Freemasonry is surrounded by an aura of mystery. According to some legends, Freemasons trace their origins back to the time of the biblical patriarchs or pagan mysteries; according to others, to the time of Solomon's Temple or the Crusades. Most researchers believe that the roots of the famous movement were medieval construction guilds of masons and the quest of European intellectuals. What is Freemasonry? When were the first orders created and where were their lodges located? Why did the Freemasons call their work the “royal art”? In what period of world history did freemasons become part of Russian cultural life, and most importantly, who were their famous representatives? Sergei Karpachev is trying to objectively and impartially understand the essence of this historical phenomenon. The publishing design is preserved in PDF A4 format.