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Aerial View of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
The Great Lavra Bell Tower
Cathedral square
The Assumption Cathedral
The Church in Honor of the Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves
The Refectory Chamber
Near Caves
Far Caves
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KYIV
The reserve's primary mission is to safeguard the architectural complex of Ukraine's oldest Orthodox monastery, with its first historical mention dating back to 1051. This remarkable site encompasses both artistic and historical-cultural treasures and has earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra spans nearly 26 hectares and traditionally consists of two distinct sections: the Upper and Lower Lavra.
The Upper Lavra boasts an array of renowned above-ground landmarks, such as the Assumption Cathedral, the Holy Trinity Gate Church, and the Church of the Savior on Berestove. Additionally, it is home to esteemed cultural institutions like the National Museum of Ukrainian Folk Decorative Art, the Museum of Book and Printing of Ukraine, the Museum of Theater, Music, and Cinema Arts of Ukraine, as well as the Treasury of the National Museum of Ukrainian History.
In contrast, the Lower Lavra hosts an Orthodox male monastery. Below it, nestled on the hillside, lies the intricate labyrinthine system of the Near and Far Caves. This network of artificial underground corridors contains an underground necropolis, revered as sacred by Orthodox Christians.
The Great Lavra Bell Tower, constructed in the classical style under the guidance of Johann Gottfried Schädel from 1731 to 1745, stands tall at 96 meters and 52 centimeters. Its third tier houses a set of bells, while the fourth tier has accommodated a clock-chime mechanism since 1903, even though it lacks a clock face or hands. A large bell strikes the hours, and fifteen minutes before each hour, smaller bells create a melodious tune. In the 1930s, the bell tower lost most of its bells, and during World War II, it suffered significant damage from a fire. Extensive restoration efforts were carried out from 1957 to 1963, and the most recent significant repair and restoration work took place from 2010 to 2014. Remarkably, since the mid-18th century, the bell tower has maintained a 62-centimeter lean from the axis, a tilt that has remained nearly unchanged to this day.
As the primary cathedral within the complex, the Assumption Cathedral features a five-tier iconostasis dating back to the early 21st century. In addition to its religious relics, noteworthy compositions like the "Trinity of the New Testament" in the central bathhouse, the depiction of the "First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD)," and the portrayal of the Cathedral of the Venerable Fathers, resting in the Near Caves, are considered invaluable religious treasures.
Among the newer churches on the grounds, the Church in Honor of the Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves boasts a marble iconostasis dating from 1908-1909, the exquisite composition "The Nativity of Christ" (1905), as well as frescoes depicting "The Baptism of Christ," among other religious artifacts.
Among the newer churches on the grounds, the Church in Honor of the Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves boasts a marble iconostasis dating from 1908-1909, the exquisite composition "The Nativity of Christ" (1905), as well as frescoes depicting "The Baptism of Christ," among other religious artifacts.
Distinguished by ornamental reliefs adorned with polychromatic paintings imbued with symbolic significance, the Refectory Chamber also features frescoes such as "The Appearance of Christ on the Sea of Tiberias" (1905) and more.
In 1057, Saint Anthony, who sought solitude, relocated to another slope, where he excavated a new underground cell. However, monks soon gathered around Saint Anthony, leading to the establishment of two cave complexes within the underground monastery: the Near Caves, also known as the Anthony Caves, where the relics of 73 saints are preserved. In 1240, the hordes of Khan Batu destroyed Kyiv, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery. In the large niches of the Near Caves, filled with human bones, it is likely that the defenders of Kyiv are buried. The depth of the caves ranges from 10 to 15 meters, and the labyrinth's length is 383 meters.
There are differing opinions regarding the year when Saint Anthony settled in one of the Varangian Caves, which are now part of the Far Caves within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. However, most scholars attribute this event to the year 1051, making it the widely accepted founding date of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery. One of the co-founders of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery, Saint Theodosius, was interred in 1074 within his cell in the Far Caves, which are also known as the Theodosian Caves in his honor. The Far Caves are an integral part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and encompass both an underground complex and a group of above-ground structures, forming a distinctive architectural ensemble. The Far Caves house the remains of 52 saints.
The museum is situated within the historic chambers of the metropolitan and the adjoining Church of the Annunciation, which date from the 18th to the 20th centuries. This architectural complex is located within the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Preserve.
This museum is housed in the Kovnir’s Building, situated within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Preserve. Its exhibits and rotating exhibitions showcase a wide range of jewelry masterpieces, spanning from the Bronze Age to contemporary jewelry art. Notably, the museum boasts the world's largest collection of Scythian gold, comprising over 40,000 items. The centerpiece of this collection is the Scythian Golden Pectoral from the 4th century BC, unearthed from the Tovsta Mohyla burial kurgan in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast.
