NOVOSPASSKY MONASTERY is located near Krestianskaya Zastava Square.
The Muscovites and tourists are mostly struck and attracted by the imposing forms of the ancient cathedral of the God-s Transfiguration v the centre of the Novospassky Monastery.
The monastery has existed on the high bank of the Moskva River since 1490. The church of the Transfiguration was built by Ivan III-s order. Monks were transferred there from the Kremlin.
In the middle of the XVII century 7,5-meter-high thick walls were erected around the monastery. At the same time a team of bricklayers headed by Gregory Kopyla disassembled and reset root and branch the cathedral of the God-s Transfiguration.
At the end of the XVIII century a church of the Mother of God-s Sign was built by V. I. Bazhenov-s project. At the same time a new five-tiered belfry was created by I. P. Zherebstov.
Despite the fact that only four tiers were erected, the belfry was 71 meters high. During the 1812 fire two big bells fell down, having made a hole in the vaults. The main vault of the Christ the Saviour Cathedral preserved the remains of the Romanovs and many other prince-s families.
The rebellious priest Avvakum, the Empress Yelizaveta Petrovna-s natural daughter Princess Tarakanova, the serf actress Praskovia Zhemtchugova v count Sheremetiev-s wife v were buried there. The monuments of the Monastery have been guarded by the state since 1972.
Then the restoration of the monastery began. In 1991 the Novospassky Monastery was returned to the Orthodox Church. There are a Sunday school and a school of icon-painting at the monastery.
The monasterial choir is considered to be one of the best all over Russia.
