Sergiyev Posad Things to Do

Near the north-western corner of the Assumption Cathedral there is a small structure with a hip roof. It is the burial-vault of Tsar Boris Godunov, his wife Maria, son Feodor and daughter Xenia.

You may watch my high resolution photo of the Godunov’s Tomb on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates or 56º 18' 37.43" N 38º 7' 49.29" E on my Google Earth Panoramio Godunov’s Tomb .

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The Chapel-over-the Well was built at the end of the 17th century over the spring, which shot up during the repair of the porch of the Dormition Cathedral in 1644. Many pilgrims were cured by this water, and people took it to the sick to heal them. The first was a blind monk whose eyesight returned due to this miracle-working water. Till this day thousands of pilgrims use this water for cure and consolation in their troubles.
The colorful tent-like canopy over the cross-shaped fountain, which receives water from the spring, was built in 1872.

You may watch my high resolution photo of the Sacred Fountain on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 56º 18' 36.91" N 38º 7' 48.40" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Sacred Fountain .

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The Assembly Chambers with the church of St. Zosima and St. Sabbatius of the Solovets monastery, were constructed in 1635–1638 by the cellarer of the monastery Alexander Bulatnikov, who had come to the Lavra from the Solovets Monastery. Before 1917 the building was used as a hospital for sick monks and as an almshouse for old and disabled ones.

You may watch my high resolution photo of the Predtechensky (Assembly) chambers on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 56º 18' 39.61" N 38º 7' 45.78" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio .
You may watch my high resolution photo of the Hospital chambers on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 56º 18' 33.57" N 38º 7' 46.20" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Hospital chambers .

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The Smolenskaya Church has no columns inside and all its inner space is open up to the dome. The murals were painted in the 19th century. At present the miracle-working icon ‘Our Lady of Smolensk’ is at the local museum.

A plaster copy of it bigger in size is in the altar recess outside the church. The grave of Nicholas, Metropolitan of Petersburg an outstanding hierarch is in the crypt of the church.

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The Metropolitan’s Chambers were built in the second half of the 18 th century on the site of the former cells of the superior. Nowadays the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia stays here during his visits to the Lavra.

You may watch my high resolution photo of the Metropolitan’s chambers on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 56º 18' 34.10" N 38º 7' 48.56" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Metropolitan’s chambers .

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The Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist above the gateway, dedicated to the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, was built in 1693–1699. At present, confessions for the pilgrims are performed in it every morning.

The Church was constructed with funds of "distinguished people" Stroganovs. The lower part is cut by a gate arch. On both sides of the arch are staircases leading to the upper part with the cube of the Church surrounded by a gallery.

You may watch my high resolution photo of the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 56º 18' 36.63" N 38º 7' 53.81" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist .

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The Bell Tower was erected in 1740–1770. It was designed by the architects Shumakher and Ukhtomsky, and it’s one of the tallest in Russia. It replaced the bell tower of the 17th century. Its 5 tiers together with the cross are 88 m tall.

The Bell Tower is built of brick and plastered, the details - cartouches, columns - are of white stone. Its heaviest bell weighed 65 tons. The choice of the bells by their tone and sound was considered to be superb. Before the revolution there were 42 bells. The clock with chimes was installed in 1905.

You may watch my high resolution photo of the Bell Tower on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 56º 18' 38.73" N 38º 7' 46.78" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Bell Tower .

The Tsar Chambers were built in late 17th century. By its outside appearance the edifice matches the Refectory Church. It was used by pilgrims from the Royal family. In the 18th century the vaults of the Chambers were decorated with fine stucco and carvings.

The Theological Academy was transferred from Moscow to the Lavra, and a new complex of buildings for the needs of the Schools appeared. At present the Tsar’s Chambers belong to the Academy.

The Church Archaeological Museum and the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin are situated in the Tsar’s Chambers. The wall paintings were created in 1987–1988 by the iconographers of the local Icon Painting School.

You may watch my high resolution photo of the Tsar Chambers on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 56º 18' 39.97" N 38º 7' 46.16" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Tsar Chambers .