Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra - the oldest and one of the main Orthodox shrines, a unique monastic complex, which has no analogues in the world. This is the first monastery in the territory of Kievan Rus, the churches that were built in the 11th century are virtually preserved here.

In essence, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is a real town in the heart of Kiev, there are fourteen Orthodox churches, a monastery, seven museums, one of the first printing houses in Russia, etc. The monastery is translated from the Greek as "street", it was not all monasteries that were awarded this name, and it spoke about their scale and huge importance.

Gradually the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God and the monastic cells formed a monastery. In 1688 the monastery acquired the status of a monastery, that is, a monastery of populous, important, under the direct authority of the Holy Synod. The governors of the laurels receive the rank of archimandrite.

For many centuries the laurel was raided and attacked, several times destroyed, but it was restored again and again. She was robbed by the Polovtsians, Turks, Crimean Tatars, and the library of the monastery and many documents were destroyed by fire in 1718.

The main value of the laurels is the relics of the Reverend Fathers and the chosen laity - for example, here from the XIV century. is the tomb of many princely and noble births, as well as the tomb of Peter Stolypin. It is often brought here by well-known and very ancient miracle-working icons - for example, the icon of the Assumption of Our Lady.

In Soviet times, the All-Ukrainian Museum Town was organized on the territory of the Lavra: here is the State Historical Library of Ukraine (located here to date) , The Museum of Historical Treasures, etc. The Great Patriotic Monastery was inflicted considerable damage, the Assumption Cathedral was blown up, the treasures of the monastery were plundered. However, much has been restored and recreated for the celebration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus and the following years

Today the laurel is divided into the Upper and Lower Lavra, the latter being a land historical and cultural complex, and the Lower Lavra is a current monastery and caves proper, in turn, also distinguish between the Near (total length of 313 meters) and the Far (293 meters). In general, according to some information, these caves are more extensive and have a ramified system of underground passages that run under the waters of the Dnieper and even connect the monastery with the monasteries of nearby cities.

Laurel Caves

But the most valuable treasures of the laurels are underground, the depth of five to fifteen meters, it was there, almost a thousand years ago, the founder of the monastery, monk Anthony, settled. In the underground caves are placed cells, where the monks spent their lives in prayers for ordinary people, as well as the relics of the saints. Among them, it is especially worth noting three myrrh-head chapters whose miracle (or oil) has healing properties and helps all who come to the laurel with faith.

History and features

All the temples were built with funds from Kiev princes who often went to the laurels, and some of them even they were sheared into monks, such as the prince of Chernigov, Svyatoslav Davydovich, who later became a monk of Svyatosha. Here for the blessing came such monarchs as Peter the First, Catherine II, Nicholas II and others. It was here that the main chronicle of Kievan Rus was created: "The Tale of Bygone Years."

Life of laurels today

Today, the laurel covers an area of ​​about thirty hectares, it acquired its modern appearance only at the end of the 18th century, when the monastery was rebuilt after a fierce fire, it was then erected a stone wall, and the main Holy Assumption Cathedral acquired a new facade in the best traditions of Ukrainian baroque. @

The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Historical Heritage List. You can get here daily from 9:30 to 18:00, the cost of admission to the caves is about 60 rubles (June 2012).

Reviews about Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (13)

Evaluation 10

The source of Antonia October 02, 2014

oxsana_ya

was here in May 2013

The first time she visited the Lavra in 1998, and since then she has become attached to her with all her heart .The next time I managed to visit only in 2013 .Assumption Church, museums, caves, springs - every time you visit Kiev you want to visit Lavra .Favorite source - прпд .Antonia - the water in it is special and although I used to love her, I was now convinced of her healing properties: being a nursing mother, my temperature suddenly increased, there were all the signs of the flu, and I can not be treated - I feed the baby .Well, that was at home water from the source - drank only her and the next morning ALL of the symptoms have passed!

