The grounds of Novodevichy Convent are so serene you can almost forget you are in the middle of Russia's largest city. The convent was built by the Grand Prince of Moscow in the 16th century in commemoration of his successful campaign winning Smolensk from Lithuania. Accordingly, the main cathedral in the complex, Smolensky Cathedral, is dedicated to Our Lady of Smolensk, an icon of Mary housed in the Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk (and possibly destroyed in the Second World War). Near the cathedral is a visually arresting, six-tiered, red and white belltower built during the 17th century in the same Muscovite Baroque style that can be seen throughout the convent. I'm happy to hear the belltower escaped serious damage when scaffolding caught on fire during repair work in 2015. The entire convent complex was beautiful to observe, and I wish I had had more time to explore, but, like some of the other reviewers, I was with a tour group and thus on a schedule when I visited over a decade ago. If in Moscow, this site is most definitely worth a visit.

Logistics: Novodevichy Convent can be reached by automobile or by Metro (via the Sportivnaya station).