Novodevichy Convent

The Bogoroditse-Smolensky Novodevichy Convent is one of the outstanding monuments of Russian Orthodox culture and architecture. Located in the picturesque bend of the Moskva River on the historic Maiden’s Field, this unique temple complex attracts pilgrims, tourists, and lovers of history from all over the world. The monastery combines spiritual grandeur, architectural perfection, and a rich centuries-old history.

History of the Monastery’s Foundation and Development

Foundation of the Monastery under Vasily III

The Novodevichy Convent was founded on May 13, 1524, by order of Grand Prince Vasily III, the father of Ivan the Terrible. The construction of the convent was timed to an important historical event — the return of Smolensk to the Moscow Principality after a long period of Lithuanian rule. The main cathedral was dedicated to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria,” a copy of which was solemnly presented to the monastery on July 28, 1525. The convent received the name “Novodevichy” (“New Maidens”) in contrast to the already existing Conception Convent and Resurrection Convent of the Kremlin. The first abbess was Elena Devochkina, invited from Suzdal and revered for her holiness.

Period of Prosperity in the 16th–17th Centuries

Under Ivan IV the Terrible, the monastery received special privileges and was exempted from taxes. In the second half of the 16th century, the Ambrosiev Church, the refectory, and the chambers of Irina Godunova were built in stone, though most buildings remained wooden. Tragic pages of history are associated with the raids of the Crimean Tatars: in 1571, Khan Devlet-Girey burned the monastery, and in 1591, the convent already had artillery on its walls, which helped repel the crossing of Kazy-Girey’s troops. At the end of the 16th century, Boris Godunov ascended the throne in the Smolensk Cathedral. His reign became a time of large-scale renewal: a five-tiered iconostasis was installed, new frescoes were painted, and stone buildings were erected. Wooden walls were replaced with massive stone fortifications with 12 towers stretching 870 meters long, 11 meters high, and 3 meters thick.

The Monastery as a Place of Confinement for Noblewomen

Throughout the 16th–17th centuries, the Novodevichy Monastery served as a place of confinement for royal and noble women. Here, both voluntarily and by force, took the veil noblewomen from the Pleshcheyev, Meshchersky, Rostov, Sheremetev, and Miloslavsky families. The monastery’s walls witnessed political intrigues, personal dramas, and unsolved mysteries of high society. In 1689, after being deposed from power, Princess Sophia Alekseyevna was confined here and died in 1704. Later, in 1727, Peter I’s first wife, Yevdokia Lopukhina, was sent to the monastery.

The Era of Princess Sophia and Architectural Flourishing

The monastery’s greatest prosperity came in the second half of the 17th century, when Princess Sophia Alekseyevna made it her country residence. Thanks to her initiative, the architectural appearance in the Naryshkin Baroque style was formed, which has survived to this day. During this period, the bell tower, new churches, and refectories were built, the towers were rebuilt, and the walls were decorated with carved battlements shaped like “swallowtails.” After Peter I came to power, the convent’s position changed dramatically: it was guarded around the clock by Preobrazhensky soldiers, and the nuns lived in isolation. In 1724, an orphanage for girls was opened here, where craftswomen from Brabant taught them how to weave Dutch lace.

The Trials of the War of 1812

During the Patriotic War, the treasury and valuables were taken to Vologda. Napoleon’s soldiers occupied the convent, using it as a food storehouse. The French planned to blow up the Smolensk Cathedral and start a fire, but the remaining sisters managed to extinguish the fuses of the powder barrels, saving the sanctuary. A bitter memory of the war remains in the dozens of graves of Russian and French soldiers on the grounds.

The 20th Century: From Museum to Revival

After the revolution, the convent ceased functioning. In 1922, the museum “Princess Sophia and the Streltsy” was organized, and in 1934, it became a branch of the Historical Museum. At the end of World War II, church services were allowed again in the Assumption and Transfiguration churches. The revival of monastic life began in 1994, on the eve of the Feast of the Intercession, when the first tonsure after a 72-year break took place. Sister Seraphima (Chernaya) became a nun and was soon elevated to the rank of abbess. On the stormy night of June 20–21, 1998, hurricane winds bent the crosses on the domes of the churches and bell tower and damaged the tombstone of Denis Davydov. Restoration took several months with the help of Russian and foreign benefactors.

