Convent walls, Smolensk Cathedral and an elegant bell tower beside the Novodevichy ponds.
The story of this place
Novodevichy Convent was founded in 1524, with the 16th-century Smolensk Cathedral forming its oldest core. Its architecture evolved over more than a century, retaining the relationship between churches, residential buildings and fortified enclosure.
Late-17th-century additions introduced Moscow Baroque architecture, including a tall bell tower and gate churches. The red-and-white silhouette is particularly clear from the ponds. The ensemble entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.
