Palestine Near Moscow

19 points5 km4 hours

Patriarch Nikon dreamed of recreating Jerusalem's Holy Land near Moscow, complete with Mount Zion, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, an underground church and much more. Follow the route and judge for yourself how well this sacred landscape was transplanted.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
🌲🦋 Enjoy nature

Route points (19)

Chamber of the Monastery Wards in Istra

Point on route “Palestine Near Moscow”

Point 16

Chamber of the Monastery Wards

🏟️ Architectural landmark • 📜 Historic site

Historical Background

There were no orphanages in the 17th century, and the monastery partly filled that role, on terms very favorable to itself. Monastery servants entered into an oral or written agreement and became feudal dependents of the church. Work at the Resurrection Monastery consisted of tilling the fields and fishing. These wards, known as “detyonyshi” (“little ones”), were mercilessly exploited, but in return they got food and shelter. Even as adults they kept the same status.

What to Feel

Imagine you are one of the monastery wards, back in the chamber after a 34-hour shift, and spend five minutes here, just as they would have.