Danilov Monastery

Danilov Monastery is a unique architectural and historical complex located on the right bank of the Moskva River in the southern part of the capital. Founded at the end of the 13th century by Prince Daniil of Moscow, this men’s monastery is considered the oldest in Moscow and plays a significant role in the spiritual life of Russian Orthodoxy. Today the monastery functions as an active religious community and the official residence of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, attracting pilgrims from all over the country and numerous tourists interested in Russian history and architecture.

Historical Heritage of the Danilov Monastery

Foundation and the First Centuries of Existence

Tradition associates the founding of the monastery with the name of the pious Prince Daniil Aleksandrovich, the youngest son of the great commander Alexander Nevsky. In 1282, on a small hill where the quiet Khudenets stream flowed into the full-flowing Moskva River, the first wooden church in honor of St. Daniil the Stylite was laid. The choice of location proved strategically important—the monastery was situated on the southern approaches to the future capital, performing not only a spiritual but also a defensive function. Prince Daniil of Moscow became famous for his piety, just rule, and mercy toward his subjects. During his thirty years of reign he managed to lay the foundations for the unification of Russian lands around Moscow, becoming the first Moscow prince to receive the title of Grand Prince of All Russia. Before his death in 1303, the prince took monastic vows and bequeathed that he be buried in the simple fraternal cemetery of the monastery, refusing a magnificent burial inside the church.

Period of Oblivion and Revival

In 1330, the son of Prince Daniil, Ivan Kalita, decided to move the monastic brethren to a more protected place—within the Moscow Kremlin. The monks were relocated to the Savior-Transfiguration Cathedral on the Bor, and later transferred to Krutitsky Hill, where they founded the New Savior Monastery. For two centuries the Danilov Monastery remained in desolation—only a dilapidated wooden church and an abandoned cemetery with the grave of the founder remained on its territory. However, rumors of miraculous healings at the grave of the holy prince helped revive interest in the ancient monastery. Numerous testimonies of inexplicable recoveries of the sick who visited the site reached the tsar’s court. In 1560, by order of Ivan the Terrible, the restoration of Danilov Monastery began. The monastery was again populated by monks and gained the status of an independent monastery, freed from subordination to the Kremlin cathedral.

Defensive Role and Military Trials

Over the centuries, Danilov Monastery repeatedly witnessed and participated in the most important military events. In 1591, the monastery walls withstood the onslaught of the troops of the Crimean Khan Kazy-Girey—the decisive actions of the monastery’s defenders helped repel the Tatar raid on Moscow. The Time of Troubles at the beginning of the 17th century brought new trials: in 1606 the rebels led by Ivan Bolotnikov were defeated at the monastery walls, and in 1610 the troops of False Dmitry II set fire to the monastery, although they failed to take it completely. After the devastation, the monastery was rebuilt, and between 1630 and 1640 powerful stone walls about 700 meters long with seven towers were erected around it. These fortifications could rival the Kremlin walls in beauty and grandeur. The 17th-century defensive architecture has survived to this day and is of considerable historical value.

Modern Times and the Flowering of the Monastery

In the 19th century, Danilov Monastery experienced a period of prosperity. In 1838 the majestic Trinity Cathedral, designed by the famous architect Osip Bove in the Empire style, was consecrated. This monumental structure became one of the last works of the great architect and remains the architectural dominant of the monastery complex to this day. Despite the relatively small number of brethren—only seventeen monks lived in the monastery by the beginning of the 20th century—the monastery owned extensive land holdings and considerable real estate in the capital. Various workshops, a library, and a school operated at the monastery.

Soviet Period and Revival

After the 1917 revolution, Danilov Monastery was threatened with closure, but it lasted longer than other capital monasteries—until 1930. Many clergymen expelled from other churches for loyalty to Orthodox traditions found refuge here. They were called “Danilovites,” and many of them were later repressed, exiled, or shot. After the monastery’s closure, its territory was handed over to an NKVD children’s reception and distribution center. The ancient Danilov Cemetery, where the remains of many outstanding cultural figures rested, including the writer Nikolai Gogol, was destroyed. The relics of St. Prince Daniil disappeared—probably taken by believers trying to save the shrine from desecration. A monument to Vladimir Lenin was erected on the territory, and the churches were used as warehouses. A new page in the monastery’s history opened in 1983, when it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church—the first of Moscow’s monasteries in the post-Soviet period. Large-scale restoration began, timed to coincide with the celebration of the millennium of the Baptism of Rus’ in 1988. Restoration work continued for several years, and today the monastery appears to visitors as it existed in the 17th–19th centuries.

