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.










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.
Note: Based on world conditions, we advise checking official channels including cancellation policies prior to booking. Also, with often reduced capacity, booking ahead becomes more important.
Have you been to the Novodevichy Convent?
If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media, including Pinterest:
Emiérre
So beautiful =D I have to visit Moscow =) Thanks for this post 😉
Rhonda Albom
It is an interesting city. Quite a bit of contrast between the beautiful and the plain.
Travel Tuesday
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.
Rhonda Albom
Moscow is amazing. Glad you enjoyed it too.
Lisa
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
Rhonda Albom
It was on my dream bucket list also. And it lived up to my expectations in many ways, and let us down in others.
Clairejustine
I’ve never been, amazing pictures. I would love to visit 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get to Claire.
Paula McInerney
How totally stunning is Novodevichy Convent. You captured the colours so beautifully
Villroses hage
Fantastic architecture!
Rhonda Albom
I agree. I love the Russian architecture.
kelleyn rothaermel
You sure get around! I went to these Russia about 15 years ago. Went to Smolensk and Moscow. Saw some of these buildings.
Rhonda Albom
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.
Jill
Wow! Those are really beautiful buildings!
Rhonda Albom
I think so too.
Cascia Talbert
Your photos are beautiful! I bet you had a wonderful time there.
Rhonda Albom
Moscow was interesting.
JM Illinois U.S.A.
Russia, I think, has the most beautiful architecture. Your photos are beautiful. Thanks for including information along with images.
Dominique Goh
The architecture is really unique . Lovely pictures
Rhonda Albom
I love the Russian architecture, especially the onion domes.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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
Rhonda Albom
I loved Moscow, but I don’t think I will go back to Russia.
noel
Such stunning architecture, I would love to visit and see them myself some day.
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get to Russia. Your photography skills and the Russian architecture will be a spectacular combination.
Alissa Apel
Wow so pretty! I have a student from Russia. She to has shown me pictures. Everything looks so neat!
Rhonda Albom
The photos are beautiful, aren’t they. Russia is such a lovely country.
Indrani
Marvelous structures to see. I have to get there.
Their architecture is simply different.
Rhonda Albom
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.
Kristin Aquariann
Awesome architecture! The first photo makes me want to watch Aladdin.
Rhonda Albom
LOL. I don’t think I thought of Aladdin once when I was in Moscow.
Lexa Cain
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!
Rhonda Albom
It had ties to the Kremlin as well as the military.
Comedy Plus
Wow, and some great shots too. You’re an amazing photographer.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Jackie
We’ve been there and it was one of my highlights from Moscow!
Rhonda Albom
It’s a definite highlight for us too.
Rhonda Albom
The Auckland Zoo has a large sundial, but it is on the ground.
kid can doodle
What an amazing place to visit! Cheers, kid can doodle
Carol
The architecture is amazing! Would love to visit.
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get to visit there someday.
stevebethere
These are stunning love the architecture the interior one is my fave 🙂
Have a tanfastic day Rhonda 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I wish I had spent more time exploring some of the interiors.
Create With Joy
Popping by early this week Rhonda – great pics – you always travel to such amazing places! 🙂
Nano
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
Rhonda Albom
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.
Eli
Oh wow- you went there? Amazing . never been, but it looks great – the buildings are pretty majestetic:-)
Rhonda Albom
Oh wow was how I felt just about everywhere we went in Moscow.
Photo(Geo)grapher
What stunning architecture!
Rhonda Albom
Amazing that they made it like this so long ago.
Elizabeth Stewart
What beautiful architecture!
Rhonda Albom
I think so too. I love Moscow.
ladyfi
Wow – so gorgeous!
Andrea
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.
Rhonda Albom
You never know, maybe one day you will get to Russia.
Gemma Wiseman
What stunning architecture. Especially love the leafy view in the first photo.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Their churches and towers are amazing.
Rhonda Albom
I love the old Russian architecture.