Alexander-Nevsky Lavra

This monastery was founded by order of Peter I in 1710 on the site where according to legend; Prince Alexander Nevsky defeated the Swedish army in 1241. In 1724 the relics of the saintly, pious Prince Alexander Nevsky were transferred to the monastery and Peter I took part in solemn ceremony. Under him, Alexander-Nevsky Monastery occupied a position higher than that of all other Orthodox monasteries in Russia. The Monastery received the status of Lavra (the highest Orthodox rank) in 1797.