A fortified monastery about five kilometres north of the city centre, on a bend of the Vologda River — founded in 1371 and still functioning as an active Orthodox monastery. The main structures date from the 16th and 17th centuries: the Cathedral of the Saviour (1537), the Gate Church, the bell tower, and the substantial stone walls built to defend against raids during the Time of Troubles.
The monastery is the most impressive architectural ensemble in the Vologda region. The whitewashed walls of the cathedral interior carry fragmentary 17th-century frescoes. The monastic gardens along the riverbank are open to visitors and are a good place to walk in summer. The trip from the city centre takes about 20 minutes by taxi or by bicycle along the river path.