Architectural Ensemble of the Monastery Complex

Trinity Cathedral

The Trinity Cathedral is a monumental structure in the style of late Russian classicism, built in 1833–1838 to the design of architect Osip Bove. Construction was financed by Moscow merchants and industrialists Shustov and Kumanin. The church can accommodate up to three thousand worshippers, making it the largest religious building in the monastery. The main altar was consecrated on September 13, 1838, by Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow and Kolomna. At the same time, two side chapels were consecrated: the northern one in honor of the Conception of Righteous Anna and the southern one in honor of St. Alexis, the Man of God. After the monastery was returned to the Church, the altar was reconsecrated on April 27, 1986. The cathedral’s interior is decorated with a 17th-century iconostasis of the Kostroma school, transferred here during restoration. It houses revered miracle-working icons: the “Three-Handed” icon of the Mother of God and the icon of St. John Cassian the Roman. The interior decoration has been restored according to historical drawings and includes frescoes, stucco decorations, and marble decorative elements.

Church of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils

This is the oldest stone building of the monastery, laid in 1555–1560 under Ivan the Terrible. The original church was consecrated on May 18, 1561, by Metropolitan Macarius of Moscow in the presence of the sovereign. Construction took place on the site of a wooden church next to which the remains of Prince Daniil of Moscow rested. By the end of the 17th century, the refectory Intercession Church with a side chapel in honor of the Prophet Daniel was added. In the early 18th century the old church was dismantled, and a new one was built on the vaults of the Intercession Church, which became the lower tier of the renovated building. Thus a unique three-tier church complex was formed. In the early 19th century, two side chapels appeared in the upper church: the northern one in honor of the pious Prince Daniil of Moscow and the southern one in honor of the holy passion-bearers Boris and Gleb. In the third tier above the narthex is the church in honor of St. Daniil the Stylite. The interiors are decorated with frescoes and icons from various periods, creating a unique artistic atmosphere.

Gate Church of Simeon the Stylite

The gate church with bell tower was built in 1732 above the main Holy Gates of the monastery, which serve as the ceremonial entrance to the monastery. The church is a typical example of Russian church architecture of the 18th century. The bell tower reaches a height of 45 meters, making it one of the tallest structures in the monastery complex. In the early 19th century the church was rebuilt and connected to the monastery hospital. After the revolution, the gate church was the first to be closed; a checkpoint was placed in it. In Soviet times the bell tower was completely destroyed; its restoration in the 1980s was carried out according to surviving photographs and drawings. The modern iconostasis consists of twenty icons of the 17th–20th centuries donated to the monastery by the Pskov-Caves Monastery. From the bell tower there is a picturesque panoramic view of the monastery surroundings and the southern part of the capital.

Fortress Walls and Towers

The stone enclosure of the monastery with towers is an outstanding monument of Russian defensive architecture of the 17th century. The walls were erected in the 1630–1640s and had important strategic significance in the system of Moscow’s southern fortifications. Their architecture features characteristic “swallow-tail” merlons reminiscent of the Kremlin walls. In the 19th century the monastery territory was almost doubled—the previous space was completely occupied by burials of the Danilov Cemetery. A new wall was built in the western part, executed in the same style as the old one, with similar turrets and merlons. This solution preserved the architectural integrity of the monastery ensemble. The total length of the walls is about 700 meters. The complex includes seven towers of various configurations, each with its own name and history. The fortress walls were restored in the 1980s and today serve as an expressive frame for the monastery landscape.

