| Saint Sophia Cathedral In Kiev |
Article Index for Saint |
Website Links For Saint Sophia |
Information AboutSaint Sophia Cathedral In Kiev |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL IN KIEV | |
| cathedrals in ukraine | |
| sophia cathedral in kiev | |
| buildings and structures in kiev city | |
| visitor attractions in kiev city | |
| world heritage sites in ukraine | |
| 1050s architecture | |
| 1740 architecture | |
| orthodox cathedrals | |
|
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev (, ) is an outstanding architectural Monument of Kievan Rus' . Today, it is one of the city's best known landmarks. The cathedral's name comes from the s, 5 Apse s, and (quite surprisingly for a Byzantine structure) 13 Cupola s (domes). It is surrounded by two-tier galleries from three sides. On the inside, it has Mosaics and Fresco s from the Eleventh Century . The cathedral was the first Ukrainian patrimony to be inscribed on the World Heritage List . Originally the cathedral was a burial place of the Kievan rulers including Vladimir Monomakh , Vsevolod Yaroslavich and of course the cathedral's founder Yaroslav I The Wise . Although only the latter's grave survived to our days. After the Mongolian Tatars pillaged Kiev in 1240 the cathedral fell into decline and was even occupied by the Uniats until the Kievan Metropolitan Petro Mohyla reclaimed it in 1633. Immediately repair work began and the upper part of the ancient building was thoroughly rebuilt in Ukrainian Baroque style (as modelled by the Italian architect Octaviano Manchini). The work was completed in 1740 retaining its present form ever since. After the Russian Revolution Of 1917 and during the Soviet antireligious campaign of the 1920's, the government plan called for the cathedral's destruction and transformation of the grounds into a park "Heroes of Perekop " (after a Red Army victory in the Russian Civil War in Crimea ). The cathedral was saved from destruction primarily with the effort of many scientists and historians. Nevertheless, in 1934 , Soviet authorities confiscated the structure, including the surrounding seventeenth– Eighteenth Century architectural Ensemble and designated it as an architectural and historical museum. Since the late 1980s Soviet, and later Ukrainian, politicians promised to return the building to the Orthodox Church. Due to various schisms and factions within the Church the return was postponed as all Orthodox and the Greco-Catholic Churches lay claim to it. Although all of the Orthodox churches have been allowed to conduct services at different dates, other times they are denied access. Most memorable was the funeral of Patriarch Volodymyr of Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patriarchy , when riot police were forced to prevent the burial on the premises of the museum and a bloody clash took place. After events such as those no religious body has yet been given the rights for regular services. The complex now remains a museum of Ukraine's Christianity, with most of its visitors being tourists. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|