The Holy Spirit Monastery stands in the northern part of Putyvl, on the territory of the ancient Staryi horod above the Seim. This is an original religious complex, which includes the main church – the Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral, erected in 1617–1693 – and the gate Church of the Exaltation of the Cross and bell tower of 1697–1707. Once there was a nunnery here, connected with the history of the Moscow Tsarevna Sophia.
The cathedral built for nearly a century
The Saviour Transfiguration Cathedral was built for more than seventy years – from 1617 to 1693. It became the main church of the women's monastery and one of the oldest masonry structures in Putyvl. At the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, combined with a bell tower, was erected above the entrance to the monastery courtyard: such gate churches were characteristic of fortified monasteries of that time.
A tsarevna in a cell
According to legend, in the late 17th century, Moscow Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna, imprisoned after the Streltsy Uprising, was held in one of the monastery's cells. It is known that Sophia spent her imprisonment in the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, so the Putyvl story is rather a local legend that testifies to the significance of the abode.
Staryi horod above the Seim
The monastery is located in Staryi horod, the historical core of Putyvl, which offers a view of the Seim floodplain. Nearby stand the St. Nicholas Cossack Church and the Molchensky Monastery, and on the rampart of the ancient fortress, according to the "Tale of Igor's Campaign", Yaroslavna awaited news of Prince Igor.
How to get there
Putyvl is in Konotop Raion, 60 km from Konotop. The monastery is in the northern part of the city, in Staryi horod.
What to consider
The Putyvl hromada lies near the border with Russia and is subject to shelling. Before travelling, check the security situation and the restrictions of the Sumy RMA.
