Where is the Novodevichy Convent? Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

Magnificent Moscow Novodevichy Monastery address is very memorable: Novodevichy Proezd, 1. A rare visitor did not admire the stunning appearance and calm, pacifying each spirituality of this place. The Novodevichy Moscow monastery attracts lovers of Russian history, architecture, travelers and religious people. Everyone will find something to see in this quiet and humble abode.

Prehistory

But first things first. Why is the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, whose address everyone knows in the capital, is attractive to historians? The fact is that this place is closely connected with the reign of Peter the Great. Although the first buildings were built, perhaps, much earlier, even with Vasily the Third, in the sixteenth century. The first stone where the Novodevichy Convent is located, at the bend of the Moskva River (according to legends, there was a selection of young Russian maidens to be captured in the Golden Horde), was laid back in the year 1952 of the Nativity of Christ.

Historical meaning

It's funny that it was in this Novodevichy Smolensky Monastery that he wished to send his prince, Vasiliy, the founder of this monastery, more unwanted to his wife, Princess Solomonia, the founder of this monastery. Some contemporaries of the Grand Duke even believed that the monastery was erected for this purpose. There is also a more splendid version of what caused the construction of the monastery. The fact that he was rebuilt immediately after the capture of Smolensk, as if in honor of this glorious deed. In addition to the glory of the Smolensk icon of the Virgin "Hodegetria", which inspired military men to this feat.

How many here, in these beautiful walls, have visited the eminent representatives of the Grand-Ducal family! Here many sisters of kings were tonsured in nuns. Ivan Ivan the Fourth sent his relatives to live here, including even the wife of his deceased son. Lived in this territory for a very long time and the next king, only from a different dynasty - Boris Godunov.

Sofya Alekseevna Romanova

And if you remember the Peter's epoch, then Sophia's half-sister Peter (she was a regent for a long time with him and his feeble-minded brother Ivan during the Dual Power) was imprisoned in one of the towers of this particular convent after her treacherous attempt to usurp power. By the way, at the behest of Peter himself. It's good that they did not execute as archers, with whose hands she tried to make a coup. The heads of those poor people were ordered to place on the teeth of the monastery towers, and supporters of Sophia and her closest associates to be executed. Yes, so that she herself from the windows of her cell all saw it. That nepovadno more to her, or anyone else to rebel against the king was.

And in this monastery the first wife of Peter and the former tsarina Evdokia Lopukhina served as a simple nun. She was unsuitable at court, and Peter married for the second time on Marta Skavronska (she was at the baptism of Catherine).

Much else you can tell interesting from the history of this place, but let me tell you about the architectural features. They are also very entertaining.

Architectural refinements

The whole monastery resembles an ancient impregnable fortification. Boilits, high towers, Moscow River, which, like a moat, washes the impenetrable walls of this stronghold. And with all this the monastery is extremely graceful. His refined buildings were executed mainly in the style of the Moscow Baroque. It is the richest and most elegant style of the seventeenth century. It was at this time that most of the buildings of the complex were built.

The place where the Novodevichy Convent is located is called the Maiden Field. And the monastery is visible on it from afar. Its bright white-scarlet walls and golden bell-towers greet travelers with cordiality and tranquility.

Church of the Transfiguration

One of the most unusual and beautiful buildings is the church, which literally soars above the main entrance - it is the temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The abundance of snow-white stucco on a bright background truly fascinates. Columns in the classical style, unusual platbands, forms of light drums. Before the parishioners is not a simple cross-domed church, but a real ode to architectural thought. How similar it is to the construction of the Sunday Novodevichy Convent in St. Petersburg!

Smolensky Cathedral

The central Smolensk Cathedral looks much simpler. It is very similar to the Archangel or Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. It was rebuilt in the year fifteen and twenty-fifth year, and it preserves the spirit of the century-old history of Russia of those times. White walls, silver and gold dome - there is nothing superfluous in the external structure of the building. Laconic and regular forms of the temple, built on the ancient Byzantine style. But the interior decoration strikes the imagination: a five-tiered iconostasis, covered with gilding, which was made by the master of the Armory, many masterpieces of Russian icon painting, donated by the Grand Dukes, are also kept here. But most of all in this temple seek the Orthodox because of the miraculous icon of the Smolensk Mother of God.

