Novodivichy Monastary

Today we visited Novodevichy Monastary. It is known for being a good example of surviving 17 Century Architecture. There has been a lot of burning, sacking and looting in Russian history. Just being old is an accomplishment.



We began our tour in the cemetary. I've never seen anything like it (is it me, or does every entry start this way?). It was the largest concentration of extravagant burial monuments I've ever seen. Imagine the largest Forrest Lawn you've ever seen, with a Telephone Booth sized monument on every grave. Each grave contained multiple people. Often husband and wife, but many kids and siblings. The only one we recognized, out of thousands, was Nikkita Kruzchev. Residents from the Soviet period predominated. The soviets may not have expoused a belief in God, but they certainly celebrate their comrades in death.

The Monastary is also impressive. It is encircled by Fort walls, and was a point of defence for Moscow. The French occupied it in 1812, and tried to destroy it when they left. They lit the fuse on dynamite packed into the main cathedral. Nuns in hiding emerged when the french left and extinguished the fuses. The nuns are listed as honored combatants in the War of 1812.


This is the private chapel of a businessman built in the 19th century. His firm survives to this day. This is included as further proof to Mr. Kuhlman that we are not in Vegas.

Here are some interesting monuments.





Why yes, that IS a monkey on his shoulder. I'll have to remember that when my time comes!

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