This museum is a must-visit if you want to step into the place where the journey of book printing began in Kyiv, way back in the distant year of 1615. The museum's exhibits and interactive programs cater to visitors of all ages—children, teenagers, adults, and even the most seasoned book enthusiasts. They allow you to delve deep into the captivating history and art of book creation, spanning from ancient manuscripts to contemporary publications. Here, you'll get up close with materials, tools, equipment, and technologies, all presented in a way that makes them accessible, engaging, and fascinating. The knowledge, skills, and unique insights you gain here will stay with you for a long time, regardless of whether you're 3 or 103 years old.
The Pedestrian Bridge stands as the sole pedestrian crossing over the Dnieper River in Kyiv, linking Trukhaniv Island with the embankment near the Monument to the Magdeburg Rights. This suspended bridge, extending over a length of 429 meters, was constructed between 1956 and 1957. A vantage point situated 26 meters above the water offers breathtaking vistas of Podil, the majestic Dnieper River, the shoreline adorned with numerous monuments, and spectacular sunsets.
In 2015, the bridge's 7-meter-wide lane was divided into separate sections for pedestrians and bicycles, becoming an integral part of the city's inaugural bike route. Subsequently, in 2017, the bridge underwent renovations, including the application of a special surface coating and the installation of reinforced railings. During fair weather, it also serves as a popular spot for rope jumping. The bridge remains a beloved destination among Kyiv residents for leisurely strolls and gatherings.
The monumental sculpture "Mother Ukraine," installed in 1981 within the grounds of the National Museum of Ukrainian History, proudly holds the title of the second tallest sculpture in Europe and the tallest in Ukraine. It stands at an impressive height of 102 meters, including its pedestal, despite the original design calling for a towering 108 meters.
The statue depicts a woman gracefully bearing a shield and a sword atop a 40-meter pedestal, and it provides two observation decks: one at 36 meters and another at a remarkable 92 meters in elevation. Originally, the monument was named "Mother Motherland."
The Cultural and Artistic Museum Complex "Mystetskyi Arsenal" was inaugurated in 2007 within the historic Pechersk Fortress Arsenal, Kyiv's first classical-style building. While it does not maintain a permanent exhibition, it regularly hosts exhibitions primarily centered around contemporary art.
Furthermore, "Mystetskyi Arsenal" runs a series of its own projects with educational and social aims, including "Book Arsenal," Art Workshops, the Youth Council, NEO Educational Arsenal, among others.
Within the complex, the Small Gallery is dedicated to showcasing young Ukrainian art and chamber projects by prominent domestic artists.
The overall area of the National Cultural and Artistic Museum Complex "Mystetskyi Arsenal" encompasses 9.8 hectares. The exhibition space within the Old Arsenal building spans an impressive 56,000 square meters.
The Old Arsenal building stands as a historically and architecturally significant monument within the protected confines of the Old Kyiv-Pechersk Fortress. Constructed between 1784 and 1801 under the design of artillery General-Lieutenant Ivan Meller, it is the first neoclassical-style building in Kyiv, constructed using yellow Kyiv bricks without external plaster. Due to the unique properties of the local clay, these bricks acquire a yellow-amber hue, earning it the moniker "Porcelain Arsenal" among contemporaries.
The National Complex "Mystetskyi Arsenal" represents a museum of the new generation, equipped with modern technical infrastructure to meet the demands of a dynamic exhibition center. It also fulfills an extensive educational role, inviting visitors to explore exhibition and display halls, art laboratories, electronic libraries, bookstores, conference rooms, information centers, and auditoriums.
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Information on museum accessibility is provided by the Inclusive Travels in Ukraine project (https://travels.in.ua/).
Central entrance to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Церква Всіх Святих над Економічною брамою (або Всіхсвятська церква) — церква в складі Києво-Печерської лаври в Києві, пам'ятка архітектури XVII ст. Збудована коштом гетьмана Івана Мазепи у 1696—1698 роках в стилі українського бароко, розписи інтер'єрів виконані на початку XX ст. під керівництвом українського художника Івана Їжакевича. Присвячена святу, яке відзначається у першу неділю після Трійці.
Архітектура церкви поєднує елементи хрестовокупольної української дерев'яної церкви і риси мурованих споруд в стилі бароко. Будівля у плані хрещата, має два яруси, п'ятибанна. На першому ярусі по осі північ-південь влаштовано браму, її отвір закривають двостулкові ворота з глухими металевими полотнами. До брами прилеглі комори та приміщення сторожі, які перекрито хрещатими склепіннями з розпалубками.
Північний в`їзд на територію Києво-Печерської Лаври. Розміщуються на першому поверсі Всіхсвятської церкви і споруджені разом з нею у 1696 — 1698 роках у стилі українського бароко. На відміну від головних - Святих воріт -, через які можна було проходити лише пішки, через ці ворота можна було в`їжджати на економічне подвір`я.