Tikhvin Assumption Monastery was founded by Tsar Ivan the Terrible from the February 11, 1560 by Archbishop Pimen of Novgorod .  The main relic of the monastery is the miracle-working Tikhvin Icon of the Holy Mother .  In 1920 the monastery was closed, and the miraculous icon became a local history museum exhibit .  During World War II the city was only for a short time occupied by German troops, but during the retreat they took the icon to Pskov, where they handed the Pskov spiritual mission, then brought it to Riga, Libau, Jablonec, the American occupation zone in Germany, from where Bishop John (Garklav) brought her in Chicago (USA) .  Dying, the father of John left a will in which the return of holy sites in Russia is possible only with the full revival of Tikhvin Monastery .  In 1995, the monastery was transferred to the Church, the Assumption Cathedral restored and consecrated, and in 2004 the icon was returned to the monastery .

Despite the adjustment and reconstruction for almost 500 years, Tikhvin Assumption Cathedral and today retains an important role in the overall ensemble of the city because of its solemnity and monumentality. The cathedral was built yet in the Moscow prince Vasily III. Up to now partially preserved frescoes, executed inside the cathedral and Novgorod Tikhvinskye Ikonnikov.

One of the most interesting buildings of the monastery - the belfry of the XVII century with the adjoining Refectory and Church of the Intercession in the southwest corner of the cloister. Built in 1600, later it was severely damaged by fire in the XVIII century and was rebuilt. Then there were the tent spiers.

The building of the refectory interesting layout and design of its main room: One-room dining room reminiscent of the Faceted Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin. At the end of the XVI century in the monastery after the Refectory and Church of the Intercession built Holy Gates with Gate Church of the Assumption and the Chapel of Theodore.

Built in the XVII century Holy Cross Church was rebuilt in the XIX century. designed by the famous St. Petersburg architect NL Benois. He also made the project a church and a chapel in the western tower of the monastery wall.

In the former Arhimandrichih and state cells of Tikhvin Assumption Monastery is located Greater exposure Tikhvin historical and architectural museum.