Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv
Собор святої Софії/Софія Київська
Saint Sophia Cathedral
50°27′10″N 30°30′52″E / 50.45278°N 30.51444°E / 50.45278; 30.51444
Location	National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv" Holy Sophia Cathedral Complex Shevchenkivskyi District, Kyiv
Country	Ukraine
History
Dedication	Hagia Sophia
Architecture
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 Ukrainian: Софійський собор) is a famous landmark in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It is an amazing example of the architecture from the time of Kievan Rus'. Today, the cathedral is a museum and is part of a larger area called the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv."

This beautiful building was the first site in Ukraine to be added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO. It shares this honor with the nearby Kyiv Cave Monastery. The cathedral complex includes other historic buildings, like a bell tower and the House of the Metropolitan (a high-ranking church official's home).

In 2011, the Ukrainian government moved the cathedral from the control of the Ministry of Regional Development to the Ministry of Culture. This was done because both the cathedral and the Kyiv Cave Monastery are seen as one single site by UNESCO, so it made sense for one government department to manage them.

History of the Cathedral

The cathedral is named after the famous Hagia Sophia cathedral in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). The name "Sophia" comes from the Greek word for wisdom.

When Was It Built?

Historians have two main ideas about when the cathedral was started.

• One theory is that Prince Yaroslav the Wise began building it in 1037. He did this to celebrate a big victory over invaders called the Pechenegs in 1036.
• Another theory, from historian Dr. Nadia Nikitenko, suggests it was started earlier, in 1011. This would have been during the rule of Yaroslav's father, Vladimir the Great.

Both UNESCO and Ukraine have accepted the 1011 date. In 2011, Ukraine even celebrated the cathedral's 1000th anniversary.

Architectural Style

The cathedral is a stunning mix of two styles: Byzantine architecture and Ukrainian Baroque. The original building was Byzantine, with 5 main sections called naves and 13 cupolas (domes), which was unusual for that style. Inside, you can still see mosaics and frescos (wall paintings) from the 11th century. One of the most famous mosaics is the Orans, a depiction of Mary praying.

The cathedral was also the burial place for the rulers of Kyiv. The tomb of its founder, Yaroslav the Wise, is the only one that remains today.

The beautiful interior of the cathedral in 2019

Damage and Rebuilding

Over the centuries, the cathedral faced hard times. In 1169, it was damaged when Kyiv was attacked. Later, in 1240, the Mongol invasion caused more destruction, and the cathedral was left in poor condition.

In the 16th century, when the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth ruled the area, major repairs began. The building was rebuilt in the popular Ukrainian Baroque style by an Italian architect named Octaviano Mancini. He carefully preserved the ancient Byzantine art inside. The work continued for many years, with support from leaders like Hetman Ivan Mazepa. During this time, many other buildings were added to the complex, all in the Ukrainian Baroque style.

The Soviet Era

After the October Revolution in 1917, the new Soviet government had plans to destroy the cathedral. They wanted to build a park on the site. However, many scientists and historians worked hard to save it. While the nearby St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery was destroyed in 1935, Saint Sophia Cathedral was saved.

In 1934, the government took control of the cathedral and turned it into a museum of history and architecture.

Modern Times and World Heritage Status

Since the late 1980s, there have been talks about returning the building to the Orthodox Church. However, different church groups have all claimed it, so it has remained a public museum to avoid conflict. Today, it is a popular site for tourists who come to learn about Ukraine's history and art.

In 2007, Saint Sophia Cathedral was voted one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine.

In September 2023, UNESCO listed the cathedral as a World Heritage site "in danger." This was done to help protect the site during the war in Ukraine. The cathedral suffered minor damage from a blast wave during an airstrike on Kyiv in June 2025.

Gallery

Here are some of the amazing artworks you can see inside the cathedral.

What's in the Cathedral Complex?

The cathedral is just one part of a large historic complex. The other buildings include:

• The Bell tower
• The House of the Metropolitan
• A Refectory Church (a church with a dining hall)
• A Brotherhood building
• A Bursa (a type of high school)
• A Consistory (a church council office)
• The Southern entrance tower
• The Zaborovski Gate
• Cells (living quarters for monks)
• A Monastic Inn
• A memorial stone for Yaroslav's library

Cultural Festivals

Since 2018, the grounds of Saint Sophia Cathedral have hosted the Bouquet Kyiv Stage. This is an annual outdoor arts festival that features some of Ukraine's best artists and musicians, like the Kyiv Chamber Choir, the band DakaBracka, and pianist Antonii Baryshevskyi.

See also