126 km west of Moscow stands Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery. It was founded in 1479 by St Joseph Volotsky, who was sanctified by the Russian Orthodox Church.
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Nikolay Korolyoff
126 km west of Moscow stands Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery. It can be reached by road via Novorizhsk or Volokolamsk highway, or by train from Riga Station to Volokolamsk, and then by bus to the monastery.
Nikolay Korolyoff
Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery was founded in 1479 by St Joseph Volotsky, who was sanctified by the Russian Orthodox Church. There is a monument to the saint by the entrance to the monastery.
Nikolay Korolyoff
The monastery is entered by way of a lime tree alley. Between the trees there are benches where visitors can stop and pause. To the right of the entrance is a tea house that serves light snacks.
Nikolay Korolyoff
The main surviving buildings inside the monastery grounds date back to the 16th-18th centuries. The first stone cathedral was built in the 15th century. Later, from 1688 to 1696, the Cathedral of the Assumption was erected in its place.
Nikolay Korolyoff
In the 17th century the St Peter and Paul Church was built above the monastery gates. Completed in 1679, it made the gates less like a fortress.
Nikolay Korolyoff
The monastery is guarded by Don Cossacks. They watch over the observance of ecclesiastical traditions inside the monastery. If a woman’s head is uncovered, a Cossack attendant politely offers her a headscarf.
Nikolay Korolyoff
Although it is a male monastery, you can see nuns here. They come here from other monasteries and convents to help with housekeeping matters.
Nikolay Korolyoff
The monastery has its own necropolis, where the monastery’s most prominent monks are buried.
Nikolay Korolyoff
The monastery clock tower, built in 1677. There are seven towers around the monastery in total, all connected by a fortified wall.
Nikolay Korolyoff
Blacksmith Tower, built in the period 1677-1688.
Nikolay Korolyoff
To provide sustenance for residents of the monastery, the monks and novitiates grow food.
Nikolay Korolyoff
The monastery has its own workshops, where the monks mend and make furniture for the monastery.
Nikolay Korolyoff
In front of the Church of the Epiphany is a refectory with pantries. It was built sometime after 1504.
Nikolay Korolyoff
A bell tower was built near the Cathedral of the Assumption in 1495. But during the retreat of Soviet troops in WW2, it was blown up. Today atop its ruins stands the Church of the Icons of the Mother of God.
