Solovetsky Monastery

Solovetsky Monastery
Солове́цкий монасты́рь
Monastery information
OrderRussian Orthodox Church
Established1436
Disestablishedc. 1917
Reestablished1990s
People
Founder(s)Zosimas of Solovki
Important associated figuresHerman of Solovki, Savvatiy
Site
LocationOnega Bay, Solovetsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia
Coordinates65°01′28″N 35°42′38″E / 65.02444°N 35.71056°E / 65.02444; 35.71056
Public accessYes
CriteriaCultural: iv
Reference632
Inscription1992 (16th Session)

The Solovetsky Monastery (Russian: Солове́цкий монасты́рь, IPA: [səlɐˈvʲɛtskʲɪj mənɐˈstɨrʲ]) is a fortified monastery located on the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea in northern Russia. It was one of the largest Christian citadels in northern Russia before it was converted into a Soviet prison and labor camp in 1926 to 1939, and served as a prototype for the camps of the Gulag system. The monastery has experienced several major changes and military sieges. Its most important structures date from the 16th century, when Filip Kolychev was its hegumen (comparable to an abbot).