Masons. Popular History: Organization, Appearance, Activities

Masonry is surrounded by an aura of mystery. According to some legends, the Masons trace their origins back to the time of biblical patriarchs or pagan mysteries, while others trace them back to the time of Solomon's Temple or the... Crusades. Most researchers believe that the roots of the famous movement lie in medieval stone masons' guilds and the quests of European intellectuals. What is masonry? When were the first orders created and where were their lodges located? Why did Masons call their activities the "royal art"? During which period of world history did Freemasons become part of Russian cultural life, and most importantly, who were their famous representatives? Sergey Karpachev attempts to objectively and impartially delve into the essence of this historical phenomenon.