Novodevichy convent is one of the most famous historical places of interest in Moscow of the 16th - 18th centuries and at the same time the functioning convent which belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church. The convent is situated on the coast of Moscow river, near Vorobyovy hills.
It was founded in 1524 by the great tsar Vasily III Ioanovich in the memory of the capture of Smolensk. First prioress of this convent, Helena, had a nickname: Devochkina. They believe that therefore convent was named Devitchy. Here stayed Boris Godunov awaiting for Russian throne, which he obtained later. Evdokia Fedorovna the Peter’s spouse lived here for four years. Peter’s sister Sophia took a veil here, and died in 1704. On its territory one can see the beautiful monuments - the Bell Tower, which was built in 1690, and Smolensky Cathedral (Cathedral of the Holy Virgin of Smolensk), decorated with frescoes depicting the episodes from Russian history.
