In memory of his miraculous saving Nikon found the Cross Monastery on the Kiy-Island (in the 17th century)-one of the three monasteries, founded by his personal initiative and being a symbol of his power and the place where the church reform began.
The inside monastery’s planning is very compact. From the sea side you can watch how organically the monumental complex is integrated into the island’s rocky relief.
From numerous monastery building only the Monastery of the Exaltation of the Cross, the church-over-the-well with the attached stone cells, the two-layer Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God with the refectory and the cellarer chambers have preserved till nowadays.
You can see several buildings in the monastery, many of which have been recently restored. The Monastery is situated in the south of the island. The most flat and high place was chosen. The west facades of the churches have the view on the sea, and the altar facades have the view on the monastery square. The buildings of the Monastery of the Exaltation of the Cross, the refectory and the church-over-the-well stand closely to each other, their walls are made of granite and brick, which creates an impression of a single monolithic structure in combination with the rocks around it.
Today the pilgrims from all over Russia come to the monastery.
Как добраться
During the navigation period the ferry sails every day from Onega to the Kiy-Island.