Long walls
And tall towers.
Bvp65 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Aniacra — CC BY-SA 4.0 · SlavaGR — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Olga1969 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Дмитрий Кулаков — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery is a huge fortified monastery on the shore of Lake Siverskoye in northern Russia. Long white and grey walls and tall towers with wooden roofs enclose white churches with green and black domes, gardens and ponds. It was founded in 1397 by Saint Cyril of White Lake, who first dug a cave here, then built a small wooden church and a log house for the monks. From the 15th to the 17th centuries it was one of the largest monasteries and strongest fortresses in the Russian North. A settlement grew around it and became the town of Kirillov. In its day it was also a centre of learning and books. You walk inside the walls among the churches and stone buildings, then go out to the lakeshore to see the walls and towers reflected in the water. Museums inside show icons and old treasures. It is about 650 m in a straight line from central Kirillov. The town is remote, so come by car or bus from Vologda. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia, and non-Russian bank cards may not work, so read the current advice before you plan.
And tall towers.
And reflections.
Inside the walls.
Shore of Lake Siverskoye, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast
By car or bus from Vologda.
About two hours.