Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (with a visit to museums)

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is one of the first monasteries in Kievan Russ’. The monastery was founded in 1051 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. The founders of the monastery are monks Anthony and his pupil Theodosius. Prince Svyatoslav, the son of Yaroslav, gave to the monastery a plateau above the caves, where the beautiful stone temples, the cells decorated with paintings, towers and other buildings have risen later. The names of the chronicler Nestor (the author of "The Tale of Bygone Years") and artist Alipy of the Caves are referred to the monastery.

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is located in the city center, on the right high bank of the Dnieper, and occupies two hills separated by a deep ravine leading down to the river. This ancient monastery complex includes the Near and Far Caves, several churches, including the Gate Church of the Trinity which is the oldest, the Great Lavra Bell Tower, the tallest in Ukraine (96.52 m), and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. The most of Lavra’s structures were built in the style of Ukrainian Baroque.

The history shows that the founders of Kyiv Pechersk monastery lived in earthen pits in the area, where the complex of Far Caves now is. After the monks began to flock to the leading lights of Orthodox spirit St. Anthony went off to live on a nearby hill, that was a beginning of another cave city − Near Caves. Later the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra began to grow and became enriched with the upper area. But the first pages of Lavra’s chronicle, of course, are written on the hills of the so-called bottom territory, where monks still live and the monastery works.

In addition to a panoramic tour of the area of the National Kyiv Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve you are invited to visit the Museum of Historical Treasures of Ukraine, the exhibition of miniatures and the bell tower of the Dormition Cathedral.