Architectural Ensemble of the Monastery

General Characteristics of the Complex

The architectural ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent represents an exceptionally well-preserved example of Moscow Baroque, known as the Naryshkin style. In 2004, the complex was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a site of universal value. The monastery’s 16th–18th-century buildings have remained almost unchanged since their creation. On the master plan, the Smolensk Cathedral, bell tower, and refectory are aligned on a single axis and serve as focal elements of the ensemble. The monastery walls with towers appear bright and festive. Picturesque views from across the Novodevichy Pond show the reflections of the walls and buildings in the water.

The Cathedral of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God

The main church of the complex was built after the model of the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin. Historians believe that Aleviz the New and the architect Nestor, who died during construction, took part in its creation. The six-pillar church on a high basement is surrounded by covered galleries. Here Boris Godunov was crowned, and the first rulers of the Romanov dynasty came here on foot for pilgrimages. The five-tiered iconostasis is adorned with 70 ancient icons, and the wall paintings illustrate the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God. The church is open to visitors from early June to mid-September, as it is a summer church and is not heated.

The Bell Tower of the Novodevichy Convent

The monastery’s bell tower, 72 meters high, is the most visible structure of the complex. Construction took place from 1683 to 1689, and it is believed that Sophia wished to build the belfry in imitation of the Kremlin’s Ivan the Great Bell Tower. The five diminishing octagonal tiers, decorated with delicate white carvings and topped with an octagonal drum and onion dome, harmonize beautifully with the other buildings. Its base is surrounded by a white-stone wall with arches. On the lower floor lies the Church of Varlaam and Joasaph, while the second floor houses the double-height Church of John the Theologian. On the second tier, there is a viewing gallery for overlooking the complex. The third and fifth levels contain the bells.

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin with the Refectory

The Assumption Church with its refectory hall and the Church of the Holy Spirit appeared in 1687. The convent required spacious premises for festive banquets and services during the cold seasons. Originally, the five-domed church lost its appearance and surrounding arched gallery. Part of the multi-tiered iconostasis by Karp Zolotaryov has been preserved. The pillarless refectory hall is richly illuminated by sunlight through large windows and is second in beauty only to the refectory of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The iconostasis of the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit was created by masters of the Kremlin Armoury.

The Gate Church of the Intercession

The Intercession Church rises above the three-span southern gate, which was considered the main entrance to the monastery and led to the Smolensk road. The church and the adjoining Mariinsky Chambers were built under Sophia Alekseyevna for her sister Maria Alekseyevna Miloslavskaya. The red-brick quadrangle is adjoined by a vestibule, altar, and refectory. The shrine is crowned by three domes arranged in a row.

The Gate Church of the Transfiguration

The five-domed church over the wide northern gate solemnly welcomes the monastery’s guests. It is believed that the architect Grigory Ustinov took part in its construction. Graceful windows, golden domes, Corinthian columns, and the combination of a red façade with white-stone details lend the building majesty. Inside, the seven-tiered iconostasis by Karp Zolotaryov has been preserved. The neighboring two-story chambers are named after Yevdokia Lopukhina, the first wife of Peter I, who lived here from 1727 to 1731.

The Naprudnaya (Sophia’s) Tower

The corner tower to the right of the entrance is called Sophia’s because the disgraced princess’s cells were adjacent to it. In 1689, after an unsuccessful attempt to retain power, Sophia was confined to the monastery. After the Streltsy revolt in 1698, she was tonsured as a nun and imprisoned in the guardhouse—a semi-underground building with a suite of three rooms. The guardhouse conditions resembled a prison: heavy furniture, harsh living conditions, and constant surveillance. Peter the Great executed the rebel Streltsy in front of her windows. Sophia was never canonized, but people believe in her intercession and leave notes with requests at the tower.

