One of the most picturesque places in Moscow -Novodevichy Convent and its surroundings. Founded in the sixteenth century, it not only became an amazing architectural monument, but also reflected the history of the Soviet era. Outstanding cultural politicians rest in a cemetery located near the southern wall of the Novodevichy Monastery (Moscow). "How to get to this attraction?" - in Soviet times, when atheism prevailed over religiosity, every Muscovite or a regular guest of the capital knew the answer to this question.
Basil III's Vow
Before answering the question of howTo get to the Novodevichy Convent, you should, of course, tell about this architectural ensemble, which keeps a lot of tragic and joyful events.
Legend has it that Basil III, finallyexhausted after many futile attempts to conquer Smolensk, one day he made a vow near the walls of this wonderful city to build a convent in Moscow in case of victory. His dream came true in July 1514. Prince Vasily took Smolensk, and ten years later construction began on the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow.
How to get to the convent established by the winnerLithuanian troops? It is located from the Kremlin three versts. Place for the monastery was not chosen by chance. The prince ordered to build it on the bend of the Moscow River, on the Devichye field. By the way, Vasily spent about three thousand rubles in silver for his project, a dozen palace villages and several huge land areas.
How to get to the Novodevichy Convent inMoscow, in the 16-17 century, some noble people did not want to know. So, the father of Ivan the Terrible was married more than once. Solomonia Saburova could not give birth to his son for twenty years. Prince Vasily was angry and sent her to the Novodevichy Convent. There is an opinion that he planned to do this at the initial stage of the construction of the monastery. At that time, such an act was unprecedented. But later the example of Basil was followed by other noble grandees, seeking to get rid of an uncomfortable wife, daughter-in-law, niece or even daughter.
Under Ivan the Terrible
Before you reach the famous monastery,should look at the map of Moscow. Novodevichy Convent is located in one of the most prestigious areas of the capital. It is located in the southwest of the city, a kilometer away is the Luzhniki Stadium. Not far from the monastery there is a well-maintained and a square with weeping willows, a pond in which ducks splash in the summertime. Parks and well-maintained reservoirs in the XVI century were not on the map of Moscow. Novodevichy Convent was surrounded by wasteland.
Under Ivan the Terrible, some of the inhabitants of the monasteryled a way of life is not ascetic. Here took monastic tonsure Paletskaya. Do not assume that the noble person abandoned all worldly things. Juliana Paletskaya lived in special cells, owned a huge cellar, contained a whole staff of courtiers. In 1582, the widowed Elena Sheremetyeva moved here. In the Time of Troubles, the monastery became a refuge for the royal persons, caught in disgrace.
Architectural features
In the center of the ensemble - Smolensk Cathedral, decoratedfresco painting. In 1690 a bell tower was erected in the Novodevichy Convent. In Moscow, then she became the most outstanding. The bell tower is an alternation of "deaf" and openwork tiers, has a height of 72 meters. On the territory of the Novodevichy Monastery there are also the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the refectory, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, the Lopukha chambers and about ten more historical monuments. In order to inspect them all, it will take more than one day.
Bell tower
This famous monument of architecture is built in1690 The bell tower consists of five tiers and is an octahedron, set on each other. In 1998, in Moscow, there was a terrible hurricane, which laid the cross on the bell tower. After 17 years, a fire broke out here, which managed to be put out after ten hours. The historical monument, which is an important component of the architectural ensemble of the monastery, was, of course, restored. It should be said that the Moscow monastery itself is included in the cultural heritage of UNESCO.
Novodevichy cemetery
In the 16th century, one of the walls of the monastery emergedsmall churchyard The young daughter of Ivan the Terrible and other representatives of the royal family were buried here. In the 19th century, the graves of musicians, poets, and writers began to appear here.
Visiting the Novodevichy Convent, tourists will certainlycome to the cemetery. Writers Nikolai Gogol and Mikhail Bulgakov are buried here. Over the last century, the most famous people who lived in Moscow, found their last refuge either at Vagankovsky or at the Novodevichy cemetery. At the last, in the “New” territory, they buried mainly officials, government officials, recognized people of art. At the end of the Central Alley there is a huge marble monument depicting the Flag of the Russian Federation. This is the grave of the first president of Russia - Boris Yeltsin. Pyotr Konchalovsky, Yuri Nikulin, Sergey Eisenstein and many other celebrities are buried here.
How to get to the Novodevichy Convent (Moscow)?On the subway you need to get to the station "Sport", go in the direction of the stadium "Luzhniki". Next, go through the street of the 10th anniversary of October. Already after 5 minutes, the gaze of the Novodevichy Monastery will open. The territory of the monastery is open to visitors from 9:00 to 17.00.
