Address: Ukraine, Kiev
Foundation date: 1051 year
Main attractions: Assumption Cathedral, Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow", Church of All Saints, Holy Cross Church, Warm Temple in honor of all the reverend Fathers of the Caves, Temple in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring", Refectory Church, Near Caves , Distant Caves
Coordinates: 50 ° 26'06.3 "N 30 ° 33'24.0" E
Content:
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is the center of Christianity and a shrine for the believing people. This place has a long history, is famous for its temples, beautiful places.
Today the ensemble of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra consists of more than a hundred stone structures, about twenty churches and more than 40 architectural monuments.
View of the Upper Lavra
History of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
On the right bank of the Dnieper, the unsurpassed Kiev-Pechersk Lavra flaunts from afar, in the Pechersky district of Kiev, which is the oldest district of the capital. The name of the region is connected with the fact that the first monks once lived here in caves (Ukrainian - “pechera”). The monastery was founded, according to historical data, in the 11th century. But the name “Lavra” was given to the Pechersk Monastery in the XII century.
The monastery, by about the second half of the 11th century, became the largest architectural center in Kievan Rus. Tile and mosaic workshops were located here. 100 years later, namely at the end of the 12th century, defensive ramparts and fortification ramparts with towers and loopholes were erected around the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
General view of the Lavra
In the same period, the Trinity Gate Church was built on the territory of the monastery, which is one of the 6 monuments of princely times, which has survived to this day. The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra survived the Tatar-Mongol invasions, the years of the Second World War, as well as the most difficult periods of Lithuanian and Polish rule. However, despite the destruction and damage, the monastery survived and today is a historical and cultural reserve with an area of 28 hectares, where the relics of more than 400 saints are kept. Among the saints there are many famous architects, doctors, writers, artists of Kievan Rus. So, for example, the relics of Nestor the chronicler - historiographer, author of the "Tale of the Past Years" are kept here. This is the only place in the world where so many shrines are kept.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Churches and temples of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
The National Reserve of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is of great historical importance, where there are about twenty churches of different sizes and ages, differing in interiors and styles. The most famous are the Trinity Church, the Assumption Cathedral, which adorns Cathedral Square, and the Refectory Church. Also of interest is the main Lavra bell tower, from where, as in the palm of your hand, you can see the whole of Kiev. Trinity Nadramnaya Church is located above the entrance to St. Lavra. There is a belief that in order to be cleansed from sins, you need to go through the gates of the church twice. The church was built at the beginning of the twelfth century. Despite the fact that the church is small, there are 120 biblical compositions on the walls.
Refectory Church of the Monks Anthony and Theodosius
The architecture of the church is represented by multi-profile cornices, pilasters, ceramic rosettes. And, of course, admire the beautiful blue dome of the church with gold stars. On the main cathedral square of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra stands the Assumption Cathedral, the construction of which dates back to the 11th century. Of course, at that time he did not look at all the same as today. Then it was a rectangular one-story building with one dome. The Moscow architect Vasiliev, after a fire in the 18th century, united all the buildings of the cathedral under one roof. The temple becomes a square, two-story building with seven gilded domes. In the Assumption Cathedral there are up to three hundred burials of church and famous historical figures.
Trinity Gate Church
The Assumption Cathedral was the center of the entire great architectural composition of the Lavra, however, in early November 1941, when the Lavra was visited by German generals and the President of Slovakia, Josef Tiso, the temple was blown up and the cathedral was destroyed... In November 1998, based on the available archival data, its reconstruction began, with funds raised by residents of the city of Kiev, which was completed in 2000. Thus, today the Assumption Cathedral repeats an exact copy of the 11th century cathedral.
This cathedral is famous for its altar, with an absolutely wonderful iconostasis, 25 meters long and 22.5 meters high. There are several world famous temple icons, namely the icons of the Mother of God, Jesus Christ, the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. There are about 69 icons in total.
Great Lavra Bell Tower
There are also other very interesting buildings on Cathedral Square. Here is the residence of the metropolitans who lived here until 1918 and the Church of the Annunciation. Now the residence houses a museum dedicated to Ukrainian arts and crafts.
Next to the chambers of the metropolitans there is a small building, consisting of 2 floors. There used to be a refectory on this site, built at the end of the 19th century in the ecliptic style. Not far from the refectory, the Refectory Church was built, which today is not only a museum, but also a functioning church. This church is considered one of the latest buildings and is a large octahedron-shaped building. The church has a very beautiful marble iconostasis and the icon of Anthony Theodosius of the Caves.
All Saints Church
Another unique place of the national reserve is the main Lavra bell tower, the construction of which lasted from 1731 to 1745. The height of the bell tower is about 96 meters, the depth of the granite foundation is about eight meters, the thickness of the walls is seven meters, and the diameter is about 29 meters. The bell tower consists of four tiers, decorated in its own way. The huge dome of the bell tower has an area of more than five hundred square meters, and the construction is completed by a cross, which is four and a half meters high. In December 1903, a chime clock was installed on the fourth tier of the bell tower, weighing 4.5 tons. The second tier housed a public library. The bell tower at one time was the tallest building in the city of Kiev. From here you can really enjoy the view of a part of the city, the city located on the left bank and, of course, the entire Lavra.
Church of the Savior on Berestovo
Caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
Man-made caves: Near and Far, are considered a unique phenomenon of the reserve. This is the main attraction where the relics of the Lavra saints rest. In front of the entrance to the caves there is the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, which has retained its original appearance to this day. Six small underground churches have been preserved in the caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The total length of caves and underground labyrinths is more than 500 m, the height is two meters, the width is more than one meter, and the depth at which they are located is from five to twenty meters... In the eighteenth century, the caves were fortified from landslides and were painted. There are iconostases made of gilded copper, and holy relics are kept in the tombs.
The Monk Anthony was buried in the Near Caves in 1073, and the Monk Theodosius was buried in the Far Caves in 1074. This was the first burial, so the near caves are known to everyone under the name Anthony, and the Dalny ones are called Theodosius.
Holy Cross Church
In 1990, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. To get acquainted with all the sights of the Lavra, you need to slowly study everything step by step, because each of its buildings is a unique structure.The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra withstood and resisted all the attacks of enemies, and at any time this shrine supported and helped simple and strong believers. Pilgrims come here from different countries. During the existence of this monastery, more than forty million tourists from all over the world have visited its territory.
