The Novodevichy Convent
The Novodevichy Convent is one of the key Orthodox complexes that played a crucial role in the history of religion and public life of Russia. At the same time, this monastery is one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in the country, a true masterpiece of the 16th–17th centuries. The Novodevichy Convent and cemetery were proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site as they are an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture. The ancient, though still-active Smolensky Cathedral of the convent contains important Orthodox relics.
The Novodevichy Convent looks used to be a key fortified outpost protecting the south-western outskirts of Moscow. The remote location allowed the Lord’s servants to be of assistance to their secular ruler: they were the first to raise the alarm, and the first to accept battle. Tsar Vasily IIIthe Grand Prince of Moscow from 1505 to 1533 founded the Novodevichy Convent in 1524 with these intentions in mind. Now a beautiful monument of architecture, the convent used to be the epicenter of all kinds of historic events throughout the six centuries of its existence. The convent bore witness to the iconic moments such as the formation of the Muscovite state, the Time of Troublesperiod of political crisis in Russia from 1598 to 1613, wars, coups, revolutions, and the campaigns designed first to destroy and later to restore the Orthodox shrines. The remarkably rich history of Novodevichy Convent is full of legends.
How to get to The Novodevichy Convent
The nearest metro station is Sportivnaya/Спортивная (at the bottom of red line, 1) and then it is 7-10 minutes’ walk. The territory of the monastery is open to visitors from 9:00 to 17:00.
- The Novodevichy Convent
