Museums of Russia: Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve restored three towers

The Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve will open three towers after a large restoration. They were built in the XVII century.

"The Vologodskaya, Moskovskaya, and Belozerskaya towers, buildings of the last quarter of the XVII century, which had never been restored and were not practically used by the museum, have been intensively restored during the last two years. Unfortunately, not all of them were completed, because the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery lost its strategic importance after the Russian Empire gained access to the Baltic Sea during the reign of Peter the Great. Now the restoration work has been completed. As soon as all restrictions connected with the coronavirus pandemic will be removed, the recreated objects will be open for visiting", said Mikhail Sharomazov, General Director of the Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve.

The Vologdskaya Tower (lower level) now is housing a workshop for the restoration of icons and wood products. The Moskovskaya Tower got a renewed wooden flooring, used by archers who defended the monastery in ancient times. The workshops for the restoration of metal products are located at the lower level of Belozerskaya Tower, the upper levels will be used as exhibition spaces.

The Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery was founded in 1397 by the monk Kirill. The architectural ensemble is included in the list of especially valuable objects of the cultural heritage of Russia.