Kiev Caves Lavra, also known as Kyiv Pechersk Lavra or Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, is a historic Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine. It was founded in 1051 by St. Anthony of the Caves, who dug a cave on the Berestov Mount overlooking the Dnieper River. He was soon joined by other monks who formed a monastic community. The monastery grew under the leadership of St. Theodosius of the Caves, who became the third abbot in 1074. He built the first stone church and introduced the coenobitic rule of St. Theodore the Studite. The monastery became a center of spiritual and cultural life in Kievan Rus, attracting many pilgrims, princes, and scholars.
The monastery is famous for its extensive system of caves, where many of the monks were buried. The caves are divided into two parts: the Near Caves and the Far Caves. The Near Caves are about 383 meters long and contain the relics of 119 saints, including St. Anthony and St. Theodosius. The Far Caves are about 293 meters long and contain the relics of 49 saints, including St. Nestor the Chronicler and St. Ilya of Murom. The caves are also decorated with icons, frescoes, and other artifacts.
The monastery complex consists of several churches, cathedrals, towers, and other buildings, built over the centuries in different architectural styles.
Some of the most notable structures are
The Dormition Cathedral, the main church of the monastery, built in the 11th century and rebuilt several times after being destroyed by fires and wars. It is a masterpiece of Ukrainian Baroque architecture, with a golden dome, a rich interior, and a bell tower.
The Refectory Church, also known as the Trapezna Church, built in the 19th century in the Classical style. It is one of the largest churches in the monastery, with a capacity of 3,000 people. It also houses a museum of Ukrainian art and culture.
The Great Lavra Bell Tower, the tallest free-standing bell tower in the world, built in the 18th century in the Ukrainian Baroque style. It is 96.5 meters high and has four tiers of bells, the largest of which weighs 65 tons. It offers a panoramic view of the monastery and the city.
The monastery is also home to several museums, libraries, and workshops, where visitors can learn about the history, culture, and art of the monastery and Ukraine.
Some of the museums are
The Museum of Historical Treasures, which displays a collection of gold, silver, and jewelry from various periods and regions of Ukraine, including the Scythian, Sarmatian, and Kievan Rus cultures.
The Museum of Miniatures, which showcases the works of Mykola Syadristy, a famous Ukrainian artist who created microscopic sculptures and paintings that can only be seen with a magnifying glass or a microscope. Some of his works include a chessboard on a pinhead, a rose in a hair, and a caravan of camels in a needle’s eye.
The Museum of Microminiatures, which exhibits the works of Anatoliy Konenko, another Ukrainian artist who specialized in microminiatures. Some of his works include a portrait of Taras Shevchenko on a poppy seed, a flea wearing horseshoes, and a soccer match on a human hair.
The Kiev Caves Lavra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Saint Sophia Cathedral, as a testimony of the ancient and medieval civilization of Kyivan Rus. It is also one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine, as a symbol of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people. It is a place of pilgrimage, worship, and education for millions of visitors every year.