Novospassky Monastery Moscow is a fortified monastery on the bank of the Moskva River, south of Taganka, long tied to the Romanov family. Novospassky Monastery Moscow hours are daily from the early morning to about 20:00, and it is a working monastery, so the churches can be limited during services.
The centerpiece is the five-domed Transfiguration Cathedral of 1645–1649, built over the Romanov family tombs and painted with their family tree. This guide explains what to look for among the walls, churches and graves, and how to reach it from the metro.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Новоспасский монастырь |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1491 |
| Address | Krestyanskaya Square 10, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Tagansky |
| Metro | Krestyanskaya Zastava (Line 10 (Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya, light green), about 10–15 min walk; the exact time was not verified) Proletarskaya (Line 7 (Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, purple), about 15 min walk; the exact time was not verified) |
| Opening hours | The monastery grounds are reported open Monday to Saturday from about 7:00 to 20:00 and on Sundays from about 6:30 to 20:00, while an older listing gives 8:00 to 20:00, or 7:00 on Sundays.
It is a working monastery with daily services, so the churches can be limited at those times (as of October 2026 – check the official site, новоспасский-монастырь.рф). |
| Admission | No ticket price was found, and entry to the grounds is not confirmed as free, so check the official site before you go. |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings are calm, and the grounds are most pleasant from late spring to early autumn, when the gardens are green. Evenings are popular with local visitors, and Sundays and church holidays bring longer services.
In winter the walls and domes look stark against the snow, and the interior is the main reason to go. |
| Recommended duration | 1–1.5 hours |
| Website | новоспасский-монастырь.рф |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Novospassky Monastery Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monastery grounds, walls and gardens | Included in the standard ticket | Open to walk through; fees were not confirmed. |
| Transfiguration Cathedral | Included in the standard ticket | A working church that can be limited during services. |
| Other churches and the bell tower | Included in the standard ticket | Some may be closed outside service hours. |
| Romanov burials | Included in the standard ticket | Within the grounds and the cathedral; ask staff for locations. |
| Museum of the monastery's history | Separate ticket or institution | Opened in 2011; its hours and any fee were not confirmed. |
| Services in the cathedral | Not open to visitors | Services are for worshippers, and visits can be limited at those times. |
| Donskoy Monastery Moscow | Outside / not part of it | A different fortified monastery in the south of the city. |
Why Visit Novospassky Monastery Moscow?
The monastery was the burial place of the Romanov family before they ruled Russia, and the Transfiguration Cathedral was built over the family tombs in 1645–1649. Its frescoes show the Romanov family tree, set beside the line of the kings of Israel.
The monastery is one of the oldest in Moscow, moved from the Kremlin to this site in 1491, and its thick stone walls and towers are part of the old ring of fortified monasteries around the city.
It is quiet and green, with gardens along the river, and a museum of the monastery’s history opened in 2011. It sits away from the main tourist routes, so it is calm on most days.
How Novospassky Monastery Moscow Is Laid Out
The monastery lies on a hill above the Moskva River, enclosed by stone walls with towers, with its main entrance on the north side.
Near the entrance stand a brick Assumption Cathedral and a Moscow-baroque gate tower. The Transfiguration Cathedral, the central church, rises in the middle of the grounds, with the Intercession Church and its refectory and the Church of the Sign nearby. A tall bell tower stands over the complex, and gardens run along the river side, beside the walls.
A sensible route is to enter through the gate tower, walk to the Transfiguration Cathedral, then see the other churches and finish with a walk along the garden and the walls toward the river.
Highlights of Novospassky Monastery Moscow
The Transfiguration Cathedral
The central church was built in 1645–1649 by the Romanov family, over the family tombs, and partly modeled on the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin. It has five domes, large arched gables and helmet-shaped domes.
It is described as the centerpiece of the monastery.
Tip: Look at the proportions of the gables and domes and compare them with the Kremlin's Assumption Cathedral.
The Romanov family tree
The frescoes inside the cathedral show the history of Christianity in Russia, and on one wall a family tree of the Romanovs reaches back to Rurik.
It places the Romanov family's claim to the throne beside the descent of the kings of Israel.
Tip: Allow your eyes to adjust to the dim light before looking for the family tree on the wall.
The Romanov burials
The monastery was a burial place of the Romanov family. Among the last were Xenia Shestova, the mother of the first Romanov tsar, and Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.
Princess Tarakanova, a pretender who claimed to be the daughter of Empress Elizabeth, is also reported to be buried here.
Tip: Ask a monastery worker where the graves are, since signs are in Russian.
The walls and towers
The monastery was part of the defensive ring of fortified monasteries around Moscow. After 1612, under Michael Romanov, it was rebuilt with thick stone walls and towers, about 7.5 meters high and 2 meters thick.
