Svyato-Troitsky Markov Monastery (Holy Trinity Markov Monastery) is one of two modern monasteries in Vitebsk (second one is female Svyato-Dukhov Monastery). Markov Monastery was founded in the 14th-15th century. A legend indicates that a certain Mark found a place to stay alone and built a chapel there. After he was joined by like-minded persons, who formed the monastery.
The monastery existed till 1576, after it was abolished and monastic Тrinity Church became a parish church. The monastery revived in 1633 by a duke Lev Oginski. In 1656 Patriarch of Moscow Nikon presented to the monastery a wonder-working copy of Kazan Virgin icon. In 1690 Pokrovskaya (Intercession) Church was burned down was reconstructed. In 1760 in this place the new preserved stone cathedral was constructed. Now it's covers to Kazan Virgin icon.
After October Revolution, in 1920 Svyato-Troitsky Markov Monastery was abolished afresh. All buildings except Kazan Cathedral of 1760 were demolished. Kazan church were the only Vitebsk church functioned in Soviet time. The monastery was revived 23 November 2000. Now it's situated at factory territory in the middle of factory buildings.
References:Towering 52 meters above the sea, Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest one in Scandinavia. The building started in in 1905 after the shipwreck of S/S Helsingfors and was completed in 1906. The lighthouse was designed by architect Florentin Granholm. On December a special petrol lantern, designed and built in Paris, was brought to Bengtskär and installed atop the tower.
German fleet bombarded Bengstkär in the First World War in 1914. Since the Gulf of Finland was heavily mined, it was not until 1919 that the surrounding seas were declared safe for shipping, that the light was lit again.
After the war the military value of Bengtskär increased as part of the defence system of independent Finland. In Second World War (1941) Soviet Union made a suprise attack to island. After a bloody battle, the small Finnish garrison emerged victorious. Intermittent repairs to the facility continued during the post-war period.