We visited Solovetsky Island and Monastery on a cold summer's day. This spiritual home to the Russian Orthodox Church was the greatest citadel of the church in the far north until it was turned into a Soviet prison and labour camp from 1923 to 1939, a prototype for the infamous "GULag" system of imprisonment. The monastery is surrounded by an impressive fortress style wall with 8 watch towers that date back to the 1430s. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site under some massive restoration by the Russian government.
 |
| Solovetsky Monastery |
 |
| Entrance Gate. |
 |
| Refectory |
 |
| Looking out to the entrance gate. |
 |
| Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral (1558-1566) Filled with reproduced icons. |
 |
| Pryadil'naya or Spinning Tower |