In the city of Suzdal, one of the banks of the river Kamenka Alexander is an old monastery. According to ancient legend, it was built with the support of Alexander Nevsky, because in 1240 he decided to build a monastery in honor of the victory over the Swedish troops and sanctify him in the name of his guardian angel.

It is known that in the 14th century the monastery enjoyed great popularity among the princes of Moscow, for example, he Ivan Kalita and his son Ivan bequeathed the monastery large land holdings. From that moment Alexander convent soon became a male, became known as "The Great Lavra." It is believed that during this time period was the burial place of abode intended for Suzdal princesses, because it demonstrates conclusively few surviving tombstones, which had inscriptions - Agrippina (1362) and Maria (1363).

The first buildings were made of wood, and to date have not been preserved. Beginning in 1608 and ending in 1610 years, the Polish-Lithuanian army literally completely burned Suzdal, and with it the Alexander monastery. It took many decades, when the long-awaited revival of the monastery. In 1695, the Metropolitan of Suzdal received by Natalia - the mother of Peter the Great and the Queen - the funds for the purpose of erecting a new church with a bell tower, which after the construction was consecrated in the name of the feast of the Ascension.

In the first decades of the 18th century one of the most popular and talented artists Suzdal I. Gryaznov own hedged Alexandrovsky monastery high stone fence, equipped with towers that have been elegantly stylized defenses; this man has built, and Holy Gates.

In mid-1764, when Empress Catherine II to carry out reforms concerning the secularization of land was provided for the closure of a number of monasteries. According to the preserved sources Alexander monastery to be abolished, while the main church of the monastery - Ascension - began to operate as a parish.

In late 2006, Alexander monastery was placed under the authority of Vladimir-Suzdal diocese, so he once again resumed its work only as a monastery.

When the monastery is the bell tower, which is located next to the Church of the Ascension. Bell Tower can be seen from afar, it affects his height and stateliness because slender tent. The uniqueness of the bell tower is that it is the only one in the whole of Suzdal, built according to the marquee types and completely free of façade ornaments. For the typical octagonal belfry massive pillar, which put up a small low bushel, almost completely devoid of through-colored design. The tent is decorated using a humble arched doorways and window openings fitted with hearing; it perfectly emphasizes the clean and smooth the edge of the quadrangle. On the very top of the belfry you can see the amazing beauty of the panorama that opens all the neighborhoods of the city of Suzdal.

Alexander monastery around the perimeter is surrounded by brick wall, built in the 18th century; She survived only by some fragments, as well as the main gate, equipped with gate tower. Appearance goal is very simple - there are two octagon, which are set against each other and blocked using tёsa. In the first tier of the gate is placed traversed a wide arch, with the top of the tower is crowned by a small dome. It is important to note that absolutely no coincidence that the whole ensemble of the gate is very similar to Holy Gates Rizopolozhensky famous monastery. Both objects are designed and build the same master named Ivan Gryaznov, who played a key role in the construction of the monastery Rizopolozhensky.

One of the most important churches of the monastery is the Alexander Voznesensky cathedral, which is today known as the Cathedral of Alexandria. The temple has two chapels, one of which is warm and designed for worship in the winter season.