The history of the monastery is closely connected with the history of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Smolensk, according to the legend written by St. Luke with the blessing of the Blessed Virgin. Grand Prince of Moscow Vasily III founded a monastery on a vow in 1524 after the return of Smolensk to the Russian state. And today, in the heart of the monastery ensemble we see the powerful head of the Smolensk Cathedral - the witness of those times.