The walls still enclose the complex today.
Tip: Walk along the outside of the walls to see the towers and the river side.
Churches, gate tower and bell tower
The monastery also has the Intercession Church with a refectory (1673–1675), the Church of the Sign (1791–1795), a brick Assumption Cathedral, a Moscow-baroque gate tower and one of the tallest bell towers in Moscow.
The Church of the Sign holds the Sheremetev tomb.
Tip: Look at the gate tower on arrival, since it is one of the most decorated parts of the complex.
The monastery's history museum
A museum of the monastery's history opened in 2011, based on objects found in excavations in the monastery and on personal belongings of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.
Its hours and terms were not confirmed.
Tip: Ask at the entrance whether the museum is open on your day.
Atmosphere
The monastery is calm and green, with gardens, gravel paths and old walls that block the noise of the city. The five domes of the Transfiguration Cathedral stand dark against the sky, and the smaller churches around it are painted in warm colors.
Worshippers and a few visitors walk slowly, and the sound is bells and quiet singing from the services. On the river side, the walls give way to gardens and a view over the Moskva.
Evenings are popular with local visitors, who come after work to walk and pray. It is quietest on weekday mornings and busiest on Sundays and church holidays.
History of Novospassky Monastery Moscow
The monastery traces its origins to the early 14th century, when it was founded in the Moscow Kremlin, near the Savior church. In 1491, during the rebuilding of the Kremlin, Grand Prince Ivan III moved the monks to a new site on Krutitsky Hill, on the bank of the Moskva River. It was called the new monastery of the Savior.
The wooden buildings were attacked by the Crimean Tatars in 1571 and 1591. In the early 17th century the monastery withstood a siege by Polish troops, and the Russian militia gathered near its walls in 1612 before the final liberation of Moscow.
In the 17th century it came under the patronage of the boyar families of the Sheremetevs and the Romanovs. With the accession of Michael Romanov in 1612, the monastery was rebuilt with thick stone walls and towers, and became one of the fortified monasteries on the edge of Moscow.
The central church, the Transfiguration Cathedral, was built in 1645–1649 over the tombs of the Romanov family. The Intercession Church with a refectory followed in 1673–1675, and the Church of the Sign in 1791–1795, with a bell tower, one of the tallest in Moscow, in the 18th century.
The Romanovs and other noble families were buried in the monastery until the 18th century. Among the last were Xenia Shestova, the mother of the first Romanov tsar, and later Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.
After the Revolution, the monastery was closed and its walls were used for a prison camp in the early years of the Bolshevik government, and later for other purposes.
The monastery was returned to the Church in 1991 and has been under restoration since then. A museum of its history opened in 2011. Today it is a working monastery with daily services, a Sunday school and a boys’ singing school.
Legends and Myths about Novospassky Monastery Moscow
Princess Tarakanova and the nun
Disputed by historians. A woman known as Princess Tarakanova claimed to be the daughter of Empress Elizabeth, and a nun linked to her is said to be buried in the monastery's Romanov cemetery.
Some accounts suggest the nun was the real daughter, which would explain the burial, but historians debate her identity, so the story is treated as disputed.
Tickets and Booking for Novospassky Monastery Moscow
No tickets or online booking were found for the monastery, and the grounds can be walked into during opening hours. Entry fees for the grounds and for the museum of the monastery’s history were not confirmed, so check the monastery’s official site, новоспасский-монастырь.рф, before you go.
- Services: the churches are working churches with daily services, and visits may be limited at those times.
- Entrance: through the gate on the north side of the monastery.
Payment options for foreign cards were not verified, so carry some cash for candles and donations. Rates for Russian citizens and concessions may differ if any fee applies. Check the official site for current information.
Plan and Book
Suggested Itineraries for Novospassky Monastery Moscow
1 hour
Enter by the gate tower, see the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Romanov family tree if the church is open. Walk a short loop through the grounds.
1.5 hours
See the Transfiguration Cathedral, the Intercession Church and the Church of the Sign, then walk through the gardens along the river side and around the walls.
Half day
Combine the monastery with Bunker-42 and Taganskaya Square, and a walk along the river or to Krutitsky Hill.
How to Get to Novospassky Monastery Moscow
The monastery is on the bank of the Moskva River, south of Taganka, about a kilometer from Taganskaya Square.
- Krestyanskaya Zastava (Line 10, Lyublinsko-Dmitrovskaya, light green): about 10 to 15 minutes on foot; the exact time was not verified.
- Proletarskaya (Line 7, Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, purple): about 15 minutes on foot; the exact time was not verified.
A taxi can drop you at the gate on Krestyanskaya Square. Check a map for the walking route.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The grounds have gravel and uneven paths, and the churches have steps and thresholds. Contact the monastery before visiting if you need step-free access or assistance, and check its official site for current information.
