Saint Nicholas Monastery, Staraya Ladoga, Orthodox monastery in Staraya Ladoga, Russia

The Saint Nicholas Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery for men on the bank of the Volkhov River in Staraya Ladoga, Russia. Its grounds hold a cathedral crowned by rounded domes, a freestanding bell tower, and several other monastic buildings arranged around a common yard.

The monastery appears in written records for the first time in a tax document from 1496, though local tradition links its foundation to Alexander Nevsky following a military victory in the 13th century. Over the following centuries it grew into a religious center within one of the oldest trading towns in Russia.

The monastery is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, archbishop of Myra, and tradition links its founding to Alexander Nevsky's victory over the Swedes on the Neva in 1240. Its main cathedral was consecrated three times in the 16th century, at intervals of twelve years, each time after repairs. Since 2002 a monastic community has again lived here, blessed by Patriarch Alexy II.

The monastery sits on an open riverside site within walking distance of the center of Staraya Ladoga, which is itself accessible from Volkhov station by local bus or taxi. The grounds are mostly open and uneven, so sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are a good idea.

The monastery's oldest surviving structure, the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, was rebuilt in the mid-17th century after Swedish raids; only the lower parts of its walls and pillars remain from the original building, and it was reconsecrated on 8 December 1668. In 1692 Tikhvin craftsmen added an octagonal bell tower with a wooden tent roof between the church and the refectory.