The first and the largest monastery of St. Petersburg. Alexander Nevsky Monastery is located between the rivers Neva, Monastyrka and by-channel, is an oasis of Russian spiritual life at the Monastery island. At the spot where the Black River, and now Monastyrka, flows into the Neva River, July 15, 1240 there was a battle squads Alexander Nevsky with the Swedish army. In honor of the memory of the victory over the Swedes in 1704 Peter I had decided to build a monastery on this place and decided to give it a name – the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Monastery. Prince Alexander Nevsky was canonized by the church for their good deeds for the Fatherland.
In the middle of the 18th century were built several buildings, including the Metropolitan building, seminars, Prosfornye body. Also designed a circular area in front of the entrance to the monastery.
In 1720, when the monastery opened a printing house. Later in the monastery a seminary, transformed over time into the Theological Academy, which operates today. Decree of Paul I in 1797, the monastery has acquired the status of Lavra.
Trinity Cathedral, built in the time of Peter, was dismantled in 1753-55 years. The present building in the early classicism style was built in the reign of Catherine II and consecrated August 30, 1790; at the same time he moved to the relics of St. Vol. Alexander Nevsky Church of the Annunciation monastery.
Adjacent to the Church of the Annunciation Hall northeastern Corps in 1819-22 years. were joined on the project by VP Petrov in two tiers of windows living room with an altar, called the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Dukhovskaya church). On the altar sides
Fedorovsky housing in 1889-91 years. designed by GI Karpov was added tomb of Metropolitan Isidor (Nikolsky), consecrated in the name of Ven. Isidore Pelusiota. Despite some of the more recent additions to the architectural appearance of the monastery continues to dominate the Baroque – a style in which sustained housing cloister.