Zverin Monastery, Orthodox monastery in Veliky Novgorod, Russia
Zverin Monastery is an Orthodox monastery in Veliky Novgorod located on the left bank of the Volkhov River and containing multiple churches and religious structures within a walled complex. The site displays architectural features from different periods that reflect the development of Russian Orthodox building traditions.
The monastery was established in 1148 and developed into an important religious center over subsequent centuries. The Church of Saint Simeon, built in 1467, preserves original paintings from the 15th century that show the artistic standards of that era.
The monastery has served Orthodox believers for centuries and displays architectural styles from different periods that developed over time. The painted walls inside the churches show local artistic traditions that remain visible to visitors walking through the complex.
The site is located north of the Kremlin and currently functions as a seminary for the Novgorod eparchy, which means some areas may not be accessible to visitors during study periods. It is helpful to check in advance which parts of the complex are open to the public.
The name comes from Zverinets, a wooded area mentioned in chronicles from 1069, which was several decades before the monastery was built. This early mention shows the location had significance as a place before the religious complex was constructed.
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