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Alexander Monastery (Suzdal)

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Photos

  • Александровский монастырь (Суздаль). Photo 1
  • Александровский монастырь (Суздаль). Photo 2

Description

The Alexander Monastery in Suzdal, including its rich history and architectural ensembles, represents one of the significant cultural and religious heritage of Russia.

Founded, according to legend, in 1240 by Alexander Nevsky, the monastery received estates from close relatives of Alexander Nevsky - Ivan Kalita and Ivan II. After the Tatar invasion, the monastery accepted a large number of orphans, which led to its name "Big Lavra". However, during the Russian-Polish War in 1608-1610, the monastery was burned by the Poles, and none of its buildings erected before the 17th century survived.

In 1764, as part of the secularization of the lands carried out by Catherine II, the convent was abolished and its cathedral was turned into a parish church. However, in 2006 it was revived as a monastery of the Vladimir-Suzdal diocese.

The architecturally significant part of the monastery is the Church of the Ascension of the Lord with a bell tower, built in 1695 on the initiative of Tsarina Natalya Kirillovna, mother of Peter I. This temple is a high two-tier quadrangle with five domes, an adjacent warm chapel and a porch. A fence with decorative turrets was built around the monastery, as well as the Holy Gate with a two-tier turret, reminiscent of the Holy Gate of the Trinity Monastery. The fence and towers of the monastery were built under the leadership of the famous architect Ivan Gryaznov, who also took part in the construction of other remarkable buildings in Suzdal.

It should be noted that the Alexander Monastery, restored and revived today, continues to attract both believers and tourists due to its historical and religious significance, as well as its beauty and architecture.

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