Other Buildings of the Monastery

The single-domed Ambrosiev Church with its refectory and chambers from the late 16th–early 17th centuries reflects the monumental style of its time. The largest residential structure is the Singers’ Chambers, built between 1718 and 1726. Near the Smolensk Cathedral lie the graves of respected individuals—the last to be buried there was General A. A. Brusilov, a hero of World War I.

The Prokhorov Chapel-Mausoleum

The mausoleum of the Prokhorov dynasty stands near the walls of the Smolensk Cathedral. The entrepreneurs and public figures founded the Trekhgornaya Manufactory in 1799. In 1874, Ivan Yakovlevich Prokhorov donated a large sum to the convent, as his sister was a nun there. This exemplary monument of Russian Art Nouveau was built in 1916 by architect V. A. Pokrovsky with contributions from major jewelry firms and workshops.

Holy Relics and Icons of the Novodevichy Convent

The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God

The main relic of the convent is the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria.” The monastery houses a 16th-century copy that is believed to be miraculous. Grand Prince Vasily III prayed before the icon before his campaign to Smolensk and, after the city’s capture, ordered the construction of a church in its honor.

The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God

In the Assumption Church, there is a copy of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God from 1648 — the oldest known Russian copy of this image. The original Iveron Icon is located on Mount Athos. The Moscow copy was received by Patriarch Joseph, and after fervent prayers before it, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich’s daughter was miraculously cured of a severe illness in 1651.

Other Relics

For many years, the convent has preserved Orthodox relics:

• Reliquaries containing relics of various saints
• An image of St. Nicholas with a relic fragment
• Ancient icons from the 15th–17th centuries

The exhibition “Fiery Tongues of Grace” in the Chambers of Irina Godunova displays over 50 icons from the 18th century. In the former guardhouse of the Naprudnaya Tower, about 80 icons dedicated to the Mother of God are exhibited.

The Novodevichy Cemetery

History of the Necropolis

At the end of the 19th century, the monastery cemetery was expanded beyond the convent walls. Near the fenced southern wall, prominent cultural figures, politicians, and military leaders were buried. The remains of N. V. Gogol, A. P. Chekhov, M. N. Yermolova, and I. I. Levitan were reinterred here. In the 1930s, looted graves were reconstructed using photographs, drawings, and eyewitness accounts. Out of 3,000 burials, about 90 were restored. During the Soviet years, the necropolis became the second most significant cemetery after the Kremlin Wall.

Current Condition

The total area of the cemetery is about 8 hectares, with more than 26,000 people buried here. Since 2007, burials have been conducted only in exceptional cases: with official permission, in an open columbarium, or for relatives of those already interred.

Layout of the Necropolis

The necropolis is divided into three sections:

• Old (Sections 1–4) — graves of Nadezhda Alliluyeva, Lyubov Orlova, Oleg Yankovsky, Samuil Marshak, and Vasily Shukshin
• New (Sections 5–8) — created in 1949, with a columbarium for 7,000 urns and graves of Mstislav Rostropovich, Boris Yeltsin, Nikita Khrushchev, Andrei Tupolev, and Lyudmila Zykina
• Newest (Sections 8–11) — from the 1970s, with graves of Lyudmila Gurchenko, Innokenty Smoktunovsky, and Vyacheslav Tikhonov

The monuments on the graves remind visitors who these people were, what they strove for, and what they achieved. Guided tours are available through the grounds.

The Monastery Today

Spiritual Life of the Convent

In 2007, Margarita Feoktistova became the abbess of the monastery. In 2018, the convent housed thirty sisters, including 13 nuns and novices. There are icon-painting and sewing workshops, greenhouses, and a chicken yard. The sisters bake prosphora themselves and work in the kitchen. The monastery also runs a shelter for young mothers in difficult situations. The convent has formed a community of regular parishioners — people of different ages and professions. Parishioners help with daily tasks, sing in the parish choir, and take part in festive events. Every Sunday, talks on the Gospel are held.

