The Snetogorsky Monastery sits on a high rocky promontory above the Velikaya River about 4 kilometres north of the city centre, surrounded by pines. Founded in the late 13th century, it was one of the most important monasteries in medieval Pskov and the burial place of local princes.
The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, built in 1311, contains remarkable 14th-century frescoes that were rediscovered and partially restored in the 20th century. The painting style is among the oldest surviving examples of Pskovian fresco work. The setting — high above the river, with views across the water — makes it worth the short journey from the city even if the interior is not accessible.