ROUTE No. 2

1. The Holy Assumption Kyiv Pechersk Lavra was founded in 1051 by monks.

It used to be a monastery and an educational centre of political and social significance.

The legend has it that Apostle Andrew preached here, blessed the hilly bank of the Dnipro River and said to his disciples: “On these hills there will be a great city and many churches.”

Now it is a major Kyiv’s landmark that attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims from all around the world.

Here you can see caves, the Bell Tower, the Assumption Cathedral, tombs and several museums.

2. The Gate Church of the Trinity is one of the best preserved monuments of Old Rus architecture.

The foundations of the Church were laid by Prince Svyatoslav Davidovich in 1106.

With its stone walls it served as a fortification.

In the 17^th and 18^th centuries the architecture was modified into a baroque style.

The interior walls were decorated with paintings and frescoes.

3. On your left, in a yard you can find St. Nicholas Church.

It used to be a hospital founded in the 12^th century.

The Church saw the best physicians of Kyivan Rus.

The present building was constructed in 1462.

The Church is topped by a pear-shaped dome with gold stars on a dark blue background.

Now the Church serves as a lecture-hall.

4. The Bell Tower was built in 1731-1745.

It used to be the highest tower in Russian Empire.

It is four-tiered and 96.52 metres high.

It was designed with Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns.

During WW 2 it was badly damaged and fully restored in 1980.

5. The Assumption Cathedral is the first stone structure to be built at the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery.

The foundations of the Assumption Cathedral were laid in 1073.

The inside part of the Cathedral was painted with frescoes and decorated with icons and mosaics.

In 1240, it was destroyed by the Mongols. In 1470, it was restored.

During the fascist occupations, the cathedral was sacked and blown up. In the 1990s, it was restored again.

6. The caves are a complex system of corridors 2.5 m high and 1.5 m wide.

They were first mentioned in the year 1051.

The cave founded by Antonius is known as the Near Caves, which are 228 m long.

The cave founded by Theodosius is known as the Far Caves, which are 28 m long.

The caves eventually grew into an underground monastery and were transformed into places of mass pilgrimage.