Food Nearby
There are no cafes confirmed inside the monastery grounds. Around Krestyanskaya Zastava and Taganskaya metro stations there are cafes, restaurants and shops. Check opening hours before you go.
What to Bring
Bring comfortable shoes for gravel paths and a layer for the weather by the river. As in other Orthodox churches, modest clothing is customary, and women often cover their heads inside the churches.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Novospassky Monastery Moscow
Transfiguration Cathedral from the path
The five domes and the large gables of the cathedral rising above the paths and trees.
Best time: Late afternoon light
Gate tower
The Moscow-baroque gate tower at the entrance, one of the most decorated parts of the complex.
Best time: Midday, with even light
Gardens along the river side
The walls and towers seen from the gardens, with the river beyond.
Best time: Early evening
Bell tower
The tall bell tower over the roofs and domes, visible from several parts of the grounds.
Best time: Clear mornings
Photography Rules
Photography rules inside the churches were not confirmed and are often restricted in working churches, so follow signs and staff instructions and avoid flash. The walls, towers and gardens can generally be photographed from the grounds. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and change.
Family Suitability
The monastery suits families who enjoy a quiet walk, with gardens, towers and a river view. It is a working monastery, so quiet behavior is expected during services. Gravel paths make strollers harder to push, and access inside the churches was not confirmed.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Look for the Romanov family tree in the Transfiguration Cathedral frescoes, which most visitors miss in the dim light.
- Visit in the evening, when local visitors come to the monastery and the services create a calm atmosphere.
- Look at the gate tower on arrival, since it is easy to walk past on the way to the cathedral.
- Do not confuse the monastery with Novodevichy Convent or Donskoy Monastery; this one is the Romanov burial place.
- Walk the garden path along the river side to see the walls from inside.
- Combine the visit with Bunker-42 and Taganka, which are a short distance north.
Explore Nearby Novospassky Monastery Moscow
Sights near Novospassky Monastery Moscow
Bunker-42 Moscowabout 1.7 km away (~27 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–2.5 hours
Moscow Metro · typical visit: 1.5–3 hours for a tour of showcase stations
Krutitskoye Podvorye Moscowabout 350 m away (~5 min walk) · typical visit: 45–60 minutes
Sergey Yesenin Museum Moscowabout 1.4 km away (~23 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 1.5 hours
Marfo-Mariinsky Convent Moscowabout 2.2 km away · typical visit: About 1 to 1.5 hours
Museum of Russian Icons Moscowabout 2.2 km away · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hours
Metro stations near Novospassky Monastery Moscow
Proletarskaya Metro Stationabout 950 m away (~16 min walk)
Paveletskaya Metro Stationabout 1.1 km away (~18 min walk)
Krestyanskaya Zastava Metro Stationabout 1.1 km away (~18 min walk)
Restaurants and cafes near Novospassky Monastery Moscow
El Gauchoabout 1.1 km away (~17 min walk)
Hotels near Novospassky Monastery Moscow
Swissotel Krasnye Holmy Moscowabout 900 m away (~15 min walk)
Ibis Moscow Centre Bakhrushinaabout 1.5 km away (~24 min walk)
Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscowabout 2.9 km away
Train stations and river piers near Novospassky Monastery Moscow
Novospassky River Pierabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)
Paveletsky Railway Terminalabout 900 m away (~15 min walk)
Related guides
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How to take a Moskva River cruise: Piers, Boats, Prices and Season
Rimskaya Metro Station: Roman Fountain, She-Wolf Medallions and Lines
Taganskaya Metro Station: Majolica Panels, Chandeliers and Transfers
Miratorg: Supermarkets in Moscow, Hours and What to Buy
Browse more: More in Tagansky · All Churches · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Novospassky Monastery Moscow
Why is it called the New Monastery?
It was moved from the Kremlin to this site in 1491 by Ivan III and called the new monastery of the Savior.
Who is buried here?
Members of the Romanov family, including Xenia Shestova and Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. Princess Tarakanova is also reported to be buried here.
What is the main church?
The five-domed Transfiguration Cathedral of 1645–1649, built over the Romanov family tombs.
What are the frescoes about?
The history of Christianity in Russia and the Romanov family tree, set beside the line of the kings of Israel.
Is it a working monastery?
Yes. It was returned to the Church in 1991 and has daily services, so visits to the churches can be limited.
Do I need a ticket?
No ticket information was found, and entry to the grounds is not confirmed as free. Check the official site.
How long do I need?
About one to one and a half hours.
How far is it from the metro?
About 10 to 15 minutes on foot from Krestyanskaya Zastava or Proletarskaya, though the exact time was not verified.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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