Optina Pustyn
Kozelsk, Kaluga Oblast, Russia Christianity
A renowned Orthodox monastery near Kozelsk, famous for the spiritual tradition of the Optina elders and continuing pilgrimage.
The World’s Sacred Places
Sacred Places
Discover a curated guide to significant sacred places, pilgrimage traditions, architecture, documented history and practical visitor information across cultures and faith traditions.
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Curated Discovery
Sacred Places
Browse Sacred Places selected for Templestan’s public collection.
Valaam Monastery
Valaam Island, Sortavala, Republic of Karelia, Russia Christianity
A major Orthodox pilgrimage monastery on the Valaam archipelago in Lake Ladoga.
Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery
Diveyevo, Diveyevsky District, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia Christianity
A major women’s monastery and pilgrimage centre associated with St. Seraphim of Sarov and a powerful Marian devotional tradition.
Monastery of Our Saviour and St. Euthymius
Suzdal, Vladimir Oblast, Russia Christianity
A major UNESCO-listed monastery of Suzdal, founded in 1352 and developed into a fortified religious ensemble.
Raifa Monastery
Raifa, Zelenodolsky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia Christianity
A major pilgrimage monastery near Kazan whose principal shrine is a revered copy of the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God.
Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of Sviyazhsk
Sviyazhsk, Zelenodolsky District, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia Christianity
A UNESCO-listed monastery and cathedral on Sviyazhsk, known for exceptional Eastern Orthodox frescoes.
New Jerusalem Monastery
Istra, Moscow Oblast, Russia Christianity
A major monastery near Moscow founded by Patriarch Nikon to evoke the sacred geography of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius
Sergiyev Posad, Moscow Oblast, Russia Christianity
Russia’s most important working Orthodox monastery and one of its foremost pilgrimage centres.