Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius
It was established 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 between 1354 and 1358. For most of its history, the abbey remained heavily dependent upon the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, which lies to the west. After the monastery was disbanded in 1764, the "sloboda" was granted municipal rights in 1778. Thereafter, Kirzhach, as many other towns in the vicinity, developed primarily as a textile center.