Sergiev Posad

70 kilometers north of Moscow, the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius rises like a fairy-tale kingdom.  Founded around 1345 by St. Sergius of Radonezh, it remains one of the most important centers of the Orthodox religion and a major destination of pilgrims.  Most impressive is the blue and gold-domed Cathedral of the Assumption which was built by Ivan the Terrible in the 16^th Century.  Magnificent icons and frescoes grace the churches here, including Trinity Cathedral which contains the relics of the founding saint..