The main temple of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra – Assumption Cathedral (Uspensky Cathedral) is located in the centre ofKiev, the capital of Ukraine, in front of the Saint Gates, in the middle of the central square of the Upper Lavra. This temple, one of the most ancient in Kievan Rus, has a special place in the life of Orthodox Church and in native culture. Its creation started a new stage in the history of Old Russian architecture and icon-painting. According to the tales of Nestor the Chronicler, the stone church Uspenia was based in 1073.

The foundation and building of the temple was accompanied with a number of miraculous events, showing God’s grace and intercession of Mother of God, who is the celestial patron of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The place for the building was pointed by divine signs to st. Antoniy. The land and 100 grivnas of gold were sacrificed by prince of Kiev Svyatoslav. The great contribution in the building was performed by voivode Shimon (Simon).

The building works of Assumption Cathedral started in1075. In the creating of the church’s plan and in the making of the basis took part the Byzantine architects called by the Virgin Mary. According to the tales of Paterik the money for the building were enough for three years. The erection of the temple was finished in 1077.

15 years later in 1088 the Assumption Cathedral was ready for the consecration. It was notable for the unusual grandeur and the beauty of the inner and outer decoration. Its walls and iconostasis shone with gold and many-colored mosaic and were decorated with a number of icons, the floor was made of the different kinds of stone, the top of the temple was gilded and the Christ on the cupola was forged of gold. The Greek icon-painters adorned Assumption Cathedral. The consecration took place in 1089 and was timed for the holiday of Uspenia of the Virgin Mary.

There was not the church in Old Russia so honored as the Great Church of Pechersk. All major sacred objects of Lavra were kept in the Great Church. Assumption Cathedral has been restored for many times. The profound reconstructions took place in 1729, 1755 and 1893. In 1941 the temple was destroyed and was renewed only in 2000.

Till 1941 the iconostasis in Assumption Cathedral belonged to the times of hetman Skoropadsky (1708-1722) which had a great artistic value. The icon of Assumption, of Pechersk saints and other were covered with gorgeous images. The tsar’s gates were forged of silver with gilding. All these were created by Lavra jewelers, who were famous equally to the painters and carvers. Under the floor of the Great Church there were buried many Russian princes, hetmans, Kiev voevodes (voevoda – the head of army in Kiev Rus), bishops, metropolitans and archimandrites.

8, 514 kg of the leaf gold were spent for the gilding of Christ and cupolas during the renovation of Assumption Cathedral.

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In every city there is an old street, in whose lives there are inextricably united reality and history, fantasy and reality. This living history in Kiev is Andrew's Descent. The name of the street is associated with the presence of the Apostle Andrew in Kiev Mountains. The legend ascribes to him the prophecy about the appearance of the city here, which will play the greatest role in the history of the Slavic peoples.

St. Andrew's Church on the street of the same name in Kiev was founded by Empress Elizabeth, as thankful for the meeting with the future Count Razumovsky, who became her husband. It was built on the draft by Rastrelli in 1753. The successfully selected location on the hill makes it visible from the low-lying Podil and neighbouring mountains. According to legend this was the place, where Andrew set up the cross, prophesied about the future of Kiev. There had always stood wooden churches.

Moreover legend says that in the valley, where now runs theDnieper, there was the sea, which vanished away, but some of it is hidden under the mount, and since then there is a spring, hidden under the altar of the temple. For the same reason, the church has no bells, because with the first hit of the bell, the water may go out to the surface and fill all the Left Bank.

Modern Andrew Descent, as well as French Montmartre and Moscow's Arbat, are rich in artists, who exhibit their works here: paintings, glass and ceramics, wooden figurines, jewellery, toys and more. There are official art salons and galleries on Andrew’s Descent. Here are songs and performing artists of different genres.

On Andrew’s Descent there is quite a diverse choice of cafes. The atmosphere differs from the street bustle of everyday life, it is more like the smooth and fairly quiet atmosphere of the last century. And in the house numbered 13 locates the Museum of Mikhail Bulgakov. He lived in this house.

One can not ignore the Museum of one street. Of course - this is Andrew's Descent, its story in photos, pictures and other objects of different times.

If you are tired of impressions, then you can relax in a shady park, where are also exhibited the creative works of sculptor Ivan Kavaleridze.

 The city has a unique landscape and is widely known for its architectural ensembles, which are tactically inscribed in it. Despite the considerable loss, they create a complete image of the historic city, located along the waters of the ancient Dnepr-Slavutych. The area of Kiev is 827 square km and includes 14 administrative districts. There are built on only 42% of the entire area of the city. The rest of the city is water bodies, green areas and parks.

Modern Kiev is one of the largest cities in Europe, administrative, economic, scientific, cultural and educational center of the country.

The capital of Ukraine is situated on both banks of the Dnepr, in its middle stream, below the confluence of the left tributary - Desna. The northern part of the city is situated on the Podillya lowlands, the south-western one (right bank) - on Pridneprovskaya uplands, the south-eastern one (left bank) - on Pridneprovskaya lowlands.

No doubts that Kiev is one of the most beautiful cities of Ukraine. Located in the centre of Europe it attracts a lot of tourists. Kiev local time is UTC +2. Kiev has outstanding heroic history. From 1921 the city was part of the Soviet Union, since 1934 as a capital of Soviet Ukraine.  After 57 years as the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union, Kiev became the capital of independent Ukraine in 1991.

Today Kiev is the administrative, cultural, and financial core of Ukraine, represented by over 3 million citizens. Kiev has regained its former glory as one of the most beautiful capitals of Eastern Europe. It will be enchantment ‘at first site’ as you take your first stroll along the chestnut lined streets of the old part of the city, feeling as though a time machine has sent you back into the very heart of history. Millennial Orthodox cathedrals, crowned with golden domes and diverse styles of old buildings – all bear imprints of the ancient splendor of Kievan Rus, a mighty state of the Medieval Europe. Monuments once erected by old master builders and now restored and reconstructed anew can be seen reflected in modern high-rise architectural ensembles. Dozens of theaters, art galleries, and museums will invitingly open their doors for you.

Kiev's most famous historical architectural complexes are the St. Sophia Cathedral and the Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves), which are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. One of Kiev's widely recognized modern landmarks is the highly visible giant Mother Motherland statue standing at the Museum of the Great Patriotic War on the Right bank of the Dnieper River. It is hard to describe the magnificence of Kiev sights and sightseeing, you should see it with your own eyes.

At night you can see the beauty of Kiev from the other side. Full of nightlights with its great architecture the capital of Ukraine becomes a wonderful place for a romantic car tour. Numerous nightclubs, disco bars, restaurants give great opportunity to fill nightlife of citizens and guests with wonderful impressions and emotions. Kiev travel guide will help you to know this beautiful city better. Below you can find the list of Kiev attractions. You are welcome to visit Kiev.