Pechersk Lavra

Have you ever dreamed about travelling back in time?

If you'd like to know what it was like in the Kiev Rus of the 11th to 18th centuries, then visit the Pechersk Lavra monastery. The remarkable complex was founded in the 11th century by a monk named Antoniy, and it is still an active monastery. When you visit it, you can see that the atmosphere is still like it was in medieval times.

The first magnificent building of the complex, which you can see even before entering, is the Troitskaya (Nadvratnaya) Church, which towers above the main gates. The church was built in the 12th century, but most of it was reconstructed in 1718 after a disastrous fire. The beautiful paintings that hang on the church's walls were also done in the 18th century. A medieval legend says: When you pass through the Saint gates under the Nadvratnaya Church, you get rid of 50 percent of your sins. So come on in. It certainly won't do you any harm, will it?

The centre of the complex and the main temple of the monastery is Uspenskiy Cathedral. The original structure was the first building in the complex, built in 1078. It was reconstructed in the 18th century in Ukrainian baroque style but destroyed during World War II. Happily, it was rebuilt in 2000.

Unless you are really fit, you shouldn't try to make your way to the top of the church's Bell Tower. At 96 meters high, the graceful, refined creature of the 18th century was the tallest building in the country at the time. If you can make it to the top, you will find an unbelievable view of Kiev downtown, the River Dniper, its bridges and the districts of the low left bank. The big clock on the tower's fourth floor has seven bells, which strike every 15 minutes.

The Lavra complex includes other wonderful churches as well as the two largest. The high, proud white buildings have dark-blue and green capes and gilded stars. Their marvellous interiors include paintings and carved gilded icons of Ukrainian and Russian artists of the 18th century.

The most mysterious and holy feature of the complex is the Lavra caves. Originally, the monks lived there. Later, the caves became a burial places for Lavra's saints. The caves have many branches, making them a labyrinth of underground corridors, niches and even small underground churches. So far about 600 meters of the caves have been discovered. Many people believe that much more has yet to be found.

The monastery grounds include unique exhibitions and museums. Visitors can see historical jewellery, ancient book printing, Ukrainian decorative art and other interesting artefacts.

St. Sofia's Cathedral

St. Sofia's is a historic part of Ancient Kiev Ruse that has survived intact since it was built in 1037.

The builder was one of the most capable Kiev Ruse princes - Yaroslav the Wise. In the 10th century the temple was a cultural center of the whole Kiev Ruse state.

Lots of scientific societies and schools were established at the facility. Their members wrote, translated and commented on scientific and religious books.

Yaroslav the Wise established an enormous library in the cathedral. It disappeared sometime during the medieval centuries -- an occurrence that is still a mystery to historians.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, other stone buildings were built around the cathedral, transforming the complex into a monastery.

The interior of the cathedral has been left unchanged since the 11th century! The most impressive part of the interior is about 3,000 square meters of ancient Ruse frescoes. The shining mosaic background contains at least 177 colors. In the center you can see the figure of Maria Oranta with her arms up.

A medieval legend says Kiev will last as long as St. Sofia does.

St. Michael's Cathedral

Together with St. Sophia, St. Michael's Cathedral gives you a unique portrait of ancient Kiev.

The building was built in 1113 by Prince Svyatopolk. Other buildings were added later to create the St. Michael's monastery complex. The cathedral was partially destroyed during the time of Tatar-Mongol rule, but it was reconstructed in the 17th century.

During that century, St.Michael's became one of the most important monasteries of Kiev Rus. The monastery complex itself was enlarged, a bell tower to the cathedral and gates built. The Ukrainian getman Skoropadskiy added wonderful icons to the cathedral during that time.

It is hard to believe it now, but in 1934 the government of Soviet Ukraine decided to put the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Ukrainian Communist Party on the St. Michael's grounds. To make for that building, the government ordered the cathedral razed.

When Ukraine became independent in recent years, it decided to rectify the situation. It rebuilt the cathedral between 1997 and 2000. It even used copies of the frescos and mosaics of the 12th century to reconstruct those masterpieces.

Visitors enjoy the gloomy charm of the ancient Orthodox cathedral. It is always dark and cool inside. The only light comes from the candles of visitors. By candlelight, the icons glimmer and the religious paintings look very mysterious. Light a second candle and ask God to wipe away your sins.

St. Vladimir Cathedral

This cathedral is devoted to the Ruse christener, the great Prince Vladimir. It was built for 20 years, the architects Beretty, Berngard, Nikolaev, took part in the project. The building itself as well as the interior decoration was finished in 1896.

The building is implemented in the traditions of the Russian-Byzantine architecture and it keeps the old Ruse history and traditions. It is built in the cross shape and pyramid composition. The main dome height is 49 meters.

