Tolga Monastery, Yaroslavl The Vodansky Monastery of St. Tolga is one of the oldest, most beautiful and well-maintained Orthodox monasteries in Russia. The monastery was founded in 1314 on the left bank of the Volga in the place where the miraculous appearance of the Tolga icon of the Mother of God. In 1987, it became the first monastery to be returned to the church during the Soviet Union, literally rising from the ruins. Today, pilgrims and tourists are attracted here not only by the spiritual heritage, but also by amazing flower beds, a pond with black swans and the famous Siberian cedar grove. Photo: zhannalaska Russian culture.

Tolga Monastery, Yaroslavl The Vodansky Monastery of St. Tolga is one of the oldest, most beautiful and well-maintained Orthodox monasteries in Russia. The monastery was founded in 1314 on the left bank of the Volga in the place where the miraculous appearance of the Tolga icon of the Mother of God. In 1987, it became the first monastery to be returned to the church during the Soviet Union, literally rising from the ruins. Today, pilgrims and tourists are attracted here not only by the spiritual heritage, but also by amazing flower beds, a pond with black swans and the famous Siberian cedar grove. Photo: zhannalaska Russian culture.