Architecture sights in Kyiv
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Kievo-Pecherska Lavra
Tourists and Orthodox pilgrims alike flock to the Kievo-Pecherska Lavra. It’s easy to see why the tourists come. Set on 28 hectares of grassy hills above the Dnipro River, the monastery’s tight cluster of gold-domed churches is a feast for the eyes, the hoard of Scythian gold rivals that of the Hermitage in St Petersburg, and the underground labyrinths lined with mummified monks are exotic and intriguing.
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Andriyivsky uzviz
It says a lot for Andriyivsky uzviz that it has retained its charm despite the souvenir stalls overflowing on its cobblestones. Historically this curving incline linked the high ground of the administrative centre, or Upper Town, to Podil. Nowadays it's frequented by purveyors of Ukrainian crafts, Soviet memorabilia, Yuri Gagarin T-shirts and the occasional stunning photo of Kyiv. Yet the quaint houses and crooked pavements still give the place plenty of atmosphere.
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Dormition Cathedral
Back out on the main path, you can't miss the seven gleaming gold domes of the Dormition Cathedral , a year-2000 replica of the famous and sacred original. To this day historians are unsure whether the Nazis or the Soviets were responsible for blowing up the original. You can enter the church only during services, typically held Saturday afternoons at 17:00 and Sunday mornings at 07:00. The big rock in the square between the cathedral and the bell tower is a fragment of the original cathedral.
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Vydubytsky Monastery
Few churches appear more frozen in time than those of the Vydubytsky Monastery, nestled into the hill’s dense foliage beneath the botanical gardens. The monastery, which is thought to be at least as old as Kyiv, is looking in fine fettle today after centuries of catastrophes followed by years of Soviet neglect. The monastery is home to a small community of monks who, quite frankly, have chosen a much more monk-friendly place to practise their faith.
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E
Trinity Gate Church
The main entrance to the Caves Monastery's upper lavra is through the striking Trinity Gate Church, a rather well-preserved piece of early-12th-century Rus architecture. Rebuilt in the 18th century, it once doubled as a watchtower and as part of the monastery fortifications. It's well worth going inside to observe its rich frescoes and lavish gilded altar. To access the church turn left immediately after entering through the main gate.
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St Sophia’s Cathedral
The interior is the most astounding aspect of Kyiv’s oldest standing church, St Sophia’s Cathedral. Many of the mosaics and frescoes are original, dating back to 1017–31, when the cathedral was built to celebrate Prince Yaroslav’s victory in protecting Kyiv from the Pechenegs, tribal raiders.
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Church of Mykola Prytysko
The Church of Mykola Prytysko survived the 1811 fire that destroyed much of Podil. This 1631 church is the oldest structure in the district and is surrounded by several pastel-coloured brick buildings exhibiting the eclectic style in vogue in Kyiv at the end of the 19th century.
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H
St Nicholas Naberezhny
Church lovers will find several attractive and historic specimens in Podil. Right on the river is St Nicholas Naberezhny, dedicated to Nicholas Naberezhny (Nicholas by the River), the patron saint of sailors and others journeying along the river to do business.
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Florivsky Monastery
Florivsky Monastery is a 15th-century women’s convent that defiantly remained open during the communist era. Pass through the bell tower to the grounds, which contain several attractive churches. Dress appropriately to enter the grounds.
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St Michael’s Gold-Domed Monastery
St Michael’s Gold-Domed Monastery is named after Kyiv’s patron saint. As the impossibly shiny cupolas imply, this is a fresh (2001) copy of the original St Michael’s (1108), which was torn down by the Soviets in 1937.
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St Volodymyr’s Cathedral
Built in the late 19th century to mark 900 years of Orthodox Christianity in the city, its yellow exterior and seven blue domes conform to standard Byzantine style. However, inside it breaks new ground by displaying Art Nouveau influences.
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St Nicholas' Church
In the northwest section of the grounds is the small, late-17th-century St Nicholas' Church, its unique blue dome adorned with golden stars. It's now an administrative building.
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Central Synagogue
Kyiv has an active Jewish community numbering about 60,000. The largest synagogue is the Central Synagogue
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