Belfry of the Novodevichy Convent

A little further from this building stands the most beautiful bell tower of all that was ever created in Russia. It's as if it's covered with the finest and lightest white lace. Here it is, baroque in all its glory. At the base of each tier of this tower lies an octagon, it is crowned with a golden dome, but it is remarkable in it, not even this, but its ringing, it is heard all over the district and remains in the memory of everyone who hears it for a long time. The oldest bell in it is the one that was created under Ivan Vasilievich Rurikovich. It still sounds from this bell tower to this day. Already because of it alone is worth visiting the Novodevichy Convent. How to get to it - will be described in detail below.

Assumption Cathedral

The excursion program also includes the Assumption Cathedral. It is made in one architectural style and color with a bell tower. A single-domed little temple, but beautiful, like a palace. Red walls, unusual geometry, magnificent stucco on the walls and the splendor of interior decoration. This is what characterizes this temple.

Those who decided to visit the tour of this holy place will be interested to know that on the territory of the monastery complex there is also the Ambrose Church, a school where, during the reign of Peter the Great, orphans were taught to weave laces according to Dutch technologies, a hospital for veterans, a nursing home and absolutely Different in their wealth and historical significance of the Chamber. After all, here lived, as it was said above, Evdokia Lopukhina, Evdokia Miloslavskaya, Irina Godunova with her brother, etc.

The Tower of Naples

The last interesting place, but not least, is the tower of the Novodevichy Convent. A carved, magnificent and bright building with a very obvious meaning: a guard for the streltsy. It is almost as high as the bell tower of the Novodevichy Convent. In it were also the chamber of the princess Sophia. There is even a legend that if you touch the walls of this tower and make a cherished wish, then it will necessarily be fulfilled. It's hard to say for sure, since when this belief was led and with what exactly it is connected, but so it's started. Many even write their desires on the plaster coating of this tower, but it's better not to do it, vandalism after all.

In the territory where the Novodevichy Convent is located, there is also a whole complex of burials of famous and great people. You can personally see the grave of the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812 - Denis Davydov, General Brusilov, the Decembrist Muravyov-Apostol. And, of course, on the territory of the monastery there are burials and royal persons.

For believing people, the fact that the temples of the monastery are still in effect is still important, there are still services to this day (although the worship service in the Novodevichy Convent every day only in the Assumption Church, the Smolensk Cathedral is functioning all summer), and there are daily flocking Parishioners. Behind the monastery is a very beautiful and picturesque park. It is located on the shore of the pond with the same name as the monastery. It is in this place that the most picturesque views of the whole complex are opened. In this park you can enjoy and very original sculptural groups.

From all of the above, it becomes quite obvious that spending a day at the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow is very interesting and useful. To see and learn a lot of new things, to enjoy unique monuments of art, to visit nature and to feel the immeasurable tranquility and grace that this monastery is full of is really worth a lot. The monastery is very reminiscent of, and perhaps in some ways, superior to St. Petersburg Novodevichy Convent. If you have a question about where to spend the next weekend, then consider this option in the first place, you will not have to regret obviously.

And where is the Novodevichy Convent?

Location and time of work

Fortunately, Novodevichy Convent in Moscow address is very simple. How do I get to this complex? The easiest and most economical way to do it is by metro. Leave at the station "Sportivnaya", go from it will have only ten minutes. We have already noted what Novodevichy monastery has its address, but let us recall: Novodevichy Proezd, 1.

The complex is open from 9am to 5pm. Museums open from ten in the morning, on Tuesday they are closed, as on the first Monday of the month.

Entrance to the complex is free, museums prices vary. A standard ticket for an adult costs one hundred and fifty rubles, for schoolchildren, students and pensioners the price is sixty rubles.

Of course, you can also wander among these magnificent historical buildings. But it's better to consult competent guides. On the territory of the monastery a number of very interesting and informative excursion programs are conducted, where you can see and experience all of the above. The Novodevichy Convent, excursions through the territory of which will be useful both for adults and children, is an amazing place that awaits its visitors every day to reveal their secrets to them.