Sergiev Posad is a Russian town located about 70 km from Moscow. Founded in the 14th century by Saint Sergius of Radonezh, the town has many historical sites to see and visit.
Sergiev Posad Attractions
The most important sight of Sergiev Posad is the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other attractions include the Sergiev Posad State Museum of History and Art and the Museum of Toys.
The Trinity Cathedral (1422-1423)
This beautiful church is the heart of the Trinity Monastery and, to some extent, the heart of Russian Orthodoxy. A memorial service for St. Sergius (whose tomb is located in the southeast corner) takes place daily, lit only by oil lamps. The great medieval painter Andrey Rublyov and his disciples created most of the icons here, including Rublyov's original masterpiece icon of the Old Testament Trinity.
The Cathedral of the Assumption (1558-1585)
This cathedral, with its star-spangled domes, was designed in accordance with the Assumption Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin. It was completed in 1585. Services are held here in summer. Outside the western door lies the grave of Boris Godunov, the only tsar buried neither in the Moscow Kremlin nor in the Church of St. Peter and Paul in St. Petersburg. Nearby, the resplendent Chapel-at-the-Well (Nadkladeznaya Chasovnya) was also built.
The Refectory Church of St. Sergius
This large building, with its "wallpaper" paint job and lavish interior, was once a dining hall for pilgrims. Today, it serves as the winter counterpart to the Assumption Cathedral, with morning services held during cold weather.
The Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
This small 15th-century church (Dukhovskaya Tserkov), with a bell tower under its dome, is a graceful imitation of the Trinity Cathedral. It is used only on special occasions. Innocent of Alaska, the first Orthodox bishop and archbishop in the Americas, is buried here.
Treasury of Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius
Located along the western wall of the monastery, just behind the Trinity Cathedral, the Treasury houses a collection of unique items accumulated over centuries. Many items were presented by Russian Tsars, including Ivan IV the Terrible. The collection includes icons, religious utensils, and church art from the 14th to 19th centuries. Visitors can see golden and silver chalices, communion cups, panagias (small icons worn on the chest), church robes, crosses, ancient Bibles, and large (about 1.5 meters high) silver candle holders.
Tickets to the Treasury are sold at the ticket booth opposite the entrance. However, the Treasury is often closed because groups are inside on sightseeing tours. Therefore, it is recommended to book a guided tour in advance.
Chernigovsky skete
Founded in 1844, this peaceful and picturesque skete is located about 3.5 km northeast of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Two notable Russian philosophers and writers, Vasily Rozanov and Konstantin Leontiev, are buried in the necropolis of Chernigovsky Skete.
