On the territory of the former Russian Empire, there are hundreds of pre-revolutionary Orthodox monasteries that impress with their magnificence and the beauty of the surrounding nature. One of the most remarkable, the Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, was founded in 1407 and has endured many trials.

The history of Orthodoxy in Valaam begins with the sermons of the Apostle Andrew in the northern lands. The first mention of the monastery dates back to 1407 and is found in the life of Savvatiy of Solovki. It is known that by the early 16th century, about 600 monks lived in the monastery, which was a significant number. However, they often faced attacks from Swedish troops. The situation changed after the victory of the anti-Swedish coalition in the Great Northern War, after which a new wooden church was built in the monastery. Even a strong fire during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna did not halt the development of the monastery, and in 1789 and 1796, the first stone skete was erected, which has survived to this day.

After the annexation of Finnish lands to the Russian Empire, Alexander I visited the monastery and was pleased. Twenty years later, the well-known clergyman Damaskin became the abbot, who contributed to the spiritual development of the brotherhood. During the reign of his successor Ionafan, a large Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral was built.

After the February Revolution of 1917, the monastery found itself in the territory of independent Finland, which allowed it to avoid the fate of other Orthodox monasteries for 20 years. However, in 1939, with the onset of war between the Soviet Union and Finland, the brotherhood was forced to leave the monastery and establish a new one. In the following years, much of the heritage was lost, but in 1989, the monastery was returned to the faithful. Fortunately, the architectural ensemble has been preserved, and today the monastery amazes with its grandeur.