Sergiev Posad in 3 Russian words
This small town near Moscow has become famous as the spiritual and toy capital of Russia. Here are three of its main symbols.
1. ТРОИЦЕ-СЕРГИЕВА ЛАВРА (Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius)
The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius (meaning a monastery of special importance) is dubbed the "heart of Russian Orthodoxy". It’s the largest monastery in the country, home to the oldest theological academy and one of the main publishing houses of the Russian Orthodox Church.
2. МАТРЕШКА (Matryoshka)
The first Russian ‘matryoshka’ (nesting) dolls were made in Moscow in the late 19th century, but, a few years later, production moved to Sergiev Posad. The city remained the main center of their production, even during the Soviet era. In 1959, a 42-piece ‘matryoshka’ doll was made there, each figurine symbolizing one year of Soviet rule.
3. ИГРУШКА (Toy)
Sergiev Posad is also known as the "toy capital of Russia". Local traditions of making wooden toys span over three centuries. Today, the city is home to the world's first official state toy museum. It was founded in 1918 in Moscow and, in 1931, it moved to Zagorsk (as Sergiev Posad was known back then).
