Tikhvin assumption monastery was founded by Tsar Ivan the terrible, dated 11 February 1560 Novgorod Archbishop Pimen. The main relic of the monastery is the miraculous Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God Hodegetria. In the 1920s, the monastery was closed, and the miraculous icon was exhibited at the local Museum. During the great Patriotic war the city was only for a brief time occupied by German troops, but during the retreat they brought the icon to Pskov, where he passed the Pskov spiritual mission, then the icon came to Riga, Libau, Jablonec, the American occupation zone in Germany, and then Bishop John (Garklavs) took her to Chicago (USA). Dying, father John left a will, by which the return of the relics in Russia is only possible through the revival of the Tikhvin monastery. In 1995 the monastery was transferred to the Church of the Dormition Cathedral was restored and consecrated, and in 2004 the icon was returned to the monastery.

Despite alterations and improvements for nearly 500 years, Tikhvin Uspensky Cathedral and today retains an important role in the overall ensemble of the city thanks to its solemnity and monumentality. The Cathedral was built by the Moscow Prince Vasily III. Until our days are partially preserved frescos inside the Cathedral of Novgorod, Tikhvin and iconographers.

One of the interesting buildings of the monastery - bell tower of the XVII century with the adjoining Refectory and the intercession Church in the South-Western corner of the monastery's yard. Built in 1600, later it was severely damaged by fire in the eighteenth century and was rebuilt. Then there were the tent spires.

Refectory interesting layout and design of its main premises: one-pillar hall of the refectory is reminiscent of the faceted chamber in the Moscow Kremlin. At the end of the XVI century in the monastery after the Refectory and the intercession Church, built the Holy gate with the gate Church of the ascension and the chapel of Theodore Stratelates.

Built in the XVII century Holy cross Church was rebuilt in the XIX century by the famous Petersburg architect N. L. Benois. According to his project made the Church and chapel in the Western tower of the convent wall.

In the former Archimandrite and State cells Tikhvin Big assumption monastery is the exposition of the Tikhvin historical and architectural Museum.