Overview excursion around the Solvetski monastery
Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Short description: This is an introduction to the history of the Solovetski monastery. You will see the central complex area, including churches, monastery buildings and the cathedral, all of which have UNESCO-listed World Heritage status.
The itinerary includes the holy gates, an exhibition about St Phillip (abbot of the monastery and later bishop of Moscow and All Russia), the refectory and cellars, the gallery along the central complex, the Transfiguration cathedral and Annunciation church. The tour also includes a walk along the ramparts, and a visit to outbuildings including the tower which the monks used for spinning, their flour mill and the wash-house. There is also a visit to an exhibition about the Solovetski monastery prison.
Note: excursion is by foot.
Visitors must be properly dressed for visiting a working monastery.
History of the Solovetski gulag 1923-1939
Time: 3 hours
Short description: You will probably know something about the Solovetski monastery gulag. It was initially called the Solovki Forced Labour Camp of Special Designation (SLON, in Russian), and in 1937 it became the Prison of Special Designation (STON).
The itinerary includes the holy gates, an exhibition about the Solovetski gulag, the Arkhangel Hotel (which was used as a women's prison), the cemetery used by both the monks and the gulag, the work town, barracks and children's prison. You will also visit Memory Lane, a path built to remember the gulag era, and the memorial complex for all people who died in the SLON.
Note: excursion is on foot.
Sikirnaya Mountain, Holy Assumption Hermitage
Time: 3 hours
Short description: You will visit one of the highest hills on Solovki, called Sikirnaya, from where you can see the beautiful northern part of the Big Solovetski Island and the White Sea. The guide will tell you about the history of this place, and the buildings which are being brought back to life. At the time of the gulag this was an isolation unit, a punishment block for prisoners. There is a church on the hill which doubles as a lighthouse.
The itinerary includes the oldest monk's road and the Assumption Hermitage, and affords a spectacular panorama of the north part of the island and monumental cross.
Note: the distance from the village to Sikirnaya is 11km, so the excursion is by bus.
Visitors must be properly dressed for visiting a working monastery.
Boat trip around the lake system and canals of Solovki
Time: 6 hours
Short description: During this excursion you can find out about the workings of this unique water system. Travelling by canal you will visit five of the lakes; the boat trip is about 5km long.
The itinerary includes the oldest monastery road, and takes in various buildings and structures associated with the water system, including canals, sluices, a harbour and dams.
Note: from the start of the excursion there is a 2.5km walk to the boat station. Each boat takes 4-5 people, and you row yourself.
Botanical Garden - Makarievskaya Hermitage
Time: 45 minutes - during another excursion
Short description: this is one of the most northerly botanic gardens in Russia. It was built in the grounds of the Makarievskaya Hermitage. You can see unique plants from different periods of the Solovetski island history, visit the historical garden buildings, and from Aleksandrovskaya Hill take in the beautiful views over the island towards the monastery.
Note: the distance from the village to the Botanical Garden is 4km.
Phillip's dam, unique to the White Sea
Time: 45 minutes during another excursion
Short description: you will find out about the flora and fauna of the White Sea, and in particular about the workings of this unique dam, which was built in the 16th century by abbot Phillip.
Note: the dam is 2km from the village on foot.
Big Zayetski Island
Time: 3 hours
Short description: This is a boat excursion. On Zayetski you will see one of Europe's biggest prehistoric sanctuaries, dated from 1,000 to 2,000 years BC. The site includes stone labyrinths, remains of the cult complex and buildings, and also the first stone dock in Russia. You will also visit the site of the Andrei Hermitage.
The itinerary includes spectacular panoramic views of the White Sea, remains of the Andrei Hermitage and one of the biggest neolithic sites in Europe.
Note: time by boat is 45 minutes. The excursion will not take place if there is stormy weather. Zayetski Island is strictly controlled, so you can not walk around alone or without a guide.
Stroll by the sea to the island Big Muksalma
Time: 5 hours
Short description: this starts with a pleasant walk to Long Bay followed by a boat trip to Big Muksalma. Here you will see the immense hand-made stone dam, 1.5km long, which stretches between Big Solovetski Island and Big Muksalma. You will also see many different landscapes and island habitats, and find out about the history of Sergeyev Hermitage, which is part of the Solovetski monastery.
Note: from the village to Long Bay is 4km, and you walk there and back. Time by boat is 40 minutes.
The excursion will not take place if there is stormy weather.
The hermitages and island of Anzer
Time: 12 hours
Short description: You go by boat from Long Bay to Anzer island, the second largest of the Solovetski archipelago, where in 16th to the 18th century hermitages were founded with particularly strict rules. The hermitages are called Holy Trinity and Golgotha Crucifixion. The tour takes in the island's many different natural landscapes and habitats. It also includes both hermitages and the guide will describe the history of the monastery, the gulags and the modern period of the island.
Note: it is a 4km walk from the monastery to the boat at Long Bay. The boat crossing to Anzer then takes 2.5 hours. On the island of Anzer the whole itinerary adds up to a walk of around 12km. There is no cafe or shop, so you need to bring all your day's provisions with you. The excursion will not take place if there is stormy weather. You will need to wear suitable clothing for visiting a working monastery.