Sergiev Posad grew up in the 15th century around one of the greatest of Russian monasteries, the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra (Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius) established by St. Sergius of Radonezh. The town became incorporated in 1742. As the town's name, alluding to St. Sergius, had strong religious connotations, the Soviet authorities changed first to just Sergiyev in 1919, and then to Zagorsk in 1930, in memory of the revolutionary Vladimir Zagorsky. The original name came back into official use in 1991.
Trinity Lavra of St.Sergius - aeroview
Sergiev Posad is included in Golden Ring of Russia, a ring of cities northeast of Moscow. These ancient towns, which also played a significant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church, preserve the memory of the most important and significant events in Russian history. The towns have been called "open air museums" and feature unique monuments of Russian architecture of the 12-18th centuries, including kremlins, monasteries, cathedrals and churches.
Trinity Lavra of St.Sergius
The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church.The monastery was founded in 1345 by one of the most venerated Russian saints, Sergius of Radonezh, who built a wooden church at the Makovets Hill. The first stone church was built in 1422. The relics of St. Sergius still may be seen in this cathedral, dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The best-known cathedral in the monastery is the blue-domed Assumption Cathedral (1559-1585), towering over the white stone walls of the monastery.
Trinity Cathedral (1422-1423)
Today the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra is a prime centre of religious education. Important restoration works were conducted in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1993, the Trinity Lavra was inscribed on the UN World Heritage List.
Assumption Cathedral (1559-1585)
The official site of the Holy Trinity-St.Sergius Lavra
Last modified: Thu Jan 29 21:00:27 MSD 2008