Other Structures of the Monastery Complex

Several other significant buildings are located on the monastery territory. The chapel over the well was built in 1988 by architect Alonov for the celebration of the millennium of the Baptism of Rus’. The chapel was erected over the ancient monastery well and is decorated with traditional elements of Russian church architecture. The ossuary chapel serves as a symbolic monument to all those buried in the destroyed Danilov Cemetery. It was built in 1988 according to the design of the same architect Alonov. Memorial bas-reliefs have been installed near the supposed burial places of Nikolai Gogol and philosopher Alexei Khomyakov. The Patriarchal Residence is a modern two-story building constructed in the 1980s according to the design of architect Yuri Rabaev. Despite the modernity of the construction, its façade is decorated with traditional elements—bas-reliefs and a mosaic icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands—which allows the building to blend organically into the historical ensemble.

Monastery Shrines and Relics

Relics of St. Prince Daniil of Moscow

The main shrine of the monastery is particles of the relics of the pious Prince Daniil of Moscow, the founder of the monastery. The incorrupt remains of the saint were discovered in 1652 in the fraternal cemetery where the prince had bequeathed to be buried. After discovery, the relics were placed in a shrine and kept in the monastery’s main church. In 1930, after the monastery was closed, the relics disappeared without a trace. It is believed that believers took them to save them from desecration. However, several particles of the holy relics have been preserved. Some were kept by the last abbot, Archbishop Theodore, and were returned to the monastery after its revival. Other particles were with academician Dmitry Likhachev and then taken to America, from where they were returned in 1995 by Archpriest John Meyendorff. Today particles of the relics of St. Daniil are kept in the Church of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and in the Trinity Cathedral. The saint’s commemoration days are celebrated on March 17 and September 12 (new style).

Miracle-Working Icons

The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is considered the oldest image of the monastery—it was painted specially for the monastery in the 16th century. After the revolution the icon was moved to the chapel at Danilov Cemetery, which saved it from destruction during the years of persecution of the Church. The “Three-Handed” Icon of the Mother of God has been in the monastery since the 18th century. This image is especially revered by believers suffering from hand diseases—people pray before the icon for healing from such ailments. During the monastery’s closure the icon was also kept in the cemetery chapel. The monastery also contains particles of the relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow. When the saint’s remains were transferred from Danilov Cemetery in 1998, they were temporarily placed in the monastery and then moved to the Pokrovsky Convent. Part of the holy relics remained in Danilov Monastery and is kept in the Intercession Church. The monastery also houses a particle of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and an ark with the shoe of St. Spyridon of Trimyphous. These shrines attract many pilgrims seeking spiritual help and consolation.

Monastic Life and Spiritual Activity

Status and Administration

Danilov Monastery has stavropegial status, meaning it is directly subordinate to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, who is the nominal abbot of the monastery. The daily life of the monastery is managed by a vicar with the rank of archimandrite appointed by the Patriarch. The monastery lives according to the cenobitic rule, which involves joint prayer, work, and meals for the entire brotherhood. Such a rule helps form a unified spiritual organism of the monastic community and maintain strict discipline.

Liturgical Practice

Services are held daily in several churches of the monastery. In the Trinity Cathedral solemn all-night vigils and late Divine Liturgies are celebrated on Sundays and feast days. On the patronal feast of the Holy Trinity, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, a particularly solemn service is held. In the Church of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils weekday services and early feast-day liturgies are held. In other monastery churches services are held on their patronal feast days. The schedule of services can be found on the monastery’s official website.

Educational and Social Activity

The monastery runs a Sunday school for children and catechetical courses for adults, teaching Orthodox doctrine, church history, and the basics of Christian morality. The brethren actively engage in charitable work, providing spiritual care to hospitals, children’s institutions, and prisons. Monks teach at theological and secular higher educational institutions, sharing knowledge in theology, church history, and Christian philosophy. The monastery houses the “Danilov Blagovestnik” publishing house, which produces spiritual literature.

Art Workshops and Crafts

The monastery operates art-restoration workshops engaged in restoring icons and church utensils. Icon-painting, carpentry, and sewing workshops function as well. A special place is occupied by the bell center with its own foundry—bells are cast here using traditional technologies. The monastery runs courses for bell-ringers, teaching the ancient art of church ringing. The monastery produces various goods: honey from its own apiary, bakery products, church candles, and utensils. These goods can be purchased at the monastery shop.

