Tuesday 17 October 2017

Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent

The first postcard of this post was the last postcard I received in my Portuguese address 

Novodevichy Convent
This postcard was sent by Irina

The Novodevichy Convent, situated in the south-western part of the historic town of Moscow at the crossing of the Moscow River, was founded by Grand Duke Vasily III in the 1520s and was a part of a chain of monastic ensembles that were integrated into the defence system of the city. It is an outstanding example of Orthodox architecture. The ensemble consists of 14 buildings, including 8 cathedrals (a shrine, 4 churches, a belfry with the Barlaam and Josaphat church and two chapels) and a number of residential and service buildings.

Novodevichy Convent
This postcard was sent by Masha

The Convent is enclosed by a high masonry wall with twelve towers and with entrance gates to the north and south.
Among other major buildings of the Convent is the Bell Tower built in 1683-1690. It has no analogues among ancient Russian convents or among other buildings of Moscow Baroque style. Due to its great height (72m), unusual disposition, elegant proportions and beautiful decorations, the belfry has always been the main vertical element of the whole western part of the historic town of Moscow thus contributing to the Convent’s town-planning value. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1097

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