ST.SOPHIA CATHEDRAL

Until the 11th century this part of Kyiv was a field where Kyiv warriors would fight the nomads. To celebrate one of their victories, (sometime between 1017 and 1037), the Grand Prince Yaroslav founded St.Sophia Cathedral.

The Cathedral was the centre of Kyiv and among the many events that took place there, Princes were enthroned and foreign ambassadors received. During it's nine hundred and fifty year existence it has been attacked many times and undergone many reconstructions.

The interior of the Cathedral is jsut as spectacular with well preserved architecture, mosaics and a unique assembly of the 11th century frescoes. The central altar apse is a six metre high image of Maria Orante.Also included are images chronicling the life of Prince Yarov and his family.

In 1987 the Cathedral was awarded the Goild Medal of Hamburg for preservation of historical monuments. To see more images, click on any of the thumbnails to the right.