Sergiev Posad is a small town 75km to the northeast of Moscow. It is famous for its Trinity Monastery of St. Sergii, the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church whose significance can be compared to Vatican's. Until 1983 the monastery had been a residence of Moscow and All Russia Patriarch. After that, the monastery continued as a popular destination for pilgrims from Russia and all over the world.
Founded in 1337 by one of the most venerated Russian saints, Sergius of Radonezh, Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius now include a number of churches and cathedrals from the early medieval to the later eighteenth century. You will see antique frescoes, mosaics, golden and silver ornaments, onion shaped domes, impressive interior with gold gilded altar. The main buildings are the Trinity Cathedral (1420), the Assumption Cathedral (1585), and a bell tower Chapel-at-the-Well (1770). The "Konny Dvor" museum features an exhibition of ancient history and Russian folk art. On the square outside the monastery there is a souvenir market selling Matryoshkas, hand made traditional lacquer boxes, badges and other souvenirs, as well as icons especially ones of St Sergius of Radonezh.