One of Russia’s great Orthodox shrines, the Saint Alexander Nevsky Monastery (Lavra), has a history which coincides with the start of the construction of St. Petersburg itself. For three centuries believers have been visiting the monastery and just as they did hundreds of years ago, they travel here to find, practice and strengthen their faith and to pray to venerated icons. Nowadays the Alexander Nevsky Monastery is an active monastery of the St. Petersburg Diocese. Pilgrims and tourists travel here year-round from the farthest corners of the earth in order to see the house of prayer. It was founded by Peter the Great and has since become a symbol of the city and one of the most famous monasteries in Russia. This Russian Travel Guide programme explores the history of the construction of the esteemed monastery, looks at its life over the years and checks out the lavra’s old necropolis where some of the country’s most outstanding military leaders, writers and artists are buried.