Hagia Sophia in Kiev

One of the most famous religious monuments of Ancient Rus is the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, located in the center of Kiev, the construction of which began in honor of Our Lady of Oranta, in the personification of Sofia. This temple impresses visitors with its beauty, artistic perfection, grandeur and size.

The history of the creation of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev is very ambiguous, since there is no exact time for its creation, but it is known that its Byzantine architects cost it, it can be seen in all technical techniques and features of the building structure. Very many are interested in the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, so in this article we will study its features, address, interior and other.

How to get to St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev?

The temple is located in the heart of the capital of Ukraine, on the street. Vladimirskaya, 24. You can get to Kiev by train, plane or car. Then take the metro to the Golden Gate station, from where you can go down Vladimirskaya Street to the square where the St. Sophia Cathedral stands. Or from the station "Maydan Nezalezhnosti" walk along the street Sofia and get to the desired area.

What to see in the Hagia Sophia in Kiev?

The architecture of the St. Sophia Cathedral has changed many times, this was due to the change of princes in Kiev or as a result of the seizure of the city by other peoples (for example: the Mongol troops led by Batu).

To preserve such an important historical monument in 1934 the reserve "Sophia of Kiev" was created. All the main buildings located on this territory, you can see the plan:

1. Sophia Cathedral.
2. Bell tower.
3. The house of the Metropolitan.
4. Refectory.
5. The Brotherhood Corps.
6. Bursa.
7. Bread.
8. South entrance tower.
9. Gates of Zaborovsky.
10. The cells of the monks.

Sightseeing tour of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev starts from an impressive bell tower, which can be seen even from afar.

Of course, tourists are interested in the architecture of the cathedral, which has special significance: 13 domes, arranged in a pyramidal order symbolize Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles. Also for the representation of the church before restoration, on the outer walls of the cathedral were preserved fragments of ancient masonry.

St. Sophia Cathedral is one of the most beautiful temples in Kiev and many want to go inside. And this is correct, as there is something to see there, because practically all the interior spaces are decorated with frescoes and mosaics.

Especially it is worth paying attention to the following parts:

1. The main dome - in the center of which is a mosaic of Jesus Almighty surrounded by 4 archangels, unfortunately, their mosaic image has not escaped and was simply painted.
2. The main altar - in its vault rivets the image of the one standing in the prayer of Our Lady (Oranta), 6 meters high.

Below it is the composition "Eucharist" - communion of the apostles by Jesus Christ.

Next are the mosaic images of priests, but only the upper part was retained, the lower part was also painted with paints.

3. Choirs - having a huge area, used to serve as prince ambassadors and a repository for sacred books. Their walls are decorated with interesting frescoes from the plot of the Gospel.

Niches, pillars and other parts of Sophia of Kiev are decorated with frescoes, which depict the faces of saints, plots from the Scriptures and even portraits of members of the Yaroslav the Wise family.

Not all frescos on the walls of the temple survived. Among the well-preserved paintings, the "Descent of Christ into Hell" is very interesting.

The whole construction of the Church of St. Sophia of Kiev can be understood according to the plan:

Tourists are attracted not only by the interesting architecture of the Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, but never found the mysterious library of Yaroslav the Wise and the remains of the Grand Dukes.

In addition to St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, you can visit the Mariinsky Palace, as well as the beautiful parks of the city .