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1 Day: Sergiev Posad

The Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius

Sergiev Posad is a picturesque town 75km to the northeast of Moscow. The town is famous for the 14th century Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius , one of the most important centers of the Orthodox religion and a major destination of pilgrims. Sergiev Posad is the only town of the Golden Ring located near Moscow.

Sergiev Posad Tour Highlights

Visit one of the most sacred places in Russia today, which is often referred to as the Russian Vatican. The monastery was founded in the early 14th century by one of the most venerated saints of Russia St. Sergius. For centuries, Russian czars and common people set out on a pilgrimage to the monastery. It remains one of the most sacred places in Russia today.
Admire the architecture of St Sergius Trinity Lavra. The monastery is included in the UNESCO list of World heritage. Its complex of medieval buildings might appear a rival to Moscow Kremlin. Standing in the cathedral square you can trace the history of Russian architecture from the early 15th up to the 19th century.
Visit the ancient Trinity cathedral. Built in the early 15th century it is one of the oldest churches in the Moscow Region. This cathedral boasts some works by Andrei Rublev, Russia's most famous icon master. The relics of St. Sergius in a silver shrine bring a lot of pilgrims from all over Russia.
Experience the church choir singing in the Trinity cathedral and feel the peacefulness and beauty of the place.
Visit the local craft market and get some unique local gifts
Savor traditional Russian cuisine at one of the local restaurants. You may also try Russian kvass and tasty local pastries at the monastery’s bakery.

Segied Posad trip itinerary

10 am Meet your guide and driver in the morning*. The journey to Sergiev Posad usually lasts about 1,5 hours. You’ll see nice local villages on your way and enjoy the landscape of the Moscow countryside.

Upon arrival, you’ll have a stop on top of the hill to look at this fairy-tale-like looking monastery from above.

12 pm Join the tour of the monastery of St Sergius. During the tour, you'll see the most fascinating buildings of the monastery. The Trinity Cathedral built in the 15th century is the most sacred place of the monastery. The Assumption Cathedral commissioned by Ivan the Terrible is in the center of the complex. Its blue domes with golden stars are seen from afar. The elegant baroque bell tower was built in the 18th century. Today it houses the biggest working bell in Russia. The Chapel Over the Well standing nearby was built over a spring discovered in 1644. Pilgrims come here with empty bottles to fill with holy water.

1.30 pm Free time for lunch

2.30 pm – 3.30 pm Time to visit a local craft market to get memorable local toys. Sergiev Posad is the birthplace of matryoshka, known in the west as the Russian doll. Here you can find some beautiful local toys which usually cost less compared to Moscow gift shops.

3.30 – 5 pm Time to get back to Moscow

*The monastery is open from 8 am to 6 pm. You may discuss with the manager the most convenient time to start your tour.

Sergiev Posad trip by train.

As an alternative you may go to Sergiev Posad by train. A convenient express train leaves Moscow at 9.20 am and arrives at the Segied Posad station at 10.24 am.

Your guide will meet you earlier at your hotel and accompany you to the train station by metro.
Upon arrival to Sergiev Posad, you’ll walk around 20 min to reach the monastery. The hill offering panoramic view on the monastery will be right on your way.

After lunch and shopping at the market, you and your guide will walk back to the train station. You may find numerous commuter trains to get back but the journey will last about 1,5 hours

Sergiev Posad trip notes

While planning your trip it’s useful to keep in mind that in summer time traffic is usually very intense on Saturday morning on the way out of Moscow and on Sunday evening on the way to the city.
Beware of a dress code. It is polite for women to put on a scarf when entering a church. It is not compulsory but more respectful for a tourist woman. However, all men must always take off their hats before they enter a church. It’s also preferable to avoid wearing shorts for both men and women this day.
You may get a photo permit if you wish to take pictures during the tour of the monastery. However, you should not take selfies or any portrait pictures inside a church. It is considered impolite.
The monastery is overcrowded during major Orthodox holidays: Christmas (January 7) and Easter.

More things to do in Sergiev Posad. Options to add

Visit Sergiyevskaya Kukhmisterskaya which is an old-style kitchenette.

During the interactive tour, you will see a small show, where you can try to cook and eat some very unusual dishes from the old times. At the end of the tour, you’ll make and taste old-style candies.
After the museum tour, you may have lunch in the restaurant where meals from old-style recipe books are being cooked.

Sergiyevskaya Kukhmisterskaya

Join a matryoshka-painting master-class

If you travel with kids you are welcome to join a matryoshka-painting master class. An experienced artist will help you to create your own unique nesting doll. The master class lasts about 1 hour

matryoshka-painting master-class

Visit a charming Peasant Life Museum Zhili-Byli

The museum is run by an enthusiastic local artist who can tell you intriguing stories of various old things from his collection. You’ll see old toys, lamps, irons, gramophones, and many other unusual objects. The tour will help you to experience what life was like in Russia in the old times.
Viktor Yurievich is a great enthusiast and a very caring person. He encourages guests to interact with the exhibits and allows to touch many objects of his collection.

Peasant Life Museum

See the Golden Ring towns in miniature

Art-maket museum is in 3 min walk from the monastery. You’ll see the main sights of the cities of The Golden Ring of Russia in miniature such as the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Suzdal, Ristov Kremlin, and more. The layouts are highly detailed, highlighted, and animated. The Museum will be interesting for both children and adults.

Art-maket museum

We believe that Sergiev Posad is the major highlight of the Moscow region and is included in our Moscow in 3-day tour. The tour to Sergiev Posad can be also combined with Abramtsevo estate which is not so far if you travel by car.