Evaluation 10

Easter walks along the Lavra April 15, 2014

Maria

was here in April 2013

What a wonderful Kiev-Pechersk Lavra on Easter, but most importantly - is that the entrance to the territory is free. In addition, some great objects are opened for the great Christian holidays, which remain closed for the rest of the time. For example, this time we got to the Refectory church. This very spacious and large room, all the walls of which are painted with biblical subjects, are extremely beautiful. Often on large holidays in the Lavra brought Orthodox shrines, to which are built huge ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

Shrine of Kievan Rus February 07, 2014

Katya

was here in September 2012

In Kiev, I visited the first time. In the morning I flew in, and in the afternoon I flew away, so I did not have time to review the sights. I just walked around Khreshchatyk and needed to fly away. Having told my mother about my visit to Kiev, I realized that I did not have time for the most important - the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. My mother is an Orthodox person, she asked me to go there and see everything. After knocking out a couple of days off, I flew to Kiev. The monastery is really a special place. There is ... Read full review

A cognitive excursion to the Museum of Book and Printing of Ukraine 03 December 2013

Denis

was here in November 2013

At the end of November, I finally managed to get out and visit the Kyiv Museum of Book and Printing in Ukraine, which is located on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. I will say right away that it was very interesting, because it is primarily intellectual development. My group was lucky - got a very good guide (an elderly man), who explained everything in detail, and indeed, it is clear that people there love their profession.
In the museum there were exhibits of colossal prescription, which are sometimes just ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

Being in Lavra, please yourself and your close people with Lavrsky carrot November 11, 2013

Schastliviy17

was here in September 2012

Several years ago they sent me to Kiev. I had free time, and I decided not to lose it in vain and walked around Kiev. I got my attention more center. I decided to walk on foot from Khreshchatyk to Arsenalnaya, and then, inspired by the beauty of the city, reached the street of Lavrskaya.
I knew about the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra from history books, and then I came to see her. I am an Orthodox person, I like to visit churches and temples. And how here not to go into such a shrine, since I was here. I went through the central ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

The centuries-old history of the Shrine, which can heal, causes respect and admiration 05 November 2013

SuperProfessional

was here in May 2013

The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is one of the iconic shrines of Kiev and Kievan Rus. Every time I pilgrimage, there are always scurrying many pious and ordinary Christians who reach this land, so that, like me, absorb it and get close to the miraculous icons, be attached to the relics. Someone told me that all the prayers that we send to God are stronger here. Although I believe that the main force is in faith. In the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, many miraculous cures have been recorded.
When I have time ... Read full review

Evaluation 10

In our time such a highly spiritual place is especially popular 01 Nov 2013

Ustim

was here in June 2013

My grandmother adhered to piety and from childhood she took me to the temple. As once in childhood, my parents and grandmother jerked to Kiev for an excursion and at the request of my grandmother went to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
We went through the main gate from Lavrskaya Street, walked a little along the cobblestones, and a beautiful view of the dome of the Lavra opened. Whenever I investigate Kiev, I come here, I remember my first visit. Many people say that there is good energy here. Once I got here in a depressed state, I spent ... Read full review

Evaluation 9

Even the holy water is special here October 24, 2013

Rozumiy

was here in June 2013

Often I travel on business trips in Kiev. The office of the company I'm visiting is located not far from the Lavra Street, a few minutes' walk from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
In my free time, I came here. It feels like you are resting here spiritually, you feel lightness, peace, harmony. I went through the first gate on Lavrskaya, went down the pavement down, turned to the left to the Cross Exaltation Church.
I like to look at the Christmas Nativity Scene - a composition ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

Holy shrine October 21, 2013

ProfiExpert

was here in November 2012

In the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra for the first time visited the excursion with the class. This place touched me strongly. When I'm in Kiev, I like to go to the Lavra. I step out at the Arsenalnaya metro station and go towards Lavrskaya, through the Glory Park. In the park from the observation platform, the golden domes and bell towers of the Kiev-Pecherskaya Lavra are clearly visible. Here you rest your soul, you feel the good energy of this holy place.
The first time I went on a tour of Dalny and the Middle Caves on a school excursion. Adults applied ... Read full review

Evaluation 3

Business Laurus October 21, 2013

dani_dash

was here in January 2013

I've been to Kiev many times, and every time I visited the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and every time I like it less and less. To begin with, recently part of the territory of the Lavra has become a reserve, so the entry price was introduced. That is, it would seem for the fact that you want to walk through the holy land, go into the temples, you have to pay fifty hryvnia. There is also a clause that if you just go into the temple to pray, then you have a discount, the entrance will cost only three hryvnia. But in any case require money.
However ... Read the full review