TO SEE
MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART
ИСТОРИКО-ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННЫЙ МУЗЕЙ
About
Serpukhov Museum boasts the collection of art larger than in any other museum of Moscow Region. The museum occupies a splendid 19-th century mansion on Chekhova St. which once belonged to a rich merchant family of Maraev. Maraev were avid collectors, and in the course of the 19th century accumulated hundreds of paintings, icons, books, ceramics, and furniture. The majority of objects we see today in the museum come from several houses which belonged to Maraev family, and also from other estates in the region which were looted by peasants after the revolution. The collection is truly spectacular, you wouldn't imagine to find famous works of Vasnetsov, Levitan, Serov, Shishkin, Goncharova, and many other celebrated Russian painters. They also have a decent collection of medieval Old Believers icons (Maraev belonged to the Old Believers' community), 18th-century French paintings, and even a torch lamp which once belonged to Napolen, but after the Russian troops entered Paris in 1814, was brought from the palace in Paris to Moscow, and sold at an auction to Maraev.
Info
87 Chekhova St. (ул. Чехова, д. 87)
Go to Website (only in Russian)
+7 4967 35 26 70
+7 964 700 01 13
Tue 1pm-8pm (last admission at 7.3opm), Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (last admission at 4.30pm). Closed on Mondays
Average visit duration: 2h
Accessible to English speakers
Audioguides in English
General 220₽. Photography 150₽, video 500₽
Cash only
VYSOTSKY MONASTERY
ВЫСОЦКИЙ МОНАСТЫРЬ
About
Vysotsky Monastery stands on the high bank of the Nara River, and offers panoramic views over the southern part of Serpukhov. Founded in 1374 by the prince of Serpukhov, Vystotsky Monastery is the second oldest monastery in the city. In fact, in medieval times, the city grew around the two ancient monasteries, and even today you can still see how the area around the monastery is more developed than an adject neighbourhoud closer to the centre. The monastery instantly became a pilgrimage destination as it was blessed by the famous spiritual leader and monastic reformer Sergius of Radonezh. It was also a stronghold that protected southern borders of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. In Soviet times, the monastery was first converted into a concentration camp, and later housed various state organisations and served as barracks. When the Russian Orthodox church got the monastery back in the 1991, most of its churches and cathedrals were in advance state of disrepair. Since then, the monastery has been restored, and is now a popular destination both for tourists and pilgrims. The latter often come here to pray in front of the icon of the Inexhaustible Chalice, which is believed to cure alcoholism.
Info
5/3 Kaluzhskaya St. (ул. Калужская, д. 5/3)
Go to Website (only in Russian)
+7 4967 72 57 97
Mon-Fri 5.30m-7pm, Sat-Sun 7.30am-7pm. When there's an evening service the monastery stays open until 8pm.
Average visit duration: 30min
Free admission
Tips: there's a café outside the monastery, next to the gates, selling pastry baked in the monastery, and tea.
VLADYCHNY CONVENT
ВЛАДЫЧНЫЙ ВВЕДЕНСКИЙ ЖЕНСКИЙ МОНАСТЫРЬ
About
The oldest monastery in Serpukhov, Vladychny stands on the less developed left bank of the Nara river, surrounded by the bleak Soviet residential blocks. The convent is a rival of Vysotsky monastery, as it also possesses yet another icon of the Inexhaustible Chalice which is believed to be effective against alcholism. The convent is also known for its delicious homemade kvass which is only sold during the summer, and bread and pastry sold in several bakeries on the territory of the convent. Moreover, the inhabitants of the convent became the symbol of the city, and are still depicted on its coat of arms. The story has it that in the 17th century a couple of peacocks were given to the monastery, and later grew into a flock. When Catherine the Great decided to give each city its own coat of arms, she ordered for each city to choose its own distinctive symbol, and Serpukhov chose peacock. The descendants of those peacocks still live on the territory of the monastery, and you'll definitely see them if you walk from the gates towards the cathderals.
Info
40 Oktyabrskaya St. (ул. Октябрьская, д. 40)
The convent is located quite far from other attractions and the historical centre of Serpukhov. It's a good 30min walk from the centre, if you don't want to walk, catch bus 4 which goes from the Serpukhov railway station, and stops on Volodarskogo St. in the centre.
Go to Website (only in Russian)
+7 4967 72 46 25
Mon-Sun 7am-7pm (depending on the service, it can close earlier or later)
Average visit duration: 40min
Free admission
Tips: there's a café, and several bakeries selling bread and pastry made by the nuns.