Abalak Monastery
The oldest men's monastery on the southern Urals, founded in the early 17th century, known for its icons of the Mother of God.
Abalak is an old monastic town in the Tyumen region, founded as the Abalak Monastery in the early 17th century. It is one of the ancient religious centres of the Urals.
History
- The monastery was founded in 1615 — almost contemporaneously with the stone building in Siberia.
- In the 18th century the abbey flourished: the Kazan Cathedral, the bell tower, and the brothers' quarters were built.
- In the 20th century — as with most monasteries — it was closed, returned, and restored.
- Today it is a working men's monastery with a church, a guesthouse for pilgrims, and tours.
What to see
- The Kazan Cathedral — the main church of the abbey.
- The bell tower — with bells cast in the old foundries.
- The icon museum — icons of the 17th–19th centuries, some of local work.
- The pilgrim guesthouse — you can stay one or two nights.
Practical: Abalak stands off the main roads — allow for the drive. The monastery works on a weekday schedule; Sundays and feast days have services. For a pilgrimage visit, morning is best, before the tour groups. There is a guesthouse in the monastery, but places are limited — book ahead.