Novodevichy Convent, Moscow

Photograph of the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow. The convent is surrounded by a fortified wall and has a four storey gatehouse with five small onion domes. At the centre of the convent is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Smolensk which has five onion domes mounted with crosses. To the left is a tall octagonal bell tower. There is a road in the foreground with cows to the right.

The Novodevichy Convent was founded in 1524 to commemorate the conquest of Smolensk. This is one of a series of photographs taken by Corporal J Mack during the coronation celebrations of Alexander II, Emperor of Russia. He was part of a group of British representatives led by Lord Granville.