Verkhoturye - Spiritual Center of the Urals (from Perm)

Verkhotourye - Spiritual center of the Urals (+s. Merkushino, Aktai skit)

Verkhoturye is rightly called the patriarch of the Ural cities. It appeared at the end of the XVI century as a stronghold of Russian colonization of the Trans-Urals and Siberia and it was then that it acquired a significant state status and became known as the "Gate of Sibir". The uniqueness of the fate of this city is that from the transit and transport hub of Verkhoturye over time turned into the most important cultural and religious center of the Russian state, which is still today. And it happened thanks to the righteous Saint Simeon of Verkhotursky, where we invite you to follow.

Among the architectural ensembles of the ancient city, you will certainly be conquered by the magnificent Verkhotur Kremlin – the only one on the Ural land. The most remarkable building on its territory, undoubtedly, is the Holy Trinity Cathedral, recognized by experts as the best work of the "Moscow Baroque" in the Urals and by the decision of UNESCO included among the most outstanding architectural monuments in the world.

Yet no one remained indifferent at the sight of the grandiose Holy Cross Cathedral – the third largest church in Russia, which is barely inferior to St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. And it is located on the territory of St. Nicholas Monastery (1604), whose estate is comparable in area to half the territory of the Moscow Kremlin.
In addition, you will visit the oldest female monastery in the Trans-Urals - the Pokrovsky Women's Monastery (founded in 1621), where the relics of one of the revered Ural saints - the fool Kosma Verkhotursky are located.

Then the excursion route runs through the village of Merkushino. It is located 60 km from Verkhoturye on the left bank of the Tura River, in a picturesque area surrounded by a beautiful coniferous forest. At the end of the XVII century, Merkushino was an important center of shipbuilding in Russia, where about 100 different ships were produced annually. It was here in 1692 that the incorruptible relics of St. Simeon of Verkhotursky were found, which are now in the Holy Cross Church of St. Nicholas Monastery. In the land of the righteous saint you will see an architectural complex of two temples connected by a gallery - the temple of Simeon of Verkhotursky and the temple of Archangel Michael. There, if you wish, you can drink water from the spring, which, according to legend, originated in the very place where the incorruptible relics of righteous Simeon were found.

During the tour you will get in touch with the rich 400-year history of Verkhoturye, visit the place of exile of disgraced brides of Russian tsars, see with your own eyes the oldest stone building in the Middle Urals. All this and much more awaits you during your visit to the unique spiritual center of the Urals and Siberia - Verkhoturye.

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