Makaryev Zheltovodsky Monastery

The monastery was founded in the first half of the fifteenth century by St Makary of Zheltovodsk and Unzha — named for the Yellow lake on whose shore the saint set his community. The Volga in time swallowed the lake, and the monastery found itself on the river's bank; the main cathedral is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. In 1439 the khan Ulu-Muhammad burned the monastery; the life of the saint relates that the khan, learning of the captive Makary's meekness, released him with honours — along with four hundred men, women and children. The community survived this and centuries of neglect; today it is a women's monastery with restored walls and a cathedral above the water. The best view of Makaryevo is from the Volga: the white walls on their hill are visible from afar and work as a beacon for boats. Pleasure boats from Nizhny and Lyskovo call here, and walking pilgrimages end at the same gates.