Solovki Monastery
Panoramic view of Solovki Monastery complex filmed in winter time. Magic picture is taken from helicopter and gives a wide perspective of Solovki Islands along the shores of the White Sea. Close up views of Solovki monastery towers covered in snow. Founded by hermit monks this place later was turned into a prison.
Archival footage illustrates the history of the monastery in Soviet times. In 1923 the monastery was taken from its residents and the complex became a special prison camp.
They say that the prisoners who had \"misbehaved\" might have been whipped and then flung down the steep slope beside the church.
Views of a cross placed on the \"Hatchet Mountain\" as a memorial to the prisoners of the GULag who died on Solovki. The cross is built in the traditional style for maritime crosses: no part of the wood touches the ground, it is held up by rocks to keep the damp ground from rotting the wood We also filmed archeologists looking for the remains of GULag prisoners. Close up view of a human skull found.
Views of the main island, \"Sekirnaja gora,\" a steep mountain on whose summit stands church. Views of church interiors: the first floor is a \"summer church\" (unheated), the second floor is a \"winter church\" (heated), up is a bell tower, and at the very top is a lighthouse. The church has been reconstructed but is not used for regular services; no one lives on the mountain now except the guard/custodian and his family.
Interview recorded: A story on Solovki history and tourism development. Detailed description of footage as well as full lengths preview tape available upon request.
