The fortification structures surrounding the Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery along the perimeter raise a question: why would a spiritual cloister need such fortress walls and towers? One should not forget that in the turbulent 17th century, any building potentially had to be able to change its function and serve as a defensive stronghold against invaders.
According to documentary sources, in 1628 the monastery fence was still wooden. It was rebuilt in stone in 1664, creating a perimeter of 1400 meters and significantly increasing the monastery's area. The walls have two rows of machicolation loopholes, and the twelve towers housed ammunition stores.
The main tower, called the Passage Tower, is 22 meters high; it is simple and laconic in design, in the shape of a quadrangle, yet not without decoration. The brick patterns resemble the decorative finishing of Suzdal churches. The tower is crowned with a tented roof and a small church cupola, so from afar it can indeed be mistaken for a church structure.
The tower underwent major repairs in 1860, and before that it had stood partially ruined for about a hundred years after being struck by lightning in the 18th century.
At present, the Passage Tower, together with the entire architectural complex of the Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
