Alexander Nevsky Monastery

Alexander Nevsky Monastery

Alexander Nevsky (c. 1220–1263), a 13th-century Russian leader and Prince of Novgorod. He was called the Hero of the Neva for defeating the Swedes on the Neva River, and gained fame for his victory over the Livonian Order in the Battle on the Ice. In the 13th century, he repelled a series of European invaders, and adopted a conciliatory policy toward the Mongol conquerors, successfully maintaining Russian unity. He was canonized by the Orthodox Church in 1547. On July 29, 1942, Stalin declared Alexander Nevsky a national hero.

The Alexander Nevsky Monastery is located at the eastern end of Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. It was commissioned by Peter the Great. At the time, Peter decided to build St. Petersburg on the site where Prince of Novgorod fought the Swedes by the Neva River in 1240. While constructing the new city, he built this monastery and transferred the prince's remains here to seek divine protection.

The monastery is surrounded by four famous cemeteries from the 18th and 19th centuries. On the left side of the arch entrance is the Lazarevskoe Cemetery. Additionally, the graves of many renowned architects who left their mark on St. Petersburg—such as Voronikhin, Zakharov, Gorokhov, and Rossi—as well as scientist Lomonosov, are located here. On the right side of the entrance is the Tikhvin Cemetery, where literary figures such as Dostoevsky, Zhukovsky, and Karamzin, and composers like Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky, are buried.

Alexander Nevsky Lavra

Must-visit reason: One of the largest monasteries in St. Petersburg

Continent: Europe

Country/Region: Russia

Province/State: Saint Petersburg

City: Saint Petersburg