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The Antoniev monastery is one of the most picturesque places in Novgorod. According to legend it was founded in 1106 by Anthony of Rome. This legend, as all other monastery legends, is quite impossible, though very attractive. Anthony was born in Rome in 1067 to a wealthy family. At the age of 18 he became a monk, gathered all his wealth - gold and silver coins - put it into a barrel and threw the barrel into the sea. Twenty years later he retired to a cliff, praying for the salvation of Orthodoxy. Once a great storm arose and the stone on which Anthony was praying, glided over the sea as a boat. Two days later, on the day of the Virgin's Nativity, he found himself in Novgorod. The place where the saint was washed onto the shore was later chosen as the spot for building the monastery. Several days afterwards fishermen caught the barrel with coins. There was enough money in it for the construction of a stone church and to purchase the necessary land.

Indeed, the chronicles tell us about the foundation of a stone cathedral of the Virgin's Nativity in the year 1117 (the first fixed date in the history of the monastery). The monumental paintings, which appeared in 1125, three years after the construction was over, present probably the most significant ensemble of Novgorod frescos of the 12th century both in number and uniqueness of style. Especially impressive is the Annunciation scene with busts of the four healers Flor, Lavr, Kir and Ioann, placed on the western bounds of the eastern pair. The coloring is based on a combination of bright primary colors. The paintings of the cathedral still give rise to arguments among experts in the area: some scientists see here serious influence of the Roman style while the majority include them among the monuments of the Byzantine tradition which had formed its own special artistic style.

The real history of the monastery is typical for the Middle Ages: it was repeatedly burned down and rebuilt again, and in 1570 the abbot and all the monks were slaughtered by an oprichnina brigade, and in 1611 it was devastated by the Swedes.

Many icons from the cathedral of the Virgin's Nativity have survived till our days. They have all been restored and the most interesting ones are exhibited at the exposition of old Russian painting.

In the western side-church of the church, next to the legendary stone belonging to Anthony of Rome, 10 bells from St. Sophia belfry (16th- 19th centuries), which have been recently returned to Novgorod, are on display.