Novodevichy Convent & Cemetery
Новодевичий монастырь
A 16th-century Moscow Baroque convent complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The adjoining cemetery holds the graves of celebrities such as Gogol, Chekhov and Khrushchev.
Novodevichy Convent was founded in 1524 and is Moscow's best-preserved monastic ensemble. Its red-and-white walls and towers surround the Smolensk Cathedral and a 72-metre bell tower. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Visitors can photograph the convent's reflection in the Swan Lake pond. Legend says Tchaikovsky drew inspiration for *Swan Lake* from here. To the south lies Novodevichy Cemetery, Russia's most famous burial ground for notable figures. It holds the graves of Gogol, Chekhov, Shostakovich, Khrushchev and Yeltsin, along with artistic tombstones, and also includes Chinese figures such as Wang Ming. Some buildings are under renovation. Women must cover their heads.
Opening hours
Monastery about 07:00–20:00; cemetery about 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Luzhniki Stadium
- Sparrow Hills & Moscow State University
- Moscow International Business Center (Moscow City)
- Arbat Street
- Moscow Zoo
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- Gorky Park & Muzeon Park
- Victory Park (Poklonnaya Hill)