Russians were reminded of the opportunity to get to know Solovki better when traveling to the archipelago

You can get from St. Petersburg to the Solovetsky Islands by train to Kemi, and then by boat to the archipelago. However, the crossing will not be cheap — a one-way ticket costs 2.8 thousand rubles. This was reported by the Delovoy Peterburg newspaper on June 29.

It is specified that the ship runs twice a day, and you need to book seats on it at least two months in advance. In addition, you can negotiate with private carriers: boats go to the archipelago faster, but they are more expensive.

It is better to think about housing on the islands in advance. A room, apartment, or room will not be cheap. At the same time, active construction is underway on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, and next summer tourist accommodation is likely to become an easier task.

As part of the sightseeing tour, travelers are invited to get acquainted with the monastery and the way of life of ascetic monks. They not only prayed, but also defended the monastery.

One of the key episodes in the history of the monastery is the Solovetsky Sitting of the 17th century, when the monks refused to accept the reforms of Patriarch Nikon and met the archers with cannon shots. The tsarist troops managed to take the monastery only with the help of a traitor. During the Crimean War, the monastery was shelled by British ships — the monks did not flinch, and the squadron retreated.

Little is said about the abbot of the Solovetsky Monastery, Philip (Kolychev), who led the monastery for 20 years and became Metropolitan of Moscow in 1566. He refused to bless the oprichnina, argued with Tsar Ivan IV and was killed by Malyuta Skuratov. Tourists at the monastery are shown only two objects related to it: a list of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "The Blessed", which appeared to Philip in a bakery, and a sculptural portrait of the saint made of black stone, which he put under his head instead of a pillow.

Outside the monastery, the Filippov Gardens, artificial ponds for cod breeding, created with the participation of Abbot Philip, have been preserved. The stone dams on the reservoirs, built by hand, are well preserved. The ponds can be reached from the village in an hour and a half. Rubber boots will be useful on the route, and when riding a bike, you will be ready to carry it in your hands part of the way. From the boat station, you can sail through a system of lakes connected by channels created under Philip. Renting a boat for six hours for four people costs 2.5 thousand rubles. For the same amount per person, you can rent a boat with an electric motor.

In addition, the Solovetsky Monastery was used as a prison. First in the Middle Ages, but especially actively during the Soviet period. In 1920, the first forced labor camp appeared here. In 1923, the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp (SLON) was established, and in 1937 it was turned into the Solovetsky Special Purpose Prison (STON), which was closed in 1939. Tens of thousands of people passed through these institutions, many did not live to see freedom.

The GULAG Museum tells about the repressions. The exhibition mainly contains texts and photocopies of documents. Emotions come later, when comprehending what they have seen. Sekirnaya Gora, the most tragic place of Solovki's camp past, makes a strong impression. Red crosses without inscriptions and pits of mass graves from which the bodies were removed remain in memory for a long time. The decision to visit such places is up to everyone, but it may be worth sacrificing a few hours of rest to touch this part of the story.

There are not many museums on the islands, but each one deserves attention. For example, the Jung Museum of the Northern Fleet is dedicated to the school established in 1942, which trained sailors. The history of the school is known from the book by the Soviet writer Valentin Pikul "Boys with bows", he himself was its pupil. The Solovetsky Maritime Museum, created by the Northern Shipping Association, presents copies of fishing vessels and expositions about the life of the Pomors.

There are exhibitions in the monastery itself that are not included in the main tour. One is devoted to archaeology, the other to handwritten books of the XVI–XVII centuries and the reconstruction of Old Believer church chants — you can listen to their recordings performed by church choirs.

Solovki is interesting not only for its history, but also for its nature. You can choose to walk along the coast — to the beach named "Malibu" — or go to neighboring islands such as Bolshoy Zayatsky, Bolshaya Muksalma or Anzer. The archipelago will find something to surprise you with and leave you wanting to return.

On July 15, two shrines of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) were delivered to the Stavropol St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt — the Main Icon of the Navy of St. Andrew the First-Called and the relics of the holy righteous warrior Theodore Ushakov. The relics were brought to the cathedral to celebrate Navy Day.

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