Church of St. John the Baptist

The Church of St. John the Baptist is a stone structure with white walls, rounded domes, and multiple arched windows within the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery complex. The building rises prominently in the courtyard, with its distinctive shape created by the dome arrangement and the walls that support them.

The church was built between 1531 and 1534 during a period of monastic expansion in northern Russia. This construction project represented an important phase in the development of the monastery complex.

The church displays traditional Russian Orthodox features visible in its layout and decoration, which reflect how believers have worshipped here for centuries. Visitors notice how the space is arranged for religious practice and how light enters through the windows to illuminate the interior.

Visitors enter through the main monastery gate, where tours in Russian are available during regular opening hours. Comfortable footwear is recommended since walking around the complex involves crossing courtyards and uneven surfaces.

The bell tower houses a collection of historic bells that were cast in the monastery workshop over many centuries. Each bell has its own sound and size, and they were used to mark important moments throughout the day in monastic life.

Location: городское поселение Кириллов

Website: https://kirillbelozersky.ru/temples/cerkov-useknovenia-glavy-ioanna-predteci-s-pridelom-prepodobnogo-kirilla-belozerskogo-v

GPS coordinates: 59.85649,38.37017

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:20