We peer at the enormous hammered gold dome and Bill points out the double headed gold eagles way, way up there. Despite corrective lenses, myopia bars clear visibility of fine detail of the belfry. He also brings to my attention the old monastery well. Odd, I did not notice it last time either. Nearby in the centre of the complex is the ruins of the Dormination Church.
Old photos show it to be a magnificent structure.
This is not surprising as it was designed based on Byzantine influence. A guide said it was destroyed by the Russians and not the Nazis, but as I could not understand all that was said, I cannot relate what happened. It is a shame as all that remains is a few walls and one dome. A few frescoes are barely visible. Big urns are standing within the ruined walls, but I don't know if they are from the original church.