This convent (currently operating) was established in 1524, and is one of Moscow’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is considered to be the best-preserved of Moscow’s monasteries.
In the 16th-18th centuries many women from the Royal and aristocratic families chose to live in this convent, or, in some cases, were forced to do so for political reasons. These included two women closely connected to Peter the Great: his first wife Evdokia Lopukhina, and his older half-sister Tsarevna Sofia, the regent of Russia during Peter’s youth.
We invite you to explore this jewel of Moscow Baroque architecture and learn about the history of this unique ensemble. You will also visit the famous and beautiful Novodevichy cemetery next door, and learn about many of the famous people buried there.
- You will explore the territory of Novodevichy Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its impressive bell tower, its gold domes, and high white walls, it is sometimes described as the ‘Kremlin in miniature’. You will learn about its foundation and history, and about some of the famous women who lived here.
- You will see inside one of the complex’s most interesting buildings, the Uspensky Church, with its famous old wooden iconostasis.
- You will also visit Novodevichy Cemetery, the resting place of many famous Russians from the 19th and 20th centuries. Here you will find the graves of famous tsarist-era figures, including the writers Nikolai Gogol and Anton Chekhov, but perhaps the real fascination here is the long list of Soviet luminaries who are buried here. As you walk along the peaceful wooded alleys of the cemetery you will come across many familiar names: beloved writers, actors and musicians, revolutionaries, statesmen and generals, some with simple headstones and others with elaborate and often strikingly beautiful monuments.
Leave the modern metropolis behind you and enjoy a fascinating excursion through Russian history as you discover this special part of Moscow!
The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person
$114 group of 1 per |
$61 group of 2 per |
$43 group of 3 per |
$34 group of 4 per |
$33 group of 5 per |
$29 group of 6 per |
$26 group of 7 per |
$23 group of 8 per |
$22 group of 9 per |
$23 group of 10 per |
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Meeting point
Entrance to 'Sportivnaya' metro station -
Overview of the Novodevichy Convent from the outside
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Uspenskaya Church
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Pokrovskaya Church
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Bell Tower
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Hospital of the Novodevichy convent
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Novodevichye Cemetery
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The resting places of famous compatriots
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End of the tour