Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv
Собор святої Софії/Софійський собор
Saint Sophia Cathedral
50°27′10″N 30°30′52″E / 50.45278°N 30.51444°E / 50.45278; 30.51444
Location	National Sanctuary "Sophia of Kyiv" Holy Sophia Cathedral Complex Shevchenkivskyi District, Kyiv
Country	Ukraine
History
Dedication	Hagia Sophia
Architecture
Heritage designation	Seven Wonders of Ukraine
Style	Byzantine architecture, Ukrainian Baroque
Years built	11th century
Specifications
Length	41.7 m (137 ft)
Width	54.6 m (179 ft)
Dome height (inner)	28.6 m (94 ft)

The Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, is a very old and important building. It is a famous landmark in the city and was the first place in Ukraine to be added to the World Heritage List. This list includes special places around the world that are important for everyone to protect. The cathedral is part of a larger group of buildings, including a tall bell tower and the House of Metropolitan.

In the Ukrainian language, people call it Sobor Sviatoii Sofii or Sofiiskyi sobor. Today, the cathedral is a museum. It is managed by the National Sanctuary "Sophia of Kyiv", which works to keep this amazing place safe.

History of Saint Sophia Cathedral
Cathedral Complex Buildings
Gallery
See also

History of Saint Sophia Cathedral

Interior of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv

The cathedral is named after the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (now Istanbul). That church was named after "Holy Wisdom," not a person named Sophia. Building the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv started a long time ago. Some historians think it began in 1037, while others believe it was in 1011.

When Was the Cathedral Built?

One idea is that Yaroslav the Wise, a powerful ruler, started building it in 1037. He wanted to celebrate a big win against a group called the Pechenegs. However, a historian named Dr. Nadiia Nikitenko believes it started earlier, in 1011. She thinks Yaroslav's father, Vladimir the Great, began the project. Both UNESCO and Ukraine agree with the 1011 date. Ukraine even celebrated its 1000th birthday in 2011!

What Does the Cathedral Look Like?

The cathedral has five main sections, called naves, and five rounded parts, called apses. It also has 13 cupolas, which are like small domes on top. This was quite unusual for buildings from the Byzantine style. Inside, you can still see beautiful mosaics and frescos from the 11th century. These old artworks show scenes and people, including a picture of Yaroslav's family.

Who Was Buried Here?

The cathedral was once a burial place for important rulers of Kyiv. These included Vladimir Monomakh and Vsevolod Yaroslavich. The grave of the cathedral's founder, Yaroslav I the Wise, is still there today.

Changes Over the Centuries

Saint Sophia Cathedral in 1889

Over time, the cathedral faced many challenges. After Kyiv was attacked in 1169 and then by the Mongols in 1240, the building fell apart. It was later rebuilt and made beautiful again in the 16th century. This happened when the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was trying to bring different churches together.

The cathedral was repaired and its upper parts were changed to the Ukrainian Baroque style. An Italian architect named Octaviano Mancini helped with this work. Even with these changes, the old Byzantine artwork inside was kept safe. Work continued under the Cossack leader Ivan Mazepa until 1767. During this time, many other buildings were added around the cathedral, like the bell tower and a monastery dining hall. All these new buildings also had the special look of Ukrainian Baroque.

The Cathedral in Modern Times

The museum on a 1988 5 rouble Soviet coin

After the October Revolution in Russia, in the 1920s, the Soviet government wanted to destroy the cathedral. They planned to turn the area into a park. Luckily, many scientists and historians worked hard to save it. While a nearby monastery was blown up, Saint Sophia Cathedral was spared. In 1934, the government took control of the building and made it a museum.

For many years, there were discussions about giving the cathedral back to the church. However, because different church groups had disagreements, it remained a museum. Today, it is a secular museum, meaning it's not used for regular church services. Most people who visit are tourists who want to see its history and beauty.

In 2007, Saint Sophia Cathedral was chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine. This means it's one of the most amazing places in the country. In September 2023, UNESCO added Kyiv to the list of World Heritage sites "in danger." This was done because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, to help protect this important historical site.