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In Russian language the word «lavra» denotes the most important religious center of a country, for example, Troitse-Sergieva Lavra in Sergiev Posad and Alexandro-Nevskaya Lavra in St. Petersburg. However, the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra is the oldest and most important center.

The monastery was founded in 1337 by a monk Sergiy called Radonezhskiy, which was one of the most venerable Russian saints (together with Seraphim Sarovskiy of Diveevo Monastery).

The monastery is 72 kilometers of Moscow, in the town of Sergiev Posad. You can get there by car on Yaroslavl Highway, or take a local train at Yaroslavl Station. It takes an hour and forty minutes to get to Sergiev Posad by rail.

The main church of the monastery (built in 1422), Trinity Cathedral, houses relics of Sergius Radonezhskiy. While alive he blessed Dmitry Donskoy to the Kulikovskaya Battle, and after death he was canonized as the «patron saint of Russian Land». The Cathedral is considered one of the main religious sanctuaries of Russia, as well as pilgrimage center.

The largest temple of Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, Assumption Cathedral, was built in the reign of Ivan the Terrible, during 1559-1585. A huge Refectory Chamber is considered to be one of the best examples of Moscow baroque. There is also a church in the cathedral.

The tallest construction of Lavra, bell tower, was erected in 1741. It height is 88 meters. You must climb it to see the entire Monastery from above. During its existence it survived several sieges thanks to strong walls with 11 towers.

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Assumption Cathedral built by Ivan the Terrible, and the Chapel over the source of Holy water in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra
Trinity-Sergius Lavra in the Moscow region - center of Russian Orthodoxy
Cathedral domes of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius
Trinity Cathedral - the main temple of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, built in 1442
Gateway Church of St. John the Baptist above the main entrance of the Troitse-Sergius Lavra
Flower bed with tulips in front of the Refectory in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra
Assumption Cathedral in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra
Main Square of the Lavra is faced by the Bell Tower, Assumption Cathedral and some other churches
Paphnutius Garden is behind this fence and beyond it - Tsar`s Chambers and the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God
Paphnutievsky Garden in the courtyard of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra
View of Trinity and Assumption Cathedrals in Trinity-Sergey Lavra
Metropolitan`s Palace. Partiarh stays there when he comes to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius
Nikon`s Сhurch added to Trinity Cathedral in Trinity-Sergey Lavra
Buildings of brethren`s cells (yellow structure on the left) and hospital wards (white)
Trinity Cathedral and Treasury Building of the brethren`s cells (monks live there)
At the entrance of the Lavra the walls are covered with scenes from the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh
You can buy souvenirs near the walls of the Trinity-Sergey Lavra
Holy Gate is the main entrance of the Lavra
The Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra
Refectory and the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh over it