Alexander Nevski Monastery - Private

Discover the stunning Alexander Nevsky Monastery housing some of St Petersburg’s oldest and most important religious buildings.

The monastery was founded by Peter the Great in 1710 on the spot of one of Russia’s most glorious victories over the Swedes. Here they stopped the Swedish invasion of Russian territory in the 13th century. It seems Peter the Great was slightly wrong about the location but nevertheless the legend remains. As one of only four Lavras in Russia, the highest denomination of orthodox monastery, the Alexander Nevsky Monastery is an incredibly devout place, attracting believers from all over the country.

The complex of buildings includes two fabulous baroque churches designed by the Italian Domenico Trezzini and the majestic Holy Trinity Cathedral as well as a couple of other churches. Of note is the fact that the holy remains of Alexander Nevsky were brought here from Vladimir and were housed in a silver shrine made from an astounding one and a half tons of pure silver.

The monastery of St. Alexander Nevsky is considered one of the oldest museums in Russia, boasting a collection of objects of religious worship: ancient manuscripts, crucifixes, incorrupt bodies of saints and icons with frames covered in precious stones and metals. Also of particular interest is the Tikhvin Cemetery where some of Russia's most famous people are buried. Members of the royal family, warriors, composers and writers can all be found within the peaceful cemetery walls. Look out for the tombs of greats such as Dostoevsky and Tchaikovsky.