Alexander Monastery (Suzdal): History and Architecture

Slaven Alexander Monastery of Suzdal. Pilgrims come here from all over the CIS and abroad. It is located on the bank of a river called Kamenka. Originally the monastery was female.

History of the monastery

The founder of the monastery is Alexander Nevsky. Date of origin - 1240 year. The Prince was awaited by fierce battles with the Germans, and he decided to build before the war a monastery in honor of his patron of heaven, Alexander Rimsky. Why did he build it in Suzdal? The fact is that this is the birthplace of Nevsky. Rules in Suzdali at that time, his younger brother - Andrei Yaroslavich. The first name of the shrine is the Great Lavra - the Alexander Monastery of the Virgin.

Unfortunately, during the Polish invasion (1608 - 1610 gg.) The monastery was completely destroyed by fire. Nothing memorable that belonged to the monastery until this date, is not preserved.

New monastery church begged Domhelny to petition with Tsar Peter Alekseevich in the petition in 1695. The building was built with money from the mother of the tsar, Natalia Kirillovna. It was called the Church of the Ascension of the Lord and equipped with a bell tower, which is a two-tiered quadrangle, which had five chapters.

Tented bell tower

The belfry of the Alexander Monastery in Suzdal is an octagonal pillar, which stands on a low quadrangle. At its base is a ladder. The bell tower is the only one in the city of Suzdal has no decor, which makes it unique. Yet she has a very modest decoration - carved platbands over the windows-rumors and the same frame of arches.

In the XVIII century (first half) Alexander Monastery in Suzdal was surrounded by a low fence. Fence was decorated with turrets, which are stylized as defensive.

The Holy Gates of the Alexander Monastery in Suzdal

At the same time, at the entrance to the monastery were installed the Holy Gates. They are decorated with a carved tower, the same as installed near the Holy Gates of the Trinity Monastery. And this is not surprising, because the project was engaged in Ivan Gryaznov. The same person who led the erection of the Trinity Monastery.

Catherine II during the process of secularization of land in 1764 gave the monastery to the city authorities. It was abolished and renamed the parish church of the city.

2006 was a turning point in the history of the shrine. He was christened again by the Alexander Monastery. In Suzdal, Father Abel (Urgalkin) became his rector. The shrine was attributed to the Vladimir-Suzdal diocese.

Holy burial places

During its heyday, the complex from the building was called the Great Lavra. The patrons of the shrine were Ivan Kalita and his family. His sons gave the monastery grounds for the priests to remember the souls of the dead. Once there was a burial vault for princes' wives. In the territory are the remains:

• Princess of Suzdal Mary;
• The Grand Duchess Agrippina.

Interesting Facts

During the struggle against the Mongol-Tatar invaders, all who needed it could find shelter here. The abbots accepted the poor and the senile. Here widowed wives, people who lost loved ones found comfort, and their houses were destroyed.

In the archives, a miracle was preserved in the paper (reading and writing), in which we are talking about the fact that in 1738 two criminals (schismatics) were sent here. One lady conspired with the guard and escaped. After that, the abbess had great problems, but she managed to confirm her innocence.

How the monastery works: regime

For the entrance to the shrine you do not need to pay. You can go to church at any time. Ladies need to cover their head with a handkerchief, and on the face it is desirable not to have a bright make-up. The kerchiefs can be taken at the entrance. Women also do not want to be in trousers, but still wear a skirt, but in jeans no one will expel. The pilgrims are offered to stay in the service, they can feed the dinner, provide shelter.

Excursions

The inhabitants of the monastery do not spend the excursions and it's so easy not to get to the territory. If you want to see the life of the Suzdal shrine from the inside, you will have to pay for the tour through the numerous monasteries of the city. Its cost is approximately 3,000 Russian rubles. It is possible to assemble a group and hire a guide privately. The cost of accompanying services is 1,5 thousand rubles.

How to get to the monastery in Suzdal?

The monastery is located 500 km from the Red Square. Near it there is a free parking and you can park your car. Next you need to walk, turn left on the street. Friedrich Engels and walk to the street. Gastayev. Go along this street and turn right. The whole way, if you want, can be overcome by car. Auto leave is possible near the Holy Gates. There is no parking prohibition.

The Alexander Monastery is modest and not as grand as, for example, Pokrovsky. But the parishioners find peace, comfort, solitude and silence here. Within its walls is to lead a quiet conversation with the Lord through prayer. Tourists can enjoy the panorama and architecture. They are visible from the high bank of the Kamenka. Walk through these holy places, and in peace reign peace and harmony reign.