Kyiv's art and architecture are world treasures. One cannot help but admire the beauty of the Saint Sophia Cathedral, which deserves special attention simply because it is the country's most famous landmark.

This large and opulent monastery complex was built between 1017 and 1031 in honor of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, who celebrated a spectacular victory over the Asian nomadic Pecheneg tribe.

The church bears the name of the Constantinople Saint Sophia Cathedral and is surrounded by smaller churches that bear the names of various saints.

The Saint Sophia Cathedral has 13 golden bulbous domes, five naves and five apses, with two two-row galleries on three sides. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with beautiful frescoes, with the mosaics in the top row mostly dating from the 11th century. The uniqueness of the mosaics is due to their rich tonality, in which 177 different shades are applied on a golden background. The extremely beautiful image of the Virgin Mary praying is also uniquely endowed.

The Saint Sophia Cathedral has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Vote:
Rating 5 from 1 voted Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv