Day Trip to Sergiev Posad

Just got back from the absolutely amazing day trip. Sergiev Posad is the holiest place for all Russians and you should definitely not fail to visit it, if you come to Moscow. Only 70 kilometres away from the capital it was founded in 1337 by our most revered saint – St Sergius of Radonezh. Millions of pilgrims come each year to pay homage to him, and so many cures and miracles had been attributed to his relics.

The monastery remains one of the most spiritual sites for all Russians, despite it was closed during the Bolsheviks time for a long period of time. The architecture ensemble is incredibly beautiful: especially the Uspensky Cathedral with its famous blue and golden cupolas on the snow-white walls.

The walls are decorated with gorgeous frescoes with scenes from the Bible.

I had an opportunity to take some photos inside one of the churches, which initially served as a refectory.

I was so fascinated with the ceiling decorations that had a neck pain at the end of the visit.

The altar is sumptuously decorated with gold and priceless icons:

The fragment of antique door:

The view of the Uspensky Cathedral:

The belfry:

Frescoes on the ceiling of the entrance to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius:

View of the Lavra from outside:

Amazing murals:

feeling like buying old Russian samovar?

Or maybe matreshka?

Russian Santa Claus (Ded Moroz) seems in no hurry to get home (by the way, this sleigh is from the 19th century):

Typical rustic Russian architecture:

A holy well:

That was a wonderful day!