March 28 2011
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We continue to travel around the world using banknotes in our pocket. Today we are in Russia, Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea, where you can find well-known Solovetsky Monastery and Solovki prison camp.
On the 500 rubles bill and far away in the background of the photo - Solovetsky Monastery, the greatest citadel of Christianity in the Russian North before being turned into a special Soviet prison and labor camp (1926–1939), which served as a prototype for the GULAG system. Situated on the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea, the monastery braved many changes of fortune and military sieges. Its most important structures date from the 16th century when by the end of the 16th century, the abbey had emerged as one of the wealthiest landowners and most influential religious centres in Russia.
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