North. Russian tsars were sheltered within its walls, and among the icon painters and craftsmen who worked here were pupils of Dionisy and Rublev.
The city is also known for its picturesque lakes and unique open-air museums, which are part of the Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve. Tourists are attracted by the atmosphere of an ancient Russian fortress, the opportunity to see unique frescoes and ancient relics, as well as enjoy the untouched nature of the Vologda region.
Vologda
by car: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Cherepovets
by car: 1 hour and 20 minutes
During the Middle Ages, several Orthodox monasteries were established, and the region was later referred to as the Northern Thebaid. In 1776, Kirillov was designated as a county town from the monastic settlement and retained the name of Moscow monk Cyril, the founder of the renowned Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery (1397), in its title.
A wooden chapel linked to the name of Cyril serves as a reminder of the early days of the monastery. Tsar Ivan the Terrible held a particular fondness for the Kirillo Monastery, believing he owed his birth to it. He visited the monastery on three occasions and made significant contributions to it.
