About St. Sophia Cathedral, Kiev

Built in the year 1037 by Prince Yaroslav, the St Sophia's Cathedral happens to be Kyiv’s oldest standing church. The church also marks the burial site of the Prince himself.  The main purpose of building this church was to commemorate the place where the victory of Kyivan Rus over the Pechenegs was gained. The name of the church is also inspired by the famous St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Constantinople. The beautiful and awe-inspiring 13-cupola sanctuary lies adjoining to the Yaroslav’s Palace and eventually became a revered place of worship for Kyivites. The cathedral was also marked as a political and cultural centre. With rich frescoes and mosaics adorning the interiors of the cathedral, a lot of which can still be ogled at, the cathedral was like paradise for all the Kivyites who were looking for a place of worship. Other than being a place of worships, even various meetings with foreign diplomats and treaty negotiations were held here. Another amazing thing about the cathedral is that it was the first place to house a library and a school in Kyivan Rus. The blue and white bell tower that forms a part of this complex stands at 76m high and its construction got completed in the year 1752. It was in the year 1852 that the upper Ukranian Baroque section of the church and the gilded cupola were added. Now, in this day and age, the site is protected by Ukraine, and it also recieves support from UNESCO. 

While in Kyiv, do what the Kievans do! Or rather, do what frequent travelers do – they visit the best-known landmarks of the city. The St. Sophia Cathedral is one such example, and also the first heritage site in Ukraine to be inscribed on the World Heritage List. On this list, it is joined by its counterpart in the same city, the Kyiv Cave Monastery complex.

 This cathedral is a beautiful architectural monument of Kievan Rus'. It is a unique monument of architecture and art, of the early 11th Century. The cathedral has preserved its large collection of mosaics and frescoes of that period. Some of the masterpieces include the Deisis, the Pantocrator, the Communion of the Apostles, the Annunciation, and the Virgin Orans.

 Built during the reign of the Yaroslav the Wise, the Great Prince of Kyiv, by Byzantine masters and local builders, it was to be the primary Christian church of the Kievan Rus’ capital. Designed to rival the great Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, the St. Sophia Cathedral's Byzantine architecture announced the new religious and political authority of Kyiv.

 This beautiful cathedral is surrounded by monastic buildings of the 17th and 18th centuries in the Ukrainian Baroque style. The breath-taking architectural structures comprise the refectory, the Zaborovsky gate, the south entrance tower, the bell tower, the cells of cathedral elders, Metropolitan’s house, as well as the seminary encircled by a stone wall. Over the centuries, there has been a unique blend of national spirit with the natural and architectural forms that have created a niche for themselves in the historic landscape of Kyiv.

Must See

  • This beautiful and awe-inspiring 13-cupola sanctuary lies adjoining to the Yaroslav’s Palace
  • The rich frescoes and mosaics adorning the interiors of the cathedral will make you gape at it.
  • The blue and white bell tower that forms a part of this complex stands at 76m high and is quite magnificient.
  • The artefacts and architectural displays inside the church would make you gape at it.
  • Virgin Orans
  • The cast-iron tile floors
  • Art galleries upstairs
  • The ornate tomb of Kyiv Patriarch Volodymyr Romanyuk.

 

How to reach

One can easily be reached on foot from the city centre via the Sofievska street.

Cab fare will come around 40-42 UAH

The subway line Purple stop near St Sophia Cathedral.
The bus line 206,30 also stops near the cathedral.

Tips

  • Do not make unnecessary noise
  • Respect the sanctity of the place
  • If you are attending mass, then, kindly maintain silence
  • If it has been stated, remove your footwear before entering
  • Do not indulge in photography
  • Wheelchair access is available
  • Visit the bell tower to get the bird's-eye view of the cathedral and stunning view of the city.
  • To enter the museum of Amber you have to pay 10 UAH.
  • Guided tours in English are available (80 - 100)UAH.
  • No flash photography is allowed.
  • There is a 20UAH charge for photos.
  • If you are a student then make sure you have an international student card if possible as there is a huge discount for students.
  • Toilets can be found in a separate block
  • Best place for meditation or to get relaxed
  • Please make some donations for the good of the church.
  • Wear comfortable shoes.

Visit Time

Sunday: 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Monday: 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m to 5 p.m.

Thursday: Closed

Friday: 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

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Waiting Time

Might have to wait for buying a ticket

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

Yes

Adults 50UAH
Children/Students 20 UAH
Entrance to the Bell Tower costs 10 UAH for adults and 6 UAH for children.

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Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

3 to 4 hours

 

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Weather

Moderate Rain 9.2°C

 

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