New Maidens' Convent (Novodevichy Monastery) is one of the most famous and beautiful
monasteries in Russia. It is known for the fact that many ladies from the royal family became
nuns in the convent, some by force and some unsolicitedly.
It is located on the curve of the Moskva-river at the end
of Prechistinka Street. The monastery was founded by the tzar Vasily III
in 1524 in honour of the to commemorate the retrieval of the town of
Smolensk. In 1812 when the French army was leaving Moscow, Napoleon ordered
to blow up the convent, but according to the legend one of the nuns
managed to pour the water on the fuses and saved the monastery.
New Maidens' Convent was closed in 1922 and the territory of the monastery was turned into
the Museum of Women'a Emancipation. Later in 1926 it became
the museum of art and history and since 1934 it had been a part of the State
Historical Museum. Most of the buildings were transformed into apartments
and this fact saved many structures from destruction.
In 1943 Joseph Stalin sactioned the opening of so called Theological
courses in the convent and one year later the Moscow
Theological Institute was opened inside of the monastery.
In 1994 New Maidens' Convent was returned to the church, though some buildings are still the property of the State Historical Museum.
The services were
revived in 1995. The convent is also famous for its cemetery, which is located near its southern wall,
where many Russian celebrities and politicians
are buried. In 2004 the monastery was added to the UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Opening hours:
From 10:00 till 17:30. The ticket office closes at 16:45..
Closed: on Tuesday, and on first Monday of each month.
Timetable is subject to change without prior notice.
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