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Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea

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The Solovki, or Solovetsky Islands, are an archipelago located in the White Sea, just 165 km from the Arctic Circle. Washed by the waters of the Onega Bay, the six islands of the archipelago have a total area of 347 square kilometers. Take a look at this outstanding example of a monastic settlement in the Russian North in Sputnik’s photo gallery.

Prehistoric people inhabited the Solovetsky Islands as early as the Mesolithic period, when the climate was better than today. In the 3rd millennium BC, villages, sacred sites and stone labyrinths were built on the islands.

Since the 15th century, the archipelago has been the site of fervent monastic activity. In 1967, the Solovki State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve, one of the largest nature reserves in Russia, was established here. Today, the islands are home to more than 250 historical and cultural monuments, and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankIn 1436, one of Russia's most famous and holy monasteries was founded by three monks in the Solovetsky Islands. One of the major pilgrimage destinations, the Russian Orthodox Solovetsky Monastery complex extended its commercial activities in the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming an economic and political center of the White Sea region.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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In 1436, one of Russia's most famous and holy monasteries was founded by three monks in the Solovetsky Islands. One of the major pilgrimage destinations, the Russian Orthodox Solovetsky Monastery complex extended its commercial activities in the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming an economic and political center of the White Sea region.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankThe Solovetsky Monastery also represented an important frontier fortress with a garrison and artillery. Throughout its history, the fortified monastery experienced several major changes and military sieges.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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The Solovetsky Monastery also represented an important frontier fortress with a garrison and artillery. Throughout its history, the fortified monastery experienced several major changes and military sieges.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankFrom the 16th century until the 19th, the monastery also served as a political and ecclesiastical prison. The cells were organized in the monastery towers and walls. According to various estimates, about 500-550 inmates were imprisoned in Solovetsky Monastery. The prison was officially closed in 1883.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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From the 16th century until the 19th, the monastery also served as a political and ecclesiastical prison. The cells were organized in the monastery towers and walls. According to various estimates, about 500-550 inmates were imprisoned in Solovetsky Monastery. The prison was officially closed in 1883.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankThe Solovetsky Monastery was one of the largest Christian citadels before it was converted into a Soviet prison and labor camp in 1926. It became a prototype for camps within the Soviet forced-labor camp system introduced during Joseph Stalin's rule.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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The Solovetsky Monastery was one of the largest Christian citadels before it was converted into a Soviet prison and labor camp in 1926. It became a prototype for camps within the Soviet forced-labor camp system introduced during Joseph Stalin's rule.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankThe camp was closed in 1939, on the eve of World War II. By the beginning of the war, there was a naval cadet training camp for the Soviet Northern Fleet on the territory of the monastery.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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The camp was closed in 1939, on the eve of World War II. By the beginning of the war, there was a naval cadet training camp for the Soviet Northern Fleet on the territory of the monastery.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankUnfortunately, several temples, chapels and other memorable places were demolished during Soviet times. To commemorate their past glory, the monastery established about 20 crosses on the territories of the destroyed sites.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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Unfortunately, several temples, chapels and other memorable places were demolished during Soviet times. To commemorate their past glory, the monastery established about 20 crosses on the territories of the destroyed sites.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankA small brotherhood of monks re-established activities in the monastery after the end of the communism.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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A small brotherhood of monks re-established activities in the monastery after the end of the communism.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankIn 1992, the islands were recognized by UNESCO "as an outstanding example of a monastic settlement in the inhospitable environment of northern Europe which admirably illustrates the faith, tenacity, and enterprise of later medieval religious communities."
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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In 1992, the islands were recognized by UNESCO "as an outstanding example of a monastic settlement in the inhospitable environment of northern Europe which admirably illustrates the faith, tenacity, and enterprise of later medieval religious communities."
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankThe Solovetsky Monastery is also a historical and architectural museum. It was one of the first Russian sites to have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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The Solovetsky Monastery is also a historical and architectural museum. It was one of the first Russian sites to have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankAlexander Nevsky Chapel was built in 1858 at the order of Russian Emperor Alexander II after his visit to Solovki. The white chapel on the shores ofBlagopoluchiya Bay (the Bay of Wellbeing) was named in honor of the emperor’s patron saint, Alexander Nevsky.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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Alexander Nevsky Chapel was built in 1858 at the order of Russian Emperor Alexander II after his visit to Solovki. The white chapel on the shores ofBlagopoluchiya Bay (the Bay of Wellbeing) was named in honor of the emperor’s patron saint, Alexander Nevsky.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankThe Solovetsky Monastery has recently been extensively repaired.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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The Solovetsky Monastery has recently been extensively repaired.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankDozens of sites on its territory remain under reconstruction and should be restored by 2020.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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Dozens of sites on its territory remain under reconstruction and should be restored by 2020.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankIn addition to the main Solovetsky Monastery, there are a number of detached monasteries at Solovki founded in the 16th-19th centuries.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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In addition to the main Solovetsky Monastery, there are a number of detached monasteries at Solovki founded in the 16th-19th centuries.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankA lighthouse on an island of the Solovetsky archipelago.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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A lighthouse on an island of the Solovetsky archipelago.
© Sputnik / Ilya Timin / Go to the mediabankSolovki is called "Islands of the Lakes." There are more than 600 lakes in the archipelago, which occupy 13.5% of its total area.
Solovetsky Islands: Sacred Places in the White Sea - Sputnik International
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Solovki is called "Islands of the Lakes." There are more than 600 lakes in the archipelago, which occupy 13.5% of its total area.
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