I like to enjoy this place in the morning hours when people are asleep and the streets are empty. I am talking about a green island near Tul’skaya metro station which contains small squares and two monasteries: Donskoy and Danilov.

I cross the street via the underground walkway and arrive at some kind of square – three tree-lined lawns and two paths. I like to take this way to Donskoy monastery. You’ll see few locals running after their pets and mommies walking by with their babies.

Going through it to a very picturesque church on my right I breathe and listen to nature as not so many cars are on the road at this early morning hour. Suddenly bells break through the silence. That’s the moment when I realize – I came here for this beauty.

Then I walk along a long monastic wall made of red brick, entertained by singing birds. I know that behind it is the cemetery and several temples where services are carried out on a daily basis. And all this comes from the XVII century. Wow! I turn around Donskoy monastery to get into a small so called park nearby… It is lovely, with trees and benches and gravel alleys.

Church service usually lasts for an hour. I like listening to the sacred songs. I heard something similar in the USA in one Catholic Church on Christmas Eve. It was a ticketed concert. Here you shouldn’t pay, but come with open heart and mind.