Visit to St Alexander Nevsky Lavra

The St Alexander Nevsky Lavra was the first and largest monastery in St Petersburg, founded in 1713 by the order of Peter the Great.

In 1723, the Emperor decided to transfer the relics of Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to St Petersburg. The reliquary remained in Shlisselburg for a year, until on September 12, 1724, it was solemnly installed in the Annunciation Church of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Peter the Great personally participated in the transfer of the relics. Since then, the Faithful Saint Prince Alexander has been revered as the heavenly patron of the city.

After October 1917, the monastery was closed, and its premises housed several state institutions. Services in the Holy Trinity Cathedral did not resume until 1957. In 1990, the monastery complex was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and its buildings were transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church.

In accordance with the order of the Ministry of Culture, the silver reliquary of St Alexander Nevsky was transferred to the Lavra and relocated from State Hermitage to the Annunciation Church. Upon completion of repairs and restoration works, the entire etomb will be moved to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, to the exact place where the relics were held in the 19^th century.