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The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, has stood for nearly one thousand years.
For the last 30 years, the site has been protected by UNESCO. The territory of the national sanctuary contains more than a hundred important objects.
The Gate Church of the Trinity is the only temple on the territory of the monastery, which has survived almost unchanged. It is 910 years old. The facade and the interior of the church is decorated in the Ukrainian Baroque tradition. The Gate Church of the Trinity is the only temple in the world where the original paintings by 18th century Lavra artists have survived.
Ukrainian or Cossack Baroque was practiced by Ukrainian architects in the 17th and 18th centuries. Ukrainian Baroque is distinct from its Western European counterparts, as it has comparatively moderate ornamentation and simpler forms. The iconostasis is made entirely of wood.
The history of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra began in 1051 CE. The caves are five to 15 meters underground. Their overall length is 800 meters, and they have six underground churches. Even today, the caves attract many tourists and pilgrims. The bodies of ancient monks are interred there.
You can see the whole monastery and everything within a 30 kilometer radius from the belltower. Its construction, 270 years ago, was financed by the famous Cossack hetman, Ivan Mazepa. He spent 3,000 rubles of his own money, which was a large sum of money at that time. The belltower is 96.5 meters high. A person needs to climb 248 steps to get to the top.
Ten years ago, Ukrainians voted the Kyiv Pecherk Lavra as one of the country’s seven wonders.
