Kazan Tower was solemnly opened after restoration in Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve

M.N. Sharomazov, director of the Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve, greeted all guests. “We began to open the towers of the monastery for visitors. It is the first tower that visitors will be able to ascend, where they will be able to come closer to loopholes and to see how this fortress could prepare for defence. Besides, large work has been carried out to beautify the adjacent area and to restore the main entrance to the museum and the monastery. New pavements have been built. We are glad to meet guests again”, he noted.

O.A. Vasiliev, Deputy Governor of the Vologda Region, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Vologda Region Governor, to all people who had made efforts so that this event could take place. Besides, he pointed out that September 6, 2016, was a special day in the history of the Vologda region and the Kirillov district.

“Two unique events connected with one name and one place have coincided today: opening of the Kazan Tower that is unique in its structure and delivery of a fragment of the relics of St. Ferapont (Mozhaysky) Belozersky – one of the founders of this monastery - to the Vologda region. A festive service is being performed in the Church of the Intersession on Torg in Vologda on the occasion of this event now. It is symbolic that these two events have coincided and it is certainly the providence”, he said.  

The full cycle of restoration was carried out in the Kazan Tower. The restoration draft of the monument was elaborated in 2008. The work was carried out by LLC “Electra” (Cherepovets) within three years (2014-2016). They lifted the roof of the tower to restore original rotten wooden structures, to reduce the risk of collapse and to plaster cracks. Special wooden subfloors were made for visitors. It will be also possible to stage museum exhibitions in the tower. It is the first step to restoration of all towers of the grandiose fortress of the New Town of the 17th century in the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery.