Information About

Kirzhach




The town originated in the 14th Century as a Sloboda assigned to the Annunciation Monastery. The latter was established by Saint Sergius Of Radonezh , who lived in the area from 1354 until 1358 . For most of its history, the abbey remained heavily dependent upon the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra , which lies 48 km to the west.

The diminutive monastery cathedral, erected during the reign of boyars in 1656 , contains their family sepulchre. The 16th-century Refectory with St Sergius Church was demolished during the Soviet years.

After the monastery was disbanded in 1764 , the sloboda received municipal rights (1778). Thereafter Kirzhach, like so many towns in the vicinity, developed primarily as a Textile centre.

Yuri Gagarin , the first man to be launched in space, died in a jet crash 21 km from Kirzhach. There is an Obelisk marking the spot of the catastrophe.