The monastery was founded by Grand Duke Vasily III on May 13, 1524. For two centuries, females were imprisoned in this place. The monastery ensemble has not changed much since the 16th and 17th centuries.

The monastery does not have a single shop with souvenirs or objects of worship — this distinguishes it from many other monasteries. Here you can only meet leisurely strolling citizens with children who love to feed ducks. By the way, a monument to these ducks has been erected here.

It is especially beautiful and good in Novodevichy at sunset.

At the monastery, you can also ask for a wish to come true. On the tower of Tsarevna Sophia, people leave notes for help — for example, to regain health or successfully pass a diploma. It is also believed that by touching the tower, you will receive the blessing of Sophia herself, the intelligent sister of Peter the Great, whom the autocrat considered so dangerous that he imprisoned in a monastery.