Novodevichy Convent Moscow is a fortified women’s monastery founded in 1524, standing in a bend of the Moskva River southwest of the center. Novodevichy Convent Moscow tickets are needed only for the exhibitions and the Smolensk Cathedral; the grounds are free, and the famous cemetery is a separate site beside it.
It is still a working convent, so visitors share the grounds with nuns and worshippers, and services can close some buildings. The white walls, red towers and a six-tier baroque bell tower make it one of Moscow’s most photogenic complexes, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Новодевичий монастырь |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1524 |
| Architect(s) | Aloisio da Milano (traditionally credited for the Smolensk Cathedral; attribution uncertain) |
| Address | Novodevichy Passage 1, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Khamovniki |
| Metro | Sportivnaya (Line 1 (Sokolnicheskaya, red), about 10–12 min walk) Frunzenskaya (Line 1 (Sokolnicheskaya, red), about 15 min walk) |
| Opening hours | The convent grounds are open daily, roughly from morning to early evening, and the museum buildings are open on a shorter schedule. Sources differ: one lists Wednesday to Sunday 10:00–17:20, another daily except Tuesday and the first Monday of the month.
Services can close buildings at short notice, and the Smolensk Cathedral may be closed for part of the year. The cemetery has its own hours, which are longer in summer (as of October 2026 – check the convent's official page). |
| Admission | The convent grounds are free to enter. The exhibitions and Smolensk Cathedral need a ticket, which was budget-priced (₽) in older sources, and a photo surcharge was reported. The cemetery is a separate site, reported free. |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings are the quietest. At weekends around midday, the grounds are crowded with tour groups.
Spring and autumn are pleasant for the pond and the cemetery, and winter snow gives the white walls a striking look. Some buildings, including the cathedral, may be closed at times, so check before you plan around them. |
| Recommended duration | 1.5–2 hours for the convent; 3–4 hours with the cemetery |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Novodevichy Convent Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Convent grounds, walls and exterior of the bell tower | Included in the standard ticket | Free to walk through during opening hours. |
| Smolensky Cathedral interior | Separate ticket or institution | Needs the museum ticket and may close for services or seasonally. |
| Exhibitions in the convent buildings | Separate ticket or institution | Covered by the museum ticket, with their own hours. |
| Convent necropolis | Included in the standard ticket | Graves around the cathedral, visible from the grounds. |
| Novodevichy Cemetery | Separate ticket or institution | A separate site beyond the south wall with its own entrance and hours; reported free, but check for any fee for foreigners. |
| Novodevichy Ponds | Outside / not part of it | A free public area outside the walls with views of the bell tower. |
| Moscow Kremlin | Outside / not part of it | A different fortified complex in the center with its own tickets. |
Why Visit Novodevichy Convent Moscow?
Novodevichy is one of the best-preserved ensembles of old Moscow, a fortified convent with twelve towers, a 16th-century cathedral and a bell tower that is among the tallest in the city.
It also tells a particular story: for centuries it was a convent for women of royal and noble families, and some of them were sent here against their will. Smolensky Cathedral has frescoes and a carved iconostasis made by Armoury craftsmen.
The Novodevichy Cemetery next door is the resting place of many well-known Russians, so the two sites combine into a half-day visit. It is also calmer than the central sights.
How Novodevichy Convent Moscow Is Laid Out
The convent is a walled enclosure on a bend of the Moskva River, with towers at the corners and along the walls. The entrance is through the gate on Novodevichy Passage, and the grounds inside are free to enter.
The Smolensky Cathedral stands in the middle, with a five-domed shape that echoes the Kremlin‘s Dormition Cathedral. The bell tower rises nearby, and the convent’s necropolis, with graves of women of ruling families, lies around the cathedral.
Other buildings in the grounds hold exhibitions. The Novodevichy Cemetery lies beyond the south wall and has its own entrance. Access from the convent has been closed at times, so plan to reach it from the outside.
A sensible order is to walk through the gate, see the cathedral and bell tower, look at the exhibitions if you have a ticket, then leave and walk around to the cemetery entrance.
Highlights of Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Smolensky Cathedral
The oldest and main church, built in 1524–25 on the model of the Kremlin's Dormition Cathedral. It has a five-domed shape on massive pillars. Tradition credits it to the Italian architect Aloisio da Milano, though the attribution is uncertain.
Inside are 16th-century frescoes and a carved five-tier iconostasis with work by Armoury craftsmen. The interior is a museum that needs a ticket, and it may be closed during services.
Tip: Check whether the cathedral is open on the day, since closures are common.
The bell tower
Built in 1689–90 on the order of Tsarevna Sophia, the six-tier tower is in the elaborate Naryshkin Baroque style, rising to about 72 meters. It is topped by a golden dome and holds two churches inside.
It is the most visible building in the complex and one of the tallest bell towers in Moscow, after the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the Kremlin.
