Transfiguration Monastery, Novhorod-Siverskyi
Walls of the 17th century, a cathedral by Quarenghi and the reserve of The Tale of Ihor's Campaign on the border.
By legend the monastery was founded in the 11th century by Prince Mstyslav Volodymyrovych; the oldest surviving buildings — the gate tower-belfry, the abbot's quarters with the Church of St Elijah and the residential block — date to the 16th century. In 1635 a collegium opened at the monastery, and in the 17th century the palace block with a refectory and masonry defensive walls with towers over 800 metres in perimeter were built. The Transfiguration Cathedral was built in 1790–1796 to a design by Giacomo Quarenghi. The monastery was closed in 1918; since 1990 it has housed the museum-reserve of The Tale of Ihor's Campaign, the house was reopened in 1999 and restoration completed in 2004.
The reserve is open 8:00–17:00, ticket 100 UAH. Novhorod-Siverskyi is a border town under constant drone and artillery strikes, and the siren often comes late: go only with the security situation in mind.