Novodevichyi Convent, Moscow

Part of UNESCO Heritage, the Novodevichi convent was founded by Basil III in 1524, then completed by regent Sophia, half-sister of Peter the Great. She was then confined by him there after he deposed her from the throne.

Great example of the fortified monasteries, that encircled Moscow and protected its approaches. (For more detailed information about the monasteries, please consult the Novospasski travelogue).

Inside the compound, you will find the Cathedral of the Virgin of Smolensk (the first building built in 1524 to commemorate the capture of Smolensk), the baroque bell-tower, the gate-towers and several museums containing either history information or icons. Adjoined is the cemetery where many famous russians are buried. And there is a lovely walk to be made around the pond just outside, with nice views of the monastery.

The entry of the compound is free, you pay for the ticket for the museums and a photography permit.

2 more images

The Novodevichyi convent is located close to the Moscow river to the South West of the city centre - easily accessible by metro (take the red line in the direction of Yugo-Zapadnaya as far as Sportivnaya). Entry to the complex costs 150 roubles for tourists - and to be allowed to photograph in the museums it costs another 60 roubles. This includes entry to all buildings and museums. It should be noted that the Smolensky Cathedral is only open in the summer (until the end of September).

This is a place of serenity. Both the Convent and the Graveyard are quiet, serene, and very peacefull. There is still a lot of restoration going on at the convent, (the Cathedral is currently closed, and the upper parts of Sofia's tower is being restored for example.)

In 1524 in honor of the liberation of the ancient Russian city of Smolensk from the power of Catholic Lithuania, Great Prince Vassily of Moscow (father of Ivan the Great) founded the convent. Manu people supported the convent including Sophia. (Sophia was acting regent when the 2 young princes were on the throne.) Sophia donated large amounts to the convent and the nuns loved her. But the irony of it was, she was building her own prison. When after trying many times to have accidents happen to the princes, she lost it and ordered their murder, but instead got herself incaserated here in what was virtually a noble womens prison. The reason for this is, Back in those days when a Czar or nobleman got tired of his wife, he could not just divorce her, so she got murdered. The Patrich of the church got a little fed up with this and found a loophole. When a women entered the convent in russia then, on taking her religious name, as a secular person she was declared dead. Therefore the husband became a widower. So guess ho many unwanted wives ended up in convents.

Ironically, the english translation for the Convent Name is New Maidens Convent.

When I was there there were 2 exhibitions taking place, in the Irina suite and the Sophia suite. Both well worth seing as the artifats are breathtaking.

The Convent has been listed as a UNESCO Heritage listing.

1 more image

Behind turreted walls on the Moscow River is a cluster of sparkling domes forming the Novodevichy Convent. It was founded in 1524 to celebrate the taking of Smolensk from Lithuania.
The red and white Moscow-baroque style Transfiguration Gate Church with 5 golden domes is the main building in the convent complex. The Smolensk Cathedral is modelled after the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin.
Adjacent to the convent is the Novodevichy Cemetery, being the final resting place of famous personalities in Russian politics and culture eg. Prokofiev, Nadezhda Stalin, Raisa Gorbachev among others.

4 more images

It has been founded durino 1954 and here used to retire high society women, some willing, some not.
The most important building of the monastery is the Smolensk cathedral, built copying the style of assumption cathedral in kremlin.
Other sites worth a visit in the monastery are: the bell tower the Assunption church and Ambrosievskaya tserkov.
To reach the monastery you can take the red metro line, direction Yugo Zapapadnaya, and stop at Sportivnaya station, from here you should walk 500 meters, just look for the towers and follow the direction.
Novodevichy Monastyr opened since wensday to Monday from 10 am to 5 pm.

3 more images

Juat next to the Novodevichy Monastyr, there is the Novodevichy cimiter, which is the most important after the kremlin one.
Here infact rest many important personalities considered not important enough to be buried in Kremlin, some names are: Cechov, Gogol, Stanivslaskij, Raisa Gorbaciova and Mikhail Bulgakov.
The cimitery is opened every day since 9am to 6 pm.

4 more images

One more very interesting Monastery that has great history and wonderful architecture. The Novodevichy (New Maidens) Convent, the pre-eminent monastery-convent in Moscow throughout its history, was founded in 1524 in honor of the return of Smolensk to Russia in 1514.

The Cathedral, named after the icon of the Virgin of Smolensk, was erected in 1525. In form it is very similar to the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin. However, the proportions are slightly different: the full-blown cupolas are closer together and their general appearance is more slender. The most noticeable difference is in the use of a sub-basement or undercroft, a device used in wooden churches and in the Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin. This device became widespread in Moscow in the 16th century.

Inside the Smolensk Cathedral is a gilded iconostasis by Mikhailov dating from the late 17th century. In the cemetery attached to the Novodevichy Convent, one of the most prestigious in Moscow, lie all the leading writers and artists of the 19th century. It was at the Novodevichy Convent that Boris Godunov sought to retire, and from the steps of Smolensk Cathedral that the people and his agents persuaded him to accept the throne of Russia.

Exposition: architecture, art, history, orthodoxy .
Comments to prices: free of charge.
Working hours: Tuesday is off. Other days from 10.00 a.m. till 17.00 p.m.

4 more images

The cemetery can be found right behind the convent, there is a separate entrance. Although the guidebooks said you needed to buy a ticket at a kiosk across the road we found that just walking straight through the open and unmanned gate seemed to work.
Although it may seem a bit macabre, this was a fascinating place to visit. Many of the graves were large and ornate often including engraved depictions or busts of the individual. Nikita Kruschev was buried here - the only Soviet premier not resting under the Kremlin walls.