Novodevichy Convent and Cemetery is one of the more interesting places we visited in Moscow. Historically, it has close ties to the Kremlin. Built in the 16th and 17th centuries, it is interwoven in Russia’s political, cultural, and religious history. Novodevichy is Russia’s only convent that served as both an ancient nunnery and a fortress. Today it is a working religious institution and tourist destination. Its New Cemetery is considered one of the most prestigious in the city.
It was the women who came here to “take the veil” that fascinated us the most. From the 16th-18th centuries, women from the tsarist dynasty, as well as other wealthy and nobility families, were sent here to “retire” and for their protection, many against their will.
Novodevichy features eight cathedrals and six residential or service buildings. The Novodevichy ensemble is a UNESCO world heritage site since 2004.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Smolensk is the oldest building in the compound (1524-25), although the onion domes were added a century later. Moscow’s Cathedral of the Assumption was the inspiration for the stone cathedral.
Gate-Church of the Transfiguration.
Another example Moscow-Baroque architecture.
The octagonal bell tower was built 1689-90. It was being restored in 2015 when it caught fire. It appears that only the scaffolding updated and the beautiful tower left unharmed.
A seventeen-century sundial on the wall still tells us the time.
Another view of the Refectory.
In total, there are eleven towers along the wall surrounding the fortress. The four in the corners are round.
Interior of one of the buildings.
Angel statue in the cemetery.
Tombs in the old cemetery.
Practical Information:
- Located on the south-western side of the city, Novodevichy Convent is accessible via the Moscow Metro.
- Dress respectfully if you are planning to enter any of the churches, women should have head and shoulders covered, while men should wear long pants.
- Hours vary and can change on any given day. The museum is generally open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm, and the grounds from 7 am to 7 pm. However, it is best to check before you go.
- There’s an interesting historical article on Moscow.Info.
- We planned our own days in Moscow and found Lonely Planet Moscow City Guide to be very helpful. If you prefer a tour, we have been impressed with Viator in other cities, and they offer several tours in Moscow.
- We stayed at the Moscow Marriot, and they provided us with the sponsorship paperwork we need for our Russian tourist visa. Most of the better hotels will do this. Check prices and availability at Booking.com.
Have you been to the Novodevichy Convent?
If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media, including Pinterest:
Here's the secret to packing light:
Download our free packing light checklist when you sign up for our newsletter.
So beautiful =D I have to visit Moscow =) Thanks for this post 😉
It is an interesting city. Quite a bit of contrast between the beautiful and the plain.
Lovely shots, Rhonda. Brings back happy memories of our visit there.
Thanks for sharing in the Travel Tuesday meme. I hope to see more of your photos this week.
Moscow is amazing. Glad you enjoyed it too.
I am so very jealous you were able to visit Moscow. It is on my dream bucket list. The colors there are just mouth dropping beautiful, and then throw in the architecture. WOW!
This convent is really neat. I have never seen pictures of it before so I feel like I have been on a little trip today.
Lisa @ LTTL
It was on my dream bucket list also. And it lived up to my expectations in many ways, and let us down in others.
I’ve never been, amazing pictures. I would love to visit 🙂
I hope you get to Claire.
How totally stunning is Novodevichy Convent. You captured the colours so beautifully
Thanks Paula.
Fantastic architecture!
I agree. I love the Russian architecture.
You sure get around! I went to these Russia about 15 years ago. Went to Smolensk and Moscow. Saw some of these buildings.
http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2016/09/camping-at-lake.html
I don’t get around quite as fast as it appears, I am just updating the blog with several sets of photos that never made it in.
Wow! Those are really beautiful buildings!
I think so too.
Your photos are beautiful! I bet you had a wonderful time there.
Moscow was interesting.
Russia, I think, has the most beautiful architecture. Your photos are beautiful. Thanks for including information along with images.
Thanks. I didn’t used to include as much history, but the feedback so far has been really positive.
The architecture is really unique . Lovely pictures
I love the Russian architecture, especially the onion domes.
Hi Rhonda – fantastic photos and place … I’d never heard of it before … but then I haven’t visited Moscow … it’s on my list if I go! Cheers Hilary
I loved Moscow, but I don’t think I will go back to Russia.
Such stunning architecture, I would love to visit and see them myself some day.
I hope you get to Russia. Your photography skills and the Russian architecture will be a spectacular combination.
Wow so pretty! I have a student from Russia. She to has shown me pictures. Everything looks so neat!
The photos are beautiful, aren’t they. Russia is such a lovely country.
Marvelous structures to see. I have to get there.
Their architecture is simply different.
The most difficult part is getting the Visa. I would recommend going to everywhere you might ever want to visit in Russia in one trip so you don’t need a second visa.
Awesome architecture! The first photo makes me want to watch Aladdin.
LOL. I don’t think I thought of Aladdin once when I was in Moscow.
Cool photos.
Thanks Joyce.
Fabulous photos! It’s weird to think about a nunnery also being a fortress, since soldiers to man it wouldn’t be allowed in a convent. Amazing to think one of those buildings was built in the 1500s. Thanks!
It had ties to the Kremlin as well as the military.
Wow, and some great shots too. You’re an amazing photographer.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Thanks Sandee 🙂
We’ve been there and it was one of my highlights from Moscow!
It’s a definite highlight for us too.
What an amazing place to visit! Cheers, kid can doodle
The architecture is amazing! Would love to visit.
I hope you get to visit there someday.
What an amazing place!
I’ve never seen anything like the sundial they have there, have you?
The Auckland Zoo has a large sundial, but it is on the ground.
These are stunning love the architecture the interior one is my fave 🙂
Have a tanfastic day Rhonda 🙂
I wish I had spent more time exploring some of the interiors.
Popping by early this week Rhonda – great pics – you always travel to such amazing places! 🙂
Thanks Joy.
Love your imagery of the place, it truly is an impressive place. I’ve been to Russian a few times and architecture never fails to impress everywhere you go(especially in St. Petersburg!). Did you see Moscow’s metro stations that look like opulent galleries? xoxo, nano | http://www.travelwithnanob.com
I can’t believe we didn’t go to St. Petersburg. The visa was so expensive and such a pain to get I can’t imagine we will ever go back to Russia again.
Oh wow- you went there? Amazing . never been, but it looks great – the buildings are pretty majestetic:-)
Oh wow was how I felt just about everywhere we went in Moscow.
What stunning architecture!
Amazing that they made it like this so long ago.
What beautiful architecture!
I think so too. I love Moscow.
Wow – so gorgeous!
Thanks Fi.
Wow, how beautiful your photos are. I only see landscapes and photos there from blogs, will not be able to go there at all. So thank you so much for the tour.
You never know, maybe one day you will get to Russia.
What stunning architecture. Especially love the leafy view in the first photo.
Thanks Gemma. That is one of my favourite photos too.
Their churches and towers are amazing.
I love the old Russian architecture.