Trinity Lavra of St Sergius

Where it is & how to get there

• Train: Lastochka and suburban trains from Moscow Yaroslavsky station take about 1 to 1.5 hours.
• From the station: 10-minute walk to the monastery gates.
• Dress code: Women cover their hair and wear skirts; men remove hats inside churches.

The story of the Lavra

St Sergius of Radonezh founded a small wooden monastery here around 1337. It grew into the spiritual heart of Russia, survived a long Polish siege in the 1600s, and became a lavra, the highest rank of monastery.

Inside the white walls are the Trinity Cathedral, where the famous Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev was first kept, and the Assumption Cathedral with its blue domes covered in golden stars. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 and is still a working monastery.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Dress modestly; women cover their hair.
• Walk up the hill opposite the gates for the classic view.
• Visit the monastery museums for icons and treasures.
• Try the monastery bakery near the entrance.

What's around the Lavra

• Assumption CathedralBlue domes with golden stars.
• Trinity CathedralShrine of St Sergius.
• Bell towerTall baroque bell tower.
• Toy MuseumSergiev Posad is the home of the matryoshka doll.

Questions travellers ask