Transfiguration of the Lord Church at Optina Monastery
On August 14, 2005, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II visited Optina Monastery and conducted the consecration and laying of the cornerstone for a new church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Before the monastery…
Museum of the History of the Gulag
Political terror conducted by the Bolsheviks affected all layers of society in former Russia. Accusations of counter-revolutionary activities, organizing terrorist acts, espionage, and sabotage were made against both mem…
Church in Honor of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
A description of the church's foundation has been preserved: On August 16, 1821, after the early Divine Liturgy, the abbot Daniel arrived at the site of the foundation, made three prostrations to the east, and said: "May…
Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God 'Bread Giver' in Optina Pustyn
The icon 'Bread Giver' was created in the women's Shamordino Monastery, founded by St. Ambrose of Optina in the Kaluga region. The icon depicts the Mother of God sitting on clouds with outstretched arms for blessing. Bel…
Temple of St. Mary of Egypt in Optina Monastery
The building was completed in 1824 under the abbot Daniel. The lower floor housed the brotherhood's refectory, which was adorned with icon paintings in 1827.
In the 1850s, the refectory was moved to a new building, and …
Assumption Kolotsky Women's Monastery
The ancient Assumption Kolotsky Monastery is located near Mozhaysk and Borodino. Its foundation dates back to ancient times, with the first mention recorded in 1413, as noted in the "Steppe Book." Chronicles also tell of…
The Königsberg Castle
765 years ago, on September 1, 1255, the fortress of Königsberg was founded.
On this day, German knights of the Teutonic Order and King of Bohemia Přemysl Otakar laid the foundation of the fortress of Königsberg at the …
Swallow's Nest
The picturesque Gothic castle Swallow's Nest rises above the sea on the top of the Aurora cliff in the village of Gaspra. This cliff on Cape Ai-Todor is located near the Charaсs Palace. The history of the castle began in…
Livadia Palace
In 1860, the Romanovs acquired this land for Empress Maria Alexandrovna, who suffered from lung disease. Doctors recommended she spend more time outdoors, inhaling sea and pine aromas.
The palace was built in a record 1…
Vorontsov Palace (Alupka)
The Vorontsov Palace in Yalta, owned by Count Vorontsov, the governor-general of the Novorossiysk region, was conceived as his summer residence. Initially, the castle was built in the English style, but later the project…
