The Ferapontov monastery was founded by a fellow monk of St. Kirill Belozersky – by Saint Ferapont in 1938 the monastery is Located 120 km from Vologda. The Ferapontov monastery is small: four churches, a refectory, bell tower and the Treasury chamber fenced not very high fence of brick.

Fame the monastery gained through the activities of St. Martinian, which is the spiritual father of Basil II. In the second half of the XV – beginning of XVI century the monastery was an important spiritual, ideological, and cultural center of the Belozersk district. The elders of the monastery had a serious impact on the policy of Moscow. In the beginning of the XVII V. Ferapontov monastery owned several villages, fifty villages, wastelands and peasants in the amount of more than three hundred people.

The ensemble of the monastery impresses with quiet charm, comfort, unity with nature. The first buildings of the monastery were constructed of wood. Stone buildings begin to build in the end of XV century. The first was erected the Cathedral of the Nativity of our lady, which was one of the first churches, built of stone in the North of Russia. The Cathedral is the oldest building of the monastery.

The painting of the Cathedral was engaged Dionysius - known and popular artist-painter of that time. To paint the Cathedral Dionysius helped sons. The size murals of the Cathedral is 600 sqm Pleasing to the eye with a soft colour paintings and numerous stories. The walls of the Cathedral were painted for thirty-four days.

Nativity Cathedral feels exceptionally light, elegant, slender. Special attire is different West side. The basis of its decoration is a decorative belt, consisting of two tiers, lined with sparkling tiled tiles. Above is patterned cornice. Generously treated the drum of the Central dome and arches and semicircles of the altar apses. Their design presents all varieties of decor - tiled belt, balusters, artistic niches.

Adjacent to the Cathedral bunk with built-in transitions in the middle of the bell tower. They lead to the Church of the Annunciation, which was built in 1530-1534, Is the temple of cubic shape, with a single Chapter, divided into three floors-tier. First, the lower floor was occupied by household pantries, space for worship was located on the second floor, the third floor housed the bell tower. Not usual was the completion of the temple. District high cylindrical drum, which was topped with a fanciful head, grouped bell tower, little rooms, with the purpose of "hiding places" and the libraries, moves traffic.

The main entrance to the monastery is the Holy gate. They were built in 1649 the Main facade of their colorful and elegant. Long and narrow Windows framed by elongated casing having acute keeled over. Under the eaves – patterned belt in two rows. The crown of the skill and talent of the architect tents are treated with great taste.

In 1614 the abode thoroughly looted the poles. However, valuable relics, the monks managed to hide and save. Gradually, since the late 17th century, at the monastery begins the decline. The buildings of the monastery, one might say, only in the North of Russia that has preserved all the typical features of the interior design and decoration.

By decision of the Holy Synod in 1798, the monastery was closed. Many buildings were destroyed or rebuilt. In 1904 the monastery begins to function as a female. It again closed in 1923. In 1975, begins the formation of the Museum. In our day within its walls is a Museum of frescoes of Dionysius. Today it is the oldest surviving murals of ancient Russia.