Bogolyubsky monastery, Bogolyubovo

The full name of the monastery is Bogolyubsky in honor of the appearance of the Bogolyubsky Icon of the Mother of God (Nativity of the Virgin).

The appearance of the Bogolyubsky monastery is determined by the buildings of the XIX century, although the monastery itself is one of the oldest in Russia, it originated in the XIII century on the site of the princely palace of Andrei Bogolyubsky.

Wonderful legends of this place have led pilgrims and visitors here for more than 700 years - the story of the founding of Bogolyubov, the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God and the appearance of the Virgin, and also the memory of killed here Prince Andrei Bogolyubskii.

The memory of this murder, which occurred in 1174, is literally preserved in stone. It is these “historical stones” that are first of all inspected by visitors - the spiral staircase and the gallery of the tower, where Andrei Bogolyubsky died from wounds inflicted by traitors from among his entourage.

These fragments of the princely palace of the 12th century are the oldest surviving examples of Russian pre-Mongolian civil architecture.

In the XVIII century, they became part of the "renewed" Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. The original Nativity Cathedral died in 1722, and fragments of the princely palace were saved by accident. Although the prince’s murder was always revered - especially after 1702, when Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky was canonized by the church. This saved the fragments of the princely palace from further destruction. And there was a lot of destruction - the fact of the canonization of the prince allowed the monastery to begin large-scale construction in the 18th century. Stones of ancient buildings were taken away for monastic needs.

By the letter of Tsars John and Peter Alekseevich from 1687, the monastery became the Patriarch's home monastery. In 1690 the monastery was visited by Emperor Peter I (in the reign of which Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky was canonized). In 1753 the monastery became synodal.

The monastery stood near a busy road leading to Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan, the monastery was often visited by kings, princes and other eminent persons. In 1680 in the monastery was Tsar Fedor Alekseevich, who left his precious pectoral cross on the decoration of the Bogolyubsky Icon of the Mother of God. In addition to the aforementioned Peter I, who played a large role in the elevation of the monastery, there were also Paul I, Alexander I, Alexander II, and numerous grand dukes. And on May 13, 1913, the Bogolyubsk monastery was honored by the visit of the family of the last Russian emperor Nicholas II.

In 1923, it was decided to close the monastery. In 1924, the monastic property was transferred to the museum department. After the revolution, the monastery buildings housed a school, hospital, post office, police station, a cannery, and in the temples there were repositories and warehouses.

In 1991, part of the buildings were transferred to monastics led by the shiigumen Nicodemus, and in 1997, 63 sisters were transferred here from the Zadonsky Savior Transfiguration Monastery. So there are 2 monasteries in the same territory now: male and female.

The active restoration of the monastery began in the late 1990s.

Monuments on the territory of the Bogolyubsky monastery:
The remains of the palace of Andrei Bogolyubsky (1158-1165)
Nativity Cathedral (1751)
Annunciation refectory church (1683), rebuilt in 1804
Cathedral of the Bogolyubsky Icon of the Mother of God (1866)
Bell tower with a church in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1841-1842)
Civic Chapel (XVII - XIX centuries)
Cell enclosures, fencing, towers (XVIII-XIX centuries)

IMPORTANT
The architectural complex of the Bogolyubsky monastery is in the habit of stopping work a couple of hours earlier than indicated in the schedule (on weekends the monastery is open until 18 hours). Inspection of monuments is better to plan ahead and start with the most interesting to you.

Join our tours and take a look at this amazing attraction:
Excursions - www.uvisitrussia.com/day-tours/tours-to-golden-ring/
Tours - www.uvisitrussia.com/tours-to-golden-ring/