New Maiden's (Novodevichy) Convent in Moscow was founded in 1524 by Grand Duke Vasili III. The cloister is one of the best known in Moscow.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakNew Maiden's (Novodevichy) Convent in Moscow was founded in 1524 by Grand Duke Vasili III.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
New Maiden's (Novodevichy) Convent in Moscow was founded in 1524 by Grand Duke Vasili III.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakThe cloister is one of the best known in Moscow.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
The cloister is one of the best known in Moscow.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakThe convent was built as a fortress at a curve of the Moskva River.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
The convent was built as a fortress at a curve of the Moskva River.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakIn 1812, Napoleon's army intended to blow up the convent, but the nuns saved the cloister from demolition.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
In 1812, Napoleon's army intended to blow up the convent, but the nuns saved the cloister from demolition.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakIn 1922, the Bolsheviks turned the convent into the Museum of Women's Emancipation.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
In 1922, the Bolsheviks turned the convent into the Museum of Women's Emancipation.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakNuns returned to the cloister in 1994, after the collapse in the Soviet Union.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
Nuns returned to the cloister in 1994, after the collapse in the Soviet Union.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakIn 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakThe convent's 72-meter octagonal bell-tower was built in 1689–90.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
The convent's 72-meter octagonal bell-tower was built in 1689–90.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakThe five-domed cathedral, built in the 16th century, is dedicated to the icon Our Lady of Smolensk.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
The five-domed cathedral, built in the 16th century, is dedicated to the icon Our Lady of Smolensk.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakThe cathedral is the oldest structure in the convent and has very beautiful frescoes.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
The cathedral is the oldest structure in the convent and has very beautiful frescoes.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakThe convent, like many other cloisters, is a place of burial.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
The convent, like many other cloisters, is a place of burial.
© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg SchnaakMany prominent Muscovites are buried at the convent's graveyard. Among them are composers Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitry Shostakovich, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, first Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich.
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© RIA Novosti . Hans-Georg Schnaak
Many prominent Muscovites are buried at the convent's graveyard. Among them are composers Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitry Shostakovich, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, first Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich.