Novodevichy Convent Museum

Magnificently preserved medieval monastery

Noteworthy for: In medieval times the convent also functioned as a fortress and hence has immense walls and towers.
Talk of the town: During Peter the Great's reign, the Tsar's unwanted daughters, nieces and wives were regularly forced to become nuns here.

This magnificent convent, with it's high red towers and white walls, is one of the best preserved and most beautiful in Moscow. Within the thick fortress-like walls there are four medieval churches topped with shining golden domes which contain the convent's many treasures.
This is still a working convent and visitors are expected to be respectful - women in particular should dress conservatively and cover their heads.

Outside, there's a lovely pond surrounded by green parkland and just next to the convent is the huge Novodevichy cemetery where Moscow's most famous are buried in spectacular style.