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Cities / Moscow / Cathedrals / Novodevichy (New maiden) Convent

Novodevichy (New maiden) Convent

The convent was founded in 1524 to mark the reunion of Smolensk with Moscow. It used to be a mighty fortress, built in the South of Moscow on the road leading from Smolensk. The convent was surrounded with brick walls with 21 towers.

In the 16th-17th centuries women from noble families took the veil; Princess Sophia, Peter's sister, spend part of her life here. The Smolensk Cathedral was the main church of the convent. The cathedral was built in 1524 - 25 by the architect Aleviz Fryazin. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Smolensk which was an icon of the Virgin Mary brought to Smolensk from Greece.

Today the icon can be seen in the Tretyakov Gallery. The brick walls of the cathedral are set off by the architectural details in white stone. The interior of the cathedral is covered in 16th century murals.The old cemetery within the convent wall is the burial place of eminent artists, scientists, political and public leaders. The writers Gogol, Chekhov, composers Scriabin and Prokofiev, film director Eisenstein, Nikita Khruschev are buried here.

Last update: 01.01.1970