The Alexeyevsky Monastery is an ancient monastery in Uglich, located on a hill known as Fire Mountain. It is believed that there was a pagan shrine here in the past.

History of the Alexeyevsky Monastery

Before the monastery was built, there was an ancient shrine from the pre-Slavic period at this site. The monastery was founded by monk Adrian in 1371 with the blessing of Dmitry Donskoy and Metropolitan Alexy. Initially, it was a male monastery dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, later renamed Alexeyevsky Monastery. All the buildings of the monastery were wooden, including the fence that protected the entrance to the city. In 1537, the first brick church was built here, which was completely rebuilt in the 19th century, so almost nothing remains of the original monastery.

In the early 17th century, the monastic brotherhood and townspeople bravely defended themselves against Polish-Lithuanian invaders. Angered by the resistance, the invaders set fire to the monastery, killing most of the people inside. The survivors were bricked up in the basement. However, the invaders were expelled, and in memory of the dead, the Dormition Church was built, nicknamed the Wonderful for its beauty. This was the first stone church erected in Russia after the Time of Troubles.

By the time of the October Revolution, the monastery was a wealthy estate. It was closed in 1920, but the Wonderful Church was not destroyed. The Bolsheviks dismantled the fence and destroyed the cemetery. In the 1930s, the monastery was closed, some buildings were used as housing, while others were repurposed for garages and offices. Over time, the buildings deteriorated and were looted. Fortunately, in the mid-20th century, restoration began, and by 1961, the monastery was restored. After the return of the Russian Orthodox Church, services resumed here.

Structure of the Alexeyevsky Monastery Complex

The monastery has several churches, including the Church of John the Baptist built in 1681. This small building has five domes on slender towers. The facade is decorated with tiles considered the best in Uglich. There are no ancient frescoes here, as the painting was updated in the early 19th century.

The Alexeyevskaya Church was built in the early 16th century and restored after the Time of Troubles. A refectory and the Chapel of the Epiphany were added to it. After the revolution, an art gallery was housed here. The monastery courtyard had utility buildings and a necropolis where monks and noble townspeople were buried. Now flowers and nearly 1500 rose bushes grow here, creating extraordinary beauty in the summer.

Relics of the Alexeyevsky Monastery

Today, the monastery is an active women's convent with an orphanage for girls. Pilgrims are attracted by the relics, especially the icon of the Mother of God of the Gatekeeper of Uglich, known as the Unquenchable Candle. Legend has it that a merchant from St. Petersburg, after receiving a vision, came to Uglich, prayed before the icon, and was healed. In gratitude, he commissioned an expensive robe for the icon.

Another revered icon is the image of Saint Nicholas from Mount Athos. In the 1930s, when the monastery was closed, local residents hid the icon. Later, it ended up in an antique shop but was returned to the monastery thanks to the efforts of parishioners.

How to Get to the Alexeyevsky Monastery?

The monastery is located in Uglich at: Sharkova St., 27. You can reach it by car or taxi using the coordinates: 57.52603, 38.33118. Entry is free, but it is better to check the schedule of services on-site. Tourists note that it is deserted here during the day, but the Dormition Church is open, where you can pray and light a candle.