Church Services

Services are held daily. The Divine Liturgy begins on weekdays at 7:40 a.m., on Sundays and feast days at 6:20 and 8:40 a.m. Evening service is held daily at 5:00 p.m. On Wednesdays, a water-blessing prayer service is held before the icon “The Inexhaustible Chalice.” Confessions and baptisms are available by appointment.

Museum Activity

The monastery is jointly managed by the Russian Orthodox Church and the State Historical Museum. Since 2010, the Church Museum of the Moscow Diocese has been in operation, with exhibitions located in several rooms. In the basement of the former Streltsy guardhouse near the Naprudnaya Tower, there is an exhibition dedicated to the events of 1812. An exhibition of church utensils is also open. Guided tours are regularly conducted across the grounds. Unique materials about the life of the convent from the 18th century to the 1990s are kept in the Main Archive, including documents on construction, nuns, services, and the monastery school.

Restoration in 2023–2024

A large-scale restoration of the ensemble is dedicated to the monastery’s 500th anniversary. Artisans restored 19th-century frescoes in the Assumption Cathedral, re-gilded the iconostasis damaged by fire, and completed other complex works. Archaeological excavations continue, revealing fragments of earlier buildings.

Interesting Facts and Legends

Historical Facts

In the 16th–17th centuries, the convent was surrounded by a palisade and symbolic moat. Nearby was a settlement exempt from taxes, whose residents served the monastery. Noble nuns lived comfortably: archaeologists found tiled floors and stoves with rare designs in burned-out cells. The ancient street Prechistenka received its name by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in honor of the icon of the Most Pure Virgin, which was carried from the Kremlin to the monastery. In the 17th–early 18th centuries, the convent owned 15,000 serfs, 36 villages, a courtyard in the Kremlin, and a settlement on Prechistenka. During the secularization of 1764, the monastery lost all its property.

Mysteries and Legends

One of the great mysteries is a strange burial near the Southern Gate: a child’s sarcophagus was immured in the wall of the second tier of the Intercession Church. Who buried the child there and why remains unknown. There is a legend about the ghosts of imprisoned noblewomen who sometimes appear near the Novodevichy Pond. The Sophia Tower is linked to tales of miracles: if you make a wish and touch its base, your dream will come true. Most often, people ask for help in love matters. Visitors carve requests and words of gratitude into the tower’s walls.

Visitor Information

Address and Directions

Address: Novodevichy Passage, 1, Building 36, Moscow. Coordinates for navigation: 55.726354, 37.556201. The easiest way to get there is by metro to “Sportivnaya” station on the red line. From the metro, it’s a 10–15-minute walk along 10-letiya Oktyabrya Street to the main entrance. There is parking available in front of the gates.

Opening Hours

Access to the territory: daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Museum hours: from 10:00 to 16:30. Closed: Tuesday. Sanitary day: first Monday of each month.

Admission Fees

Entrance to the monastery grounds is free. Museum tickets:

• Adults — 300 rubles
• Schoolchildren, students, and Russian pensioners — 100 rubles

Novodevichy Cemetery

Address: Luzhnetsky Passage, 2, Building 1 (Sportivnaya metro station). Opening hours:

• May to September — daily from 09:00 to 19:00
• October to April — daily from 09:00 to 17:00

Information phone: +7 (499) 610-00-00. Tickets for guided tours are available for booking.

Conclusion

The Bogoroditse-Smolensky Novodevichy Convent is a unique place where spiritual heritage, historical memory, and architectural perfection form a harmonious whole. The convent continues to live a full monastic life, welcoming pilgrims and tourists, preserving Orthodox relics, and maintaining the traditions of Russian piety. The serene atmosphere, sunlit lawns, shining domes of the churches, and their reflections in the pond’s waters create a picture that calms and inspires every visitor.