One of the most famous Orthodox monasteries in Ukraine is the Holy Cross Monastery in Poltava. It was founded in 1650, when the means of Poltava Colonel M.Pushkarya, Cossack and local residents began construction of the Monastery.

Since the late 18th century. the monastery was the southernmost among regimental monasteries Hetman, it is often subjected to various raids and looting. So in 1695 the monastery was captured and devastated by the Crimean Tatars in 1709 was ravaged by Swedish troops (during the Northern War, it housed the headquarters of the Swedish King Charles XII).

The first monastery buildings were made of wood and only in 1699 began construction of a stone of Holy Cross Cathedral. This semikupolny cruciform temple has become one of the best examples of Ukrainian Baroque and was consecrated in 1756. Making the temple was carried out during the second half of the 18th century, but, unfortunately, all the unique iconostasis were destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1933. Next in 1750 was It built a small-dome Church of the Trinity. In 1786 it was built 47-meter chetyrehyarusnaya bell tower, which became the decoration of the monastery.

In addition to the facilities on the territory of the monastery is also Semyonovskaya-dome church, built in 1887, and a group of one-storey monastic cells and utility rooms - the abbot of the house, the house of fraternal cells, hospice and others.

It abolished the monastery in 1923, and in 1942 during the occupation restores its activities have as a convent. In 1960 it was closed again, and the nuns moved to Lebedinsky monastery. In 1991, Holy Cross Monastery again resumes its activities as a female cenobitic.

Located on a hill, separated from the city of the river and surrounded by a strong stone wall Cross Monastery resembles a fortress.