Sviyazhsk Island-City - Raifa Monastery - Temple of All Religions

Sviyazhsk (built under Ivan the Terrible as a fortress, later became a spiritual and missionary center) is an outstanding landscape monument celebrated by Pushkin: «… in the world there is such a miracle: An island lies on the sea, A city stands on the island. With golden-domed churches, with towers and gardens…» You will visit: - The Mother of God and the Assumption Men's Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with ancient temples of the 16th century: - St. Nicholas Church (1555–1556, built by the Pskov artel led by Ivan Shirya); - Assumption Cathedral (1560) with unique frescoes of the era of Ivan the Terrible (including a lifetime fresco of the tsar and a fresco of St. Christopher with a horse's head). You will also visit the territory of the John the Baptist Monastery, where are located: - Trinity Church (the same age as Sviyazhsk, 1551); - St. Sergius Church of the era of Boris Godunov; - Cathedral of Our Lady of 'Joy to All Who Sorrow' (Russian-Byzantine style, similar to the Kronstadt Cathedral). There will be time for walks around the island: views of the Sviyaga River, photos, souvenirs (including in 'Lazy Torzhok' and at the Horse Court), gastronomic souvenirs — Sviyazhsk bread and fish. On the way to Raifa — external view of the Temple of All Religions (begun in 1992 by Ildar Khanov): a minaret, a synagogue, a pagoda, an Orthodox church and temples of more than 10 religions. Raifa Mother of God Men's Monastery (30 km from Kazan) — a famous pilgrimage site by the lake in the Volga-Kama Nature Reserve. You will see: - Georgian Cathedral with the Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God 'Georgian'; - Church in honor of the Holy Fathers in Sinai and Raifa the Beaten (external view); - Trinity Cathedral; - Sophia Church (the smallest in the Kazan diocese, accommodates 7 people, external view). On the territory — a holy spring, a sundial in the shape of a cross. You can take a walk by the lake (legend of the silent frogs) or take a boat ride — a view of the monastery will open.