Photoreport by Constantin Chalabov, RIANovosti
![The Solovetskiye Islands in the White Sea in the north of Russia are an archipelago of six large islands in the mouth of Onega Bay. A restricted national park area is located on Greater Solovetsky Island](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183039847.jpg)
The Solovetskiye Islands in the White Sea in the north of Russia are an archipelago of six large islands in the mouth of Onega Bay. A restricted national park area is located on Greater Solovetsky Island
![In the early 18th century, the Golgotha-Raspyatsky (Calvary-Crucifixion) priory was established on Anzer Island. In 1923, the monastery was closed, and the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp (SLON) – the largest Soviet prison camp of the 1920s – opened on the islands](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1830396371.jpg)
In the early 18th century, the Golgotha-Raspyatsky (Calvary-Crucifixion) priory was established on Anzer Island. In 1923, the monastery was closed, and the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp (SLON) – the largest Soviet prison camp of the 1920s – opened on the islands
![In 1967, all the buildings of the priory became the property of the Solovetsky Museum and Reserve. On July 3, 1994, a cross was erected at the foot of the Golgotha (Calvary) Hill in memory of all martyred Orthodox Christian hierarchs.](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183039693.jpg)
In 1967, all the buildings of the priory became the property of the Solovetsky Museum and Reserve. On July 3, 1994, a cross was erected at the foot of the Golgotha (Calvary) Hill in memory of all martyred Orthodox Christian hierarchs.
![The Solovetsky archipelago is also home to the Solovetsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky (Transfiguration of Our Savior) Monastery.](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183039738.jpg)
The Solovetsky archipelago is also home to the Solovetsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky (Transfiguration of Our Savior) Monastery.
![Today, the Solovetsky archipelago accommodates the Solovetskiye Islands educational center, which comprises a summer university, a summer cultural-environmental school, a summer handicrafts school and a volunteer center.](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183039597.jpg)
Today, the Solovetsky archipelago accommodates the Solovetskiye Islands educational center, which comprises a summer university, a summer cultural-environmental school, a summer handicrafts school and a volunteer center.
![The chapels on Greater Solovetsky Island are located outside the fortress walls of the Solovetsky Monastery. The Konstantin Chapel, pictured, was built in 1844 to commemorate a visit to the monastery by Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich, the son of Czar Nicholas I.](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183039462.jpg)
The chapels on Greater Solovetsky Island are located outside the fortress walls of the Solovetsky Monastery. The Konstantin Chapel, pictured, was built in 1844 to commemorate a visit to the monastery by Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich, the son of Czar Nicholas I.
![In 1992, the complex of historical landmarks of the Solovetsky Museum-Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183039896.jpg)
In 1992, the complex of historical landmarks of the Solovetsky Museum-Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
![The architectural ensemble of the Solovetsky Monastery is located on the shore of Blagopoluchiya (Prosperity) Bay on Greater Solovetsky Island.](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183039791.jpg)
The architectural ensemble of the Solovetsky Monastery is located on the shore of Blagopoluchiya (Prosperity) Bay on Greater Solovetsky Island.
![The pentagonal monastery compound is surrounded by massive walls standing 8-11 meters high and 4-6 meters thick with seven gates and eight towers, built in 1584-1594 by an architect named Trifon. The 1,085-meter-long walls are made of huge stones up to five meters in diameter.](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183039513.jpg)
The pentagonal monastery compound is surrounded by massive walls standing 8-11 meters high and 4-6 meters thick with seven gates and eight towers, built in 1584-1594 by an architect named Trifon. The 1,085-meter-long walls are made of huge stones up to five meters in diameter.
![Pilgrims wishing to visit the Solovetskiye Islands are advised to go there during the June 1 – September 30 navigation season, when the monastery can be reached by motorboat.](https://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/183416733.jpg)
Pilgrims wishing to visit the Solovetskiye Islands are advised to go there during the June 1 – September 30 navigation season, when the monastery can be reached by motorboat.
Source: RIA Novosti