Tip: Look at it from the pond side outside the walls for the best view of its full height.
Walls and towers
The convent was built as a fortress, with white walls and twelve towers, and was part of the defensive ring around the south of Moscow. The thick walls still give the complex a closed, inward look.
You can walk along much of the outside, and the towers are a good way to see the scale of the fortification.
Tip: Walk around the outside of the walls first for a sense of the whole complex.
The convent necropolis
Around the Smolensky Cathedral lie graves of women of the tsarist and ruling families, who were buried here for centuries. The stones and small chapels give the grounds a quiet, memorial atmosphere.
It is free to walk among them within the grounds, though names are mostly in Russian.
Tip: Look for the older graves close to the cathedral walls.
The exhibitions
Other buildings in the convent show Russian painting, woodwork, ceramics, textiles and embroidery, and a collection of illuminated books decorated with gold and silver.
They need the museum ticket and keep their own hours, which may be shorter than the grounds.
Tip: Choose one or two of the buildings rather than trying to see them all.
Novodevichy Cemetery
A separate site beyond the south wall, with more than 27,000 tombs. It is the resting place of many well-known figures, including Boris Yeltsin, the writer Nikolai Gogol and the cosmonaut Pavel Belyaev.
It has its own entrance and hours, and it is reported free for visitors, though one older source mentions a fee for foreigners.
Tip: Pick up a cemetery map at the entrance kiosk; without it, finding particular graves is hard.
Atmosphere
The convent is calm and a little austere. White walls and red-capped towers stand against the sky, and gravel paths lead between old trees and low buildings.
Inside, the sound is quiet: footsteps, the occasional bell, nuns in dark habits crossing the grounds. During a service, chanting can be heard from the cathedral.
Mornings are the quietest. At weekends around the middle of the day, the grounds fill with tour groups. Outside the walls, the pond reflects the bell tower, and the light is best in the late afternoon.
History of Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Vasili III, the Grand Prince of Moscow, founded the convent on 13 May 1524 to commemorate the capture of Smolensk from Lithuania in 1514. It was dedicated to the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God, the Hodegetria, which was the main shrine of that city.
The Smolensky Cathedral was built in 1524–25 on the model of the Kremlin’s Dormition Cathedral. The convent was designed as a fortress as well as a religious community, and it became part of the ring of fortified monasteries around the south of Moscow.
Donations from noble families who sent their daughters and widows to the convent made it rich. It also served as a place where women of royal families were confined, and Boris Godunov is said to have been proclaimed tsar here in 1598.
In 1689–90 the bell tower was built on the order of Tsarevna Sophia, in the Naryshkin Baroque style. Sophia herself was later confined in the convent after losing power to her half-brother Peter the Great.
After the revolution of 1917 the convent was closed, and in 1926 it opened as a state museum. It resumed its religious life in 1994, and services have been held in the Smolensky Cathedral on saints’ days since 1995.
In 2004 the convent was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque. The Novodevichy Cemetery beside it became one of the most important burial places in Russia.
Today the convent is both a working monastery and a museum, with a fortified complex of white walls and towers that has changed little in its outline.
Legends and Myths about Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Swan Lake and the pond
Legend – historically unreliable. A popular story says that Tchaikovsky was inspired to write Swan Lake by watching swans on the pond near the convent.
There is no reliable evidence for this, though the Novodevichy Ponds are often linked to the ballet in guidebooks and local tradition.
Boris Godunov's reluctant acceptance
Disputed by historians. Tradition says that Boris Godunov withdrew to the convent and refused the crown until crowds and church leaders begged him to accept it in 1598.
Historians see this as a staged display of reluctance, and how far it reflects real events is disputed.
Tickets and Booking for Novodevichy Convent Moscow
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Exhibitions and Smolensky Cathedral | Budget (₽) | Museum buildings and the cathedral interior; the price comes from older sources, so check the current figure. |
| Novodevichy Cemetery | Reported free | A separate site with its own entrance; one older source reports a fee for foreign visitors, so confirm on arrival. |
The convent grounds need no ticket. Buy the museum ticket for the exhibitions and the Smolensky Cathedral at the convent’s ticket office on the day. Online sales and the booking window were not confirmed, so check the official page.
- Cathedral: may be closed during services or for part of the year, and the museum can have shorter hours than the grounds.
- Photography: older sources mention a separate fee for taking photographs inside.
- Cemetery: a separate site with its own entrance and rules; check on arrival.
Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ, and payment options for foreign cards were not verified. Check the convent’s official page for current categories.
Plan and Book
Suggested itineraries Novodevichy Convent Moscow
1.5 hours
Enter through the gate, walk to the Smolensky Cathedral and see the exterior and the bell tower. Walk the grounds and the necropolis, then leave and look at the walls from the pond side.
