Pechenga Monastery

Pechenga Monastery is an Orthodox monastery complex in northern Russia, situated where the Pechenga River meets the Barents Sea. The compound contains multiple buildings constructed with traditional wooden structures and religious buildings that serve the monastic community.

This monastery was founded in 1533 by a monk from Novgorod and endured multiple destructions through raids and conflict over the following centuries. Reconstruction using traditional methods began in the early 2000s.

The monastery follows Russian Orthodox traditions that visitors can observe through daily services and religious practices. The community here maintains customs rooted in centuries of spiritual life.

Visitors should prepare for cold and windy weather since the monastery sits in an arctic region. Summer is the best time to visit, when paths are more accessible and daylight lasts longer.

This monastery sits farther north than any other monastery in the world, marking an extreme geographic location. This remote position shaped monastic life for centuries and remains a defining aspect of the place today.

Location: Luostari

Inception: 1533

GPS coordinates: 69.42606,31.05834

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46