St. Nilus Stolobensky

None of Russia's hundreds of resurrected monasteries has a more lovely setting than that linked with St. Nilus Stolobensky. Nilova Pustyn, which is located on a small island in Lake Seliger (Tver Region), is intriguing in all seasons. Its beauty is poetic in midsummer when the little Stolobny Island's shores are draped with reeds and water lilies.

Although several of the monastery's buildings have parts of 17th-century walls, the majority of the churches were rebuilt in the middle of the 18th century. Among the earliest is the Church of St. Nilus Stolobensky, a Baroque edifice built over the East Gate in 1751-1755. Although the dome was destroyed during the Soviet regime, parts of 19th-century wall paintings have remained.

The monastery's oldest surviving church, dedicated to St. Nilus, was built in 1699-1700 near the monastic infirmary. It was re-consecrated in 1723 as the Church of All Saints, and its customary five cupolas were reduced to one during the nineteenth century. The Church of All Saints, which was severely damaged during the Soviet period, is now being restored on the northwest corner of the monastery's main square, near the West Gate.

The West Gate itself holds another majestic Baroque tower church, dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul and erected in 1760-64. Beyond the West, Gate is a second quadrangle enclosed by a pilgrim dormitory, a hotel for tourists, and other 18th-century cloister constructions.

The massive Epiphany Cathedral and its bell tower dominate the main square. The island has had an Epiphany Church since the end of the 16th century. It was restored as the monastery grew throughout the ages. Throughout this time, the monastery enjoyed royal favor, and Tsar Alexander I paid it a visit in 1820.

Location: Lake Seliger, Russia