Goritsy

The village Goritsy and its pier are situated on the left bank of the Sheksna River. The Goritsy Female Monastery of Resurrection is in the southern part of the village. The monastery was founded in 1544 by Princess Yefrosinya Khovanskaya - wife of Prince Andrew Staritsky. About 1.5 km to the east rises the natural monument Mount Maura - (height above sea level - 185 m). It offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

According to the legend, St. Kirill Belozersky had a vision here: this is where he is alleged to have first seen the site for the Convent, assigned to him by Mary, mother of God. On top of the mountain there is a huge hollow trace fossil; it is known as the footprint of St. Kirill himself.

Recently a cross was raised next to the fossil as well as a chapel consecrated in the name of the miracle workers Saints Kirill and Therapont Belozersky.

The city of Kirillov, reknowned for its Kirill-Belozersky Monastery, is located 8 kilometers from Goritsy, on the shores of breathtaking Lake Siverskoye. It was founded in 1397, and was once the most important religious, cultural, defense and economic center of the Russian North.

Today, it is one of the largest monastery complexes of Russia, with a wealth of architectural monuments.