If you only travel to one place in Ukraine, travel to Kiev, and take a look through the multitudes of different buildings and architectural marvels there. One of the simply most breathtaking places is Saint Sophia Cathedral, which, for nothing else, simply hums with spirituality and beauty. Regardless of how your religious beliefs lie, this place is a truly amazing – if a little pricy – architectural marvel.
Much of the original artwork is still exposed and available for the public to view, and what isn’t is being carefully restored and preserved by different restorers. At the risk of making some of these areas seem a little spotty, the ability to see truly original pieces is incredibly moving. You need to make sure that you hire an English guide beforehand, but the actual trip is incredibly moving, making this a must-see spot in Kiev, as well as the rest of Ukraine.
The last time some friends visited Ukraine, the brought back some great photos of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev. This cathedral dates back to 1037 when Prince Yaroslav the Wise laid the foundation and it is definitely a testament to the skill of Ukrainian builders. It has 13 domes – or cupolas as they call them overseas – that dominate the Kiev skyline and the bell tower it the most notable one as it is topped with gold. There are some of the most beautiful 11th century mosaics and frescoes inside the cathedral and considering all of the turmoil, conflicts and strife the country has seen since 1037, it’s amazing that they are intact.
Unlike most cathedrals found in Europe that are still holding masses as well as being open to public viewing, Saint Sophia’s holds a museum instead that details the cathedrals spiritual and intellectual influence on the region. It tells how the cathedral was an integral part of the spread of the Orthodox faith through Russia from the 17th to 19th century. This beautiful building was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990 and it should be included on any trip to Ukraine in order to enjoy some of the best architecture and art work in the country.
For every American traveller, the architecture of Ukraine’s old cities should look strikingly ancient and intriguingly sophisticated. The cultural and architectural history of entire Russia, actually, started in Ukraine, when Kiev, the present capital of the country, became the center of the Russian statehood then called the Kievan Rus. Since the 9th century, Ukraine was both developing its own style in construction and absorbing great architectural influences of Byzantine, Greece, and France.
Continue reading ‘Synergy of Styles in Ukrainian Architecture’
