The Solovecky Islands

Visit one of the highest points of a Big Solovetsky island – mount Sekirnaya, from the top of which offers an unforgettable view of the Northern part of the Big Solovetsky Island and the White Sea. Get acquainted with the history and monuments of the current Holy ascension monastery, where during the Solovetsky camp there was a penal isolation center-a place of detention and punishment of prisoners. You also will visit one of the most unique lighthouse churches.

The Solovetsky monastery combined its monastic feat with its civic duty: starting from the end of the 16th century, it became the defender of the Northern borders of Russia. Many of its abbots not only performed their direct obedience, but also proved themselves to be skilful politicians and statesmen. During the reign of Abbot Iakov (1581-1597), a disciple of Saint Philip, a stone fortress was built and the Sumy prison was fortified. Abbot Anthony (1605-1614) during the time of Troubles proved to be a true patriot and a staunch fighter for the interests of Russia, “his prudence was saved the monastery of Solovetsky, and with it all Pomerania, from the Swedes.”

Solovetsky monastery was also an important economic center, its fiefdoms in the 16-18 centuries, not limited to Pomerania, extended to Onega Lake. In the fiefdoms, the monastery boiled salt, being its largest supplier of salt in the domestic market, and also extracted mica, pearls, iron ore, and caught sea animals and fish.