The interior of the Cathedral is created by the group of the famous painters, which included Vasnetsov, Vrubel and others. The most colorful and emotionally expressing are the Vasnetsov's paintings. The monumental figure of the Godmother (the height is 10,5 meters) in the altar part of the Cathedral is the compositional center of the building.

St. Andrew's Street

The most romantic place in Kiev, this narrow road slopes down from the Starokievskaya and Anreevskaya hills to where it levels off in the Podol district.

The district, which dates to the times of the Kiev Ruse empire, is now the center of Kiev's cultural life. The buildings that went up there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the overall bohemian atmosphere give a unique charm to the place. Each building is a piece of art in itself. There are painters' studio, theaters, museums, exhibition halls, galleries and souvenir shops. Those working in these establishments are as colorful as the buildings themselves.

Tourists often say this street reminds them of the Monmartre Hills. St. Andrew's may be more vibrant, however. When the weather is good, artists place their works right in the street. You can find everything here - from modern paintings to a Kazak's hat (papaha) from the Russian civil war of 1918.

The centerpiece of St. Anrew's Street is St. Andrew's Church. It is one of the best examples in the country of the Ukrainian baroque style architecture. Russia's Queen Elizabeth ordered it built in the 18th century. The famed architect Rastrelli personally supervised the project.

The other impressive building in the area is the Castle of Richard the Lion Heart. The structure actually has nothing to do with Richard the First of England It was built in the late 19th century. But it does look like a real Western medieval castle.

Another popular place in the area is St. Andrew's 13, the house of the famous Russian writer Michael Bulgakov who is the author of well-known "Master and Margarita."

St. Kirill Monastery

This monastery was founded in 1139 by the Chernigov prince, Vsevolod Olgovich. The first building on the complex was the St. Kirill Church.

The Mongols and Tatars badly damaged the church in the 13th century. Restoration work on the facility was done during both the 17th and 18th centuries.

In 1786 Russia's Queen Ekaterina II ordered the monastery closed and a mental hospital set up there.

In 1860 some priceless 12th century frescoes were discovered under a layer of plaster. The plaster was taken off to reclaim the art. The famous Russian painter Vrubel restored the parts of the frescoes that were damaged when the plaster was removed.

Brotherhood Bogoyavlenskiy Monastery

The Kiev Brotherhood founded the monastery and the academy in 1615.

In the 17th century the complex was a cultural and spiritual centre of Kiev Rus. Thus it had a significant impact on European cultural life.

Famed Ukrainian educator Peter Mogila was the force behind the founding of the academy. He modelled it on the principles of the best European schools of the times. The school and a university that grew out of it prepared generations of Ukrainian scientists, artists and teachers.

The main temple of the monastery/academy complex, the Bogoyavlenskiy Cathedral, became a victim of political repression in 1935: Stalin's government blew it up. The most important building that still stands is the Old Academic building, which along with Blagoveschenskaya Church was built in 1703.

Flora and Lavra Monastery

This is one of the oldest women's monasteries in the world.

The complex, situated right at the foot of Mount Zamkovaya, was built between the 17th and 20th centuries. It was a wealthy institution because the nuns were mostly from aristocratic families - and those families poured money into the complex and its programs. The nuns made beautiful embroidery, carpets and decorations that gained fame in Kiev and beyond.

The monastery was closed in 1929. Some buildings were destroyed while others were reconstructed. The complex reopened in 1941.

The most beautiful old buildings that continue to stand today are the Trapeznaya Church of Flor and Lavr, the Voznesenskiy Cathedral and the Nadvratnaya bell tower.

Pokrovskiy Monastery

This women's monastery was founded in 1889 by Russia's Princess Alexandra Romanova. It has achieved fame for its medical and educational facilities.

For example, the monastery hospital was the first in Kiev to have X-ray equipment. Lots of well-known scientists and doctors worked in the monastery complex.

The famed Ukrainian entrepreneur Nikolay Tereschenko financed the complex's administration building on the foothills of Mount Voznesenskaya.

The complex's architectural style is known as Moscow-Jaroslavl - for the two Russian cities. The complex includes the biggest church in Kiev - Nikolaevskiy Cathedral - which seats 3,000 people. It also includes Pokrov Church, a hotel, and surgery and therapy facilities.

Pirogoscha Church

Kiev's Prince Mstislaw started the church in 1131.

After the Mongol-Tatar invasion, the church became a centre of Kiev social life. Many important celebrations were held there, many notables were buried on the church grounds, and the city archive was kept there.

The original building was destroyed in 1935 by Stalinists.

The people of Kiev decided to rebuild the church after Soviet rule ended. The restoration was completed in 1998.

St. Ilea Church

This church was built not far from the River Dnieper in 1692. The one-story building, while only modestly decorated, is a great example of Ukrainian Baroque architecture. The building was rebuilt in the 18th century, and repainted in the 19th century. Some of the 18th century painting has been kept inside the building. The complex also includes a bell tower that was built in the early 18th century.