Andronikov Monastery, Moscow
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The Andronikov Monastery (Spaso-Andronikov Monastyr) is one of several fortress-monasteries on the southeastern outskirts of Moscow (it's just one Metro stop from Novospassky Monastery). Founded in 1360 and named for its first abbot, Andronik Monastery is primarily impressive from the outside but has some sights of interest.
History
In the 14th century, Metropolitan Alexei found himself on stormy seas on a journey back from Constantinople. Fearing for his life, he vowed that if he survived, he would found a monastery and dedicate it to the saint whose feast day fell on the day of his safe return. God did his part, and so did Alexei.
Alexei founded this monastery in 1360, dedicating it to Our Savior, the feast day that saw his safe return. Alexei was later summoned to Crimea to attend to the Khan's ailing wife, leaving the monk Andronik in charge. Andronik went on to become the first abbot and the monastery was eventually named after him.
The most famous resident of Andronikov Monastery is the 14th-century icon painter Andrei Rublev (c.1360-1430). Revered as the greatest painter of medieval Russia, Rublev (pronounced "Rubl-yov") may be buried in the monastery's crypt. Rublev was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1989 and the monastery hosts a celebration in his honor on July 17.
After the Revolution, Andronikov Monastery was turned into a prison camp. Later it was used to house workers from the nearby Hammer and Sickle Factory. It was scheduled for demolition but was spared by the patriotic feelings that followed the war. In 1960, it was reopened as the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art in honor of the 600th anniversary of his birth.
Andronikov is still officially a museum, but several of the buildings are again occupied by Orthodox monks and religious institutions, including a choristers' school.
What to See
Andronikov Monastery is impressive from the outside but not as romantic inside as other nearby monasteries and convents. But it contains numerous sights of interest, the best of which are the Refectory and the Church of the Archangel Michael.
The monastery is enclosed by white stone ramparts with three chunky towers. Entrance is through the Holy Gate (Svyatye vorota), which is flanked by turrets with conical wooden roofs. Left of the gate is the 17th-century Abbot's Residence (Nastoyatelskie Pokoi), decorated with ceramic details. On the right are the ticket office and the 19th-century Seminary.
The impressive Refectory (Trapeznaya palata), near the west wall, dates from 1504-06. A cornice connects it with the adjacent Church of the Archangel Michael (tserkov Arkhangela Mikhaila), built 1694-1731 in the Moscow Baroque style. It was commissioned as a private chapel and burial vault for the family of Yevdokiya Lopukhina, Peter the Great's first wife. Alas, four years later he confined her to the Novodevichy Convent and exiled her family to Siberia, which accounts for the delay in its completion.
The monastery grounds boast Moscow's oldest stone structure, the Cathedral of the Savior (Spasskiy sobor), built in 1420-27. The shape of the dome and the triple apses reflect early medieval Vladimir architecture, while the pyramid of zakomary and kokoshniki reflect the early Moscow style. The original interiors were sadly lost in a fire in 1812, but fragments of their frescoes have been restored. Outside, the weathered stone facade is topped with a relief of the Savior.
The Andrei Rublev Museum houses a collection of historic icons in several buildings.
Getting There
Take trolleybus #47 or #53 along Nikoloyamskaya ulitsa to Andronevskaya ploschad. Alternatively, take the metro to Ploschad Ilicha, then ride the same trolleybus in the other direction. On foot, walk along Bolshaya Kommunisticheskaya ulitsa, which is lined with the two-story 19th-century houses of the prosperous Old Believers.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Andronik Monastery; Andronikov Monastery; Spaso-Andronikov monastyr |
| Type of site: | Christian monastery |
| Faith: | Russian Orthodox |
| Date: | Founded 1360 |
| Address: | 10 Andronevskaya Pl., Moscow, Russia |
| Phone: | 095/911-4502 |
| Metro: | Ploshchad Ilyicha |
| Hours: | Daily 11-6; closed Wed and the last Fri of each month |
| Cost: | $3 |
Sources
- The Rough Guide to Moscow, 4th ed. (April 2005), 244-45.
- Andronikov Monastery - Moscow-Taxi.com
- Andronikov Monastyr - Fodor's Online Travel Guide
- Spaso-Andronikov Monastery - Xenophongi.org
Travel Resources
- Moscow Interactive Map - Sacred Destinations
- Moscow Travel Forum - TripAdvisor
- Moscow Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor
- Moscow Car Rentals - AutoEurope
