In the 16th century, the hermit Neil settled in the Tver Upper Volga region, later the Russian Saint Nil Stolobensky the Wonderworker, whose fame went far beyond the Tver land . As it later turned out, this event had important consequences for the history edges . The Monk Nile settled on Stolobny Island, where the monastery of Nilova Pustyn was built in 1594 ., which became not only the custodian of the prayer book covenants, but also the spiritual center of the entire Verkhnevolzhye . The history of the monastery was bitter, but despite all the difficulties of Nilov the deserts continued to develop, strengthen and rebuild with the material support of Russian tsars and noble patrons .
Historical background
The architectural appearance of the monastery ensemble was finally formed in the mid-19th century and . This time is considered the prime of the monastery: there is active development, temples and various economic buildings are growing . New, 20th century Nilova deserts meets as the most popular pilgrimage site of the holy place . The years of Soviet power are a huge step back, the monastery is closed, the values are confiscated, many buildings are destroyed, and the relics of the saints are desecrated . In the period from 1927 to 1990 . there were colonies for prisoners of war, a hospital, a nursing home, a tourist center .
in 1990 when the holy monastery was given Russian Orthodox Church, there was a hope to see the Nilova deserts in a revived form. Restoration works do not cease and to this day, the golden domes of some cathedrals have already returned to a decent condition, the interiors of the Epiphany Church are restored, and the facade is being restored.
The monastery is open for tourists, pilgrims, excursion groups.
Useful information
Address: Tverskaya oblast, Ostashkovsky district, Svetlitsa village
Nilova Pustyn monastery is located at a distance of 22 km from the town of Ostashkov to get there by public transport, Doc. To travel, you can take a train or bus.
Tourists from Moscow need to take a train "Moscow - Ostashkov", which leaves from the Leningrad station. If you are from St. Petersburg, then your train - "St. Petersburg - Velikie Luki", departing from the Moscow railway station, then you can continue the journey by rail and transfer to Velikiye Luki by the suburban train "Velikie Luki - Bologoe", which goes through Ostashkov.
If you prefer to travel by bus, you can take the bus "Moscow - Ostashkov", which is sent every day from the bus station Tushino (ticket price - 550 RUB), or a minibus, the initial station of which - at the metro station "Dynamo" (ticket price - 600 RUB).
The final stage of the transport task is the road from Ostashkov to the Nilovaya desert. Buses from the Ostashkov bus station to the village of Svetlitsa depart several times a day
If you travel by car, from Ostashkov go to Torzhok, immediately after the railway bridge, turn at the pointer to Pokrovskoye and drive through Sorogu and Zaluchye to Svetlitsa village. @
In the warm season at the weekend in the Nilo-Stolobensky Desert, you can go with a boat trip that departs from the river station in Ostashkov (Leninsky Prospect 41), information on its schedule should be confirmed in advance on the Internet.
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| Epiphany Cathedral, Nilo-Stolobenskaya Desert |
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| Nilo-Stolobenskaya Desert, Top view |
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| Nilo-Stolobenskaya Desert |
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| Monument to Nil Stolobensky, Nilo-Stolobenskaya Desert |
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| Temple of the Exaltation I am the Lord's Cross, Stolobny Island |