Goritsky Monastery, Orthodox monastery in Goritsy village, Russia

Goritsky Monastery is an Orthodox monastery in Goritsy village situated on the raised left bank of the Sheksna River, with white stone walls and multiple church buildings within its perimeter. The complex spreads across the site with a cluster of structures that served both spiritual and residential purposes.

Princess Evfrosinia Staritskaia founded this monastery in 1544 and replaced the original wooden structures with stone buildings. This establishment marked the beginning of its long history as a major religious center in the region.

This place served as a refuge where noble women from across the region came to live in Orthodox faith and community. It became a spiritual center where women of different backgrounds found a shared religious life.

The monastery is best reached by river cruise, with scheduled stops at Goritsy that bring visitors directly to the site. Guided tours can be arranged in advance to help you understand the history and significance of the buildings.

This monastery once served as a retreat for aristocratic women, including two wives of Ivan the Terrible and the daughter of Boris Godunov. These women withdrew there to live lives of prayer and religious discipline.