Return of the Danilov Bells

One of the most significant events in the modern history of the monastery was the return of its historic bells. In 1930 a unique set of eighteen Danilov bells was sold abroad, saving them from being melted down in Soviet times. The bells were purchased by American industrialist Charles Crane and donated to Harvard University. For 78 years the bells were in the USA, where they were used in the university library tower. In 2008, after lengthy negotiations, the bells were returned to Danilov Monastery. In exchange, an exact set of copies was cast for Harvard in the monastery’s foundry. The return of the bells weighing more than 26 tons in total became an important milestone in restoring the historical appearance of the monastery. The event was accompanied by a large-scale cultural program and drew public attention to the monastery’s history and the fate of church shrines in the Soviet period.

Practical Information for Visitors

Location and Transport Accessibility

Danilov Monastery is located at: Moscow, ulitsa Danilovsky Val, 22, building 4. The monastery is four and a half kilometers south of the Moscow Kremlin, on the right bank of the Moskva River. The monastery grounds are open to visitors daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The nearest metro station is “Tulskaya” on the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya line, about 500 meters from the monastery. The walk from the metro takes 5–7 minutes. Exit from the last car when traveling from the center, then turn back, walk to the tram tracks, and follow right along Bolshaya Tulskaya Street to Danilovsky Val.

Public Transport

From Tulskaya metro station you can reach the monastery by trams No. 3, 35, 38, or 39—one stop to “Danilovsky Monastery.” Trams run every 5–10 minutes throughout the day. You can also get there from Paveltskaya metro station by any tram to the same stop.

By Car

For motorists the monastery is conveniently located near the Third Transport Ring. There is parking for visitors on the territory, but during rush hours traffic jams are possible in this part of the capital. It is recommended to plan your visit taking traffic conditions into account.

Visiting Hours and Recommendations

The monastery is open for free visits during opening hours. Entry to the territory is free. When visiting, observe the rules of behavior in an active Orthodox monastery: women are advised to cover their heads and avoid trousers; men should remove headgear. Photography is permitted, but it is advisable to ask for a blessing from the clergy. It is recommended to check the service schedule on the monastery’s official website before visiting, especially if you plan to attend a service. On patronal feasts and major church celebrations the opening hours may change and the number of visitors increases significantly.

Guided Tours

The monastery has a tour service that conducts organized tours of the grounds. Experienced guides tell about the history of the monastery, its architectural features, shrines, and modern life. Booking is done through the official website or by phone. Individual tours with a professional guide can also be arranged through travel agencies.

Danilov Monastery in the Cultural Life of Moscow

The monastery occupies an important place not only in the spiritual but also in the cultural life of the capital. Before the revolution, Danilov Cemetery was located on the monastery grounds, where many outstanding figures of Russian culture were buried. The grave of the great Russian writer Nikolai Gogol was here from 1852 to 1931; later his remains were reburied at Novodevichy Cemetery. In 1997, a monument to the holy pious Prince Daniil of Moscow by sculptor Vyacheslav Klykov was unveiled and consecrated on Tulskaya Square. The monument has become an important element of the urban environment and a place of veneration of the founder of the ancient monastery. Soon afterwards a chapel in honor of the holy prince was consecrated nearby. An Armenian khachkar—a stone cross symbolizing interfaith ties and friendship between peoples—has been installed on the monastery grounds. This monument emphasizes the monastery’s openness to dialogue between different Christian traditions. The monastery regularly serves as a venue for cultural events: concerts of sacred music, exhibitions of church art, scientific conferences on history, theology, and church archaeology. Meetings with writers, historians, and public figures are held here.

Conclusion

Danilov Monastery is a unique monument of Russian history, spirituality, and architecture. Over more than seven centuries of existence, the monastery has experienced periods of prosperity and desolation, devastation and revival, yet it has managed to preserve its spiritual significance and historical value. Today the monastery is not only an active religious community and the Patriarch’s residence, but also an important cultural center attracting pilgrims, tourists, and researchers. Visiting Danilov Monastery allows one to touch the centuries-old history of Moscow, see outstanding examples of Russian architecture from different eras, venerate Orthodox shrines, and simply enjoy an atmosphere of silence and peace in the heart of the modern metropolis. For full immersion in the history and spiritual life of the monastery, it is recommended to use the services of a guide who will reveal many interesting details and little-known facts from the life of the ancient monastery.