UNique - 7/10

The first building of the complex, the Trinity Cathedral, was built in 1422, in honour of the St. Sergius, a revered monk who founded a lot of monasteries across the country and blessed the Russian Grand Prince before the battles against the Tatars. The site of the original cathedral grew over centuries with various rulers adding churches and belfries to the complex. Nowadays, Lavra is the centre of Russian Orthodox religious life, with numerous holy water wells dotting the area and services being held around the clock. Long lines of devotees and curious tourists line up to pay respects to the famous Holy Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev.

ESsential - 6/10

Although intended for religious purposes, the monastery played an important part in the political developments of the country. The six-meter-tall walls came in very useful during the famous sixteen-month siege by the Polish-Lithuanian troops in 1608. In 1689, young Peter the Great took refuge at the monastery during the attempted military coup in Moscow. As a token of gratitude, he ordered to build several smaller churches which completed the architectural appearance of the Lavra complex.

COst-effective - 9/10

Like with other Russian churches, there is a sign for an entrance fee for foreign tourists. However, unless you are a part of a guided tour, you can save yourself 450 rubles, as the entrance to the entire Lavra complex is free. Do resist taking pictures inside the churches, as it is a very intimate and holy experience for many visitors. There are several reasonably-priced stalls selling pirozhki baked on the premises and the delicious monastery kvas. Finally, if you are very committed to Medieval Russian church art, you can queue up in the long line to see the famous Holy Trinity icon.