Monastère Saint-Nil-Sorski

Saint-Nil-Sorski Monastery is an Orthodox religious community set in the forests of Vologda Oblast, situated along the Sora River. The complex contains a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, residential buildings for monks, and other structures spread across the grounds.

The monastery was founded in the early 1500s by a spiritual teacher who returned from Mount Athos and established a monastic community in this isolated forest region. The settlement he created has maintained religious continuity through centuries of Russian history.

The monastery embodies a monastic tradition that rejects material accumulation, shaping how monks live and work within these grounds today. This approach remains visible in the simple structures and modest daily routines of those who inhabit the space.

The location is quite remote and requires planning before visiting, especially during wet seasons when forest paths can become slippery. Comfortable footwear is advisable, and visitors should be aware of the distance from towns and supplies.

The monks here live in small, scattered hermitage units rather than communal dormitories, a system that creates an unusual form of monastic life focused on individual prayer and self-sufficiency. This distinctive layout surprises many visitors who expect traditional monastery structures.

Location: Pustyn, Kirillovsky District, Vologda Oblast

Inception: 15 century

Founders: Nilus of Sora

GPS coordinates: 59.98350,38.29320

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49