# New Jerusalem Monastery

- **Country:** Russia
- **Year Built:** 1656-1697
- **Location Text:** Moscow Oblast

The New Jerusalem Monastery, also known as the Resurrection Monastery, is a major Russian Orthodox complex located in Istra, Moscow Oblast, Russia. Founded in 1656 by Patriarch Nikon, the site was intentionally designed to replicate the Holy Land, with the local River Istra symbolizing the Jordan River and the architecture representing sacred Jerusalem sites. Established as a patriarchal residence, the monastery was intended to embody multinational Orthodoxy, leading Nikon to recruit monks of non-Russian origin. Although construction remained unfinished at Nikon's death in 1681, the royal family, specifically Tsarevna Tatyana and Regent Sophia, oversaw the completion of the buildings, which were consecrated in 1685.

Historically significant for its vast library, the monastery housed approximately 13,000 volumes by the time of secularization in 1764. The complex faced severe turmoil in the twentieth century, closing in 1918 before being repurposed for various museums. During World War II in 1941, retreating German forces ransacked the grounds and destroyed its unique great belfry. For decades following the war, the site served primarily as a museum for history, arts, and regional studies rather than an active religious community.

In recent years, the monastery has undergone a dramatic transformation. A large-scale restoration project conducted between 2010 and 2016 aimed to repair the extensive damage suffered during the war and subsequent neglect. Today, the New Jerusalem Monastery stands as a reconstructed landmark that continues to attract visitors interested in its unique architectural symbolism and turbulent past. The settlement that grew around the monastery eventually became the modern town of Istra, ensuring the site remains a central cultural and historical pillar of the region.

![Photo of New Jerusalem Monastery](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/New_Jerusalem_3.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jerusalem_Monastery (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)