3 hours
Visit the cathedral and one or two exhibitions inside the convent. Leave by the gate, walk around to the cemetery entrance and follow a path to a few well-known graves.
Half day
Spend the morning in the convent and the cemetery, then walk along the Novodevichy Ponds. Finish in Gorky Park or on the embankment for a river view.
How to Get to Novodevichy Convent Moscow
The convent lies about 4 kilometers southwest of the center, in Khamovniki, on a bend of the Moskva River.
- Sportivnaya (Line 1, Sokolnicheskaya, red): about 10–12 minutes on foot, the usual route.
- Frunzenskaya (Line 1, Sokolnicheskaya, red): about 15 minutes.
The main gate is on Novodevichy Passage. The cemetery has a separate entrance on the far side of the south wall, so allow extra walking time between the two. A taxi from the center takes about 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The grounds are paved or gravel, and the historic buildings have steps. Check the convent's official page or contact the museum before visiting if you need step-free access or assistance.
Food Nearby
There are few cafes inside the convent. Around Novodevichy Passage and Frunzenskaya Embankment there are cafes and restaurants, and near Sportivnaya metro station there are more options. Gorky Park, a short ride away, has many food stalls. Check opening hours before you go.
What to Bring
Bring modest clothing, since this is a working convent, and comfortable shoes for gravel paths. A scarf for women is a courteous choice when entering a church.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Novodevichy Ponds
The white walls, red towers and bell tower reflected in the water, a classic view of the convent from outside.
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon, with soft light
Inside the main gate
The five-domed cathedral and the bell tower rising behind the paths, a good first view of the complex.
Best time: Morning, before groups arrive
Along the outer walls
The long line of white walls and towers, with the bell tower above them.
Best time: Winter, with snow on the ground
Cemetery paths
Sculpted tombstones among trees, which gives a quiet, atmospheric image.
Best time: Autumn, when the leaves change color
Photography Rules
Photographs of the exterior and the grounds are generally fine. Older sources mention a surcharge for photography inside the museum and cathedral, and rules may differ in a working convent. Follow signs and staff instructions, and avoid photographing worshippers.
Family Suitability
The convent suits older children interested in history and architecture. The grounds are quiet and a place of worship, so young children should keep their voices low. The cemetery is large and can tire small children. Gravel paths are difficult for strollers, and access to the buildings was not confirmed.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- See the bell tower from the pond side of the walls, where its full height and reflection fit in the frame.
- Check whether the cathedral is open before you buy a ticket; services and seasonal closures are common.
- Plan the cemetery as a separate walk, because its entrance is not inside the convent and the connection between the two has been closed at times.
- Pick up the cemetery map at the entrance; it is large, and without a map you will spend much of the time searching.
- Look for the older graves near the Smolensky Cathedral walls to see where royal women were buried.
- Combine the visit with the Novodevichy Ponds and, if you have time, with Gorky Park nearby.
Explore Nearby Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Sights near Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Novodevichy Pond Moscowabout 200 m away (~3 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Novodevichy Cemetery Moscowabout 250 m away (~4 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Gorky Park Moscowabout 2.9 km away · typical visit: 2–4 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Cable Carabout 1.7 km away (~28 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sparrow Hills Moscowabout 1.9 km away (~31 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–3 hours including the walk upMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Leo Tolstoy Estate Museum Moscowabout 2.1 km away · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Sportivnaya Metro Stationabout 600 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Luzhniki MCC Stationabout 600 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Due Forniabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Spektr Hotel Moscowabout 550 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Maidens Hotel Moscowabout 2.3 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Korston Club Hotel Moscowabout 2.4 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Luzhniki River Pierabout 1.6 km away (~26 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Moscow Marathonabout 1.1 km away (~18 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Browse more: More in Khamovniki · All Churches · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Novodevichy Convent Moscow
Is Novodevichy Cemetery part of the convent?
No. It is a separate site beyond the south wall with its own entrance and hours. See the scope section for what is free and what is not.
Is the convent a working monastery?
Yes. It returned to religious use in 1994, and services are held on certain days, so some buildings can close at short notice.
Is it free to enter?
The grounds are free, but exhibitions and the Smolensky Cathedral need a ticket. The cemetery is reported free. See the booking section.
Who is buried in the cemetery?
Many well-known figures, including Boris Yeltsin, Nikolai Gogol and the cosmonaut Pavel Belyaev, among more than 27,000 tombs.
Why is it a UNESCO site?
It was inscribed in 2004 as an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque, with a complete ensemble of walls, towers, cathedral and bell tower.
How long do I need?
About an hour and a half for the convent, and three to four hours if you add the cemetery.
Do I need a guide?
Not necessarily. Labels explain the main buildings, though a guide helps in the cemetery. Check what the convent offers in English.
Is it close to the center?
It is about 4 kilometers southwest of the Kremlin, reached by metro and a 10 to 12 minute walk from Sportivnaya.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026.
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