Transfiguration Monastery - located in the northeast of the city of Staraya Russa, belongs to the Novgorod diocese. Polist stands on the River, near its right bank. At first, the monastery was called "in Rousse on the tenements," then Spassky and the Saviour.

In ancient times, he was acting and was designed to serve as a refuge for the peasants. The monastery was founded during the reign of Prince Yaroslav. The first mention in the Novgorod Chronicle relate to 1192. The chronicle says about the foundation of the monastery abbot Martyr (passed away in 1199). Later, it became known as Rushanin because he was born of Rousseau. At first, he built a small one-story wooden church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. But soon there was a fire, and a wooden church burned down.

In 1193, already in the rank of archbishop, Martyrios in place of the burnt church ordered to build a new stone church. The Archbishop Martyrios consecrated in the day of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. In the mid-15th century it almost completely dismantled and rebuilt. In the late 17th and early 19th centuries, it has also repeatedly rebuilt. In the future, the monastery has repeatedly undergone attack by the Lithuanians and the Swedes. In the early 17th century monastery on its territory was a wooden church and two stone. Inside the temple was a rich decoration and dear church utensils. Near the temple bell tower was built. After the attack, the Swedes, the monastery was ruined. In 1628-1630-ies it was restored and expanded. The main church was rebuilt near built, except for those that were before, three other stone temple.

By the end of the thirties of the 18th century in the monastery were three stone churches, at one of which had a kitchen, dining hall and pantry, as well as the bell tower, rooms with arhimandrichimi, fraternal, hospital and living monastic cells, various outbuildings. Around the monastery was built fence. In the 18th century the monastery was assigned to the other monasteries: Kozmodemyansk, Leohnovsky, Cratchit Nicholas. At the same time in the Holy Transfiguration Monastery Archimandrite typed.

In the early 19th century, the monastery was founded a religious school. In this regard, in 1892 the college was transferred to Church of the Nativity. They also built some stone buildings and stone wall with small towers. The main entrance was on the Alexander Street that housed the south gate, and the Church of All Saints on them, which was later abolished.

In 1880-1890-ies it was built a large new cathedral in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God Starorusskaya. The icon was returned to the city in 1888. Prior to that, from 1570, this shrine was Tikhvin. Also we built several new buildings of stone. On the eastern side of the monastery were located garden and the cemetery where famous people were allowed to bury the city, though, for a fee.

In the 20s of the 20th century the monastery was abolished. Despite this, most of the buildings remained intact. But later, during the Soviet era and World War II the monastery was badly damaged. In 1930 the bell tower spire was removed, and after a year and a bell. The bell tower is one of the few remaining specimens stolpoobraznoe temple under the bells.

During the Second World War there was a German military commander. The war has caused great damage to the monastery buildings. Many buildings were destroyed, and the remaining buildings badly damaged. Therefore, some time later, after the war, in the 60s, the monastery was restored. After that was opened museum.

Today, the monastery ensemble includes four stone temple two stone buildings of the 19th century, and the skeleton of the cathedral Starorusskaya Mother of God. After its reconstruction in the 20th century it housed a sports school.

Earlier in the temple were many shrines, among which were the relics of saints and fifty. Today, their whereabouts are unknown. There was also a rich utensils, old gospel, crosses and icons.