Spas na Ugre, Eastern Orthodox monastery in Kaluga, Russia.
Spas na Ugre is a monastery in Kaluga situated on elevated ground where the Ugra and Oka rivers meet, with two main churches enclosed within its walls. The complex displays the architecture typical of religious communities from this period, with structures arranged around a central courtyard.
Founded in the mid-16th century by Prince Dmitry Fyodorovich Vorotynsky, the monastery represented an important period of religious development in the region. It ceased operations in 1764 but resumed its spiritual role when it reopened as an active religious institution in 2000.
The monastery preserves ancient tombstones from the 16th and 17th centuries that show how people once honored their dead and the skills of local craftsmen. The inscriptions and carvings on these stones tell stories of the faithful buried within the grounds.
The site is best explored on foot, and its elevated position offers good views of the river landscape below. Visitors should check in advance whether guided tours are available to learn more about the structures and their background.
The Transfiguration Cathedral dates from the mid-16th century, yet archaeological evidence beneath its foundation suggests earlier structures once stood on this spot. This hints that a religious or administrative site may have occupied the location before the monastery's official founding.
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