Ukraine: Mgar Monastery

Mgar Monastery is located in Poltava Region, this 1619 male monastery occupies extensive hilltop grounds. The beautiful 5-domed church has a very rich altar and some historic painting and frescoes. There is a graceful 1760s bell-tower just outside, as well as several chapels. Graces of several of the Kievan metropolitans. After the revolution in 1917, the monastery was closed, and then eventually used as a summer pioneer camp for children, before monks were allowed back in 1993. It’s a functioning monastery now. There is also a bird exhibit, housing hard to see local birds of prey, which is pretty cool