Solovki Islands

The Solovetsky Archipelago is situated in the Onega gulf of the White Sea. It consists of six large and a several tiny islands, the total area of which comes to about 300 sq.km.

The Archipelago is usually called by diminutive form of its name, Solovki.

The Island's picturesque relief, shaped by the steep hills, low sandy banks and covered with large stones, forms unique setting for the diverse nature zones and creates an abundance of floral and animal wild life. Archipelago's special microclimate is also determined by the influence of the White Sea and 564 lakes located on the islands. People tried to master Solovki Islands since the ancient times.

The main attraction of the Island is the Monastery. The year 1436 is generally accepted as the year of the Monastery foundation. Eventually, the Solovki Monastery strengthened its positions, and by the middle of the 16th century it became an important religious and political center of Russia. By the seventeenth century, Solovki had become one of the biggest monasteries in the world, with 300 monks and 600 workers who were mostly involved in salt production.

The Solovetsky Monastery was the greatest cultural and religious center of Russia till its very abolition. Antique books were collected here for centuries; and the monastery's library was believed to be one of the best in the world. Its collection of icons, church utensils, and embroidery was also considered priceless.

From the middle of the 19th century Solovki become the place of exile of many notable political and religious figures, but most tragic events were written in the history of Solovki during Soviet times, in the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1921 Solovki monastery was closed and its new history as Solovetsky Concentration Camp of Special Designation (SLON, which means "elephant" in Russian) began. From 1923 to 1939, it came to be one of the most feared gulags in the Soviet Union.

After being closed for more than 70 years, the monastery was recently reopened; and it instantly became places of pilgrimage.

In 1989 Solovki was also recognized as one of World Heritage of UNESCO landmarks. Annually, thousands of people come to Solovki to see one of the most worshipped monasteries, to pay respect to famous Russian saints, to marvel at the wonderful historical, architectural and hydro technical monuments. They also come to be surrounded by the atmosphere of the past, and to get under the spell of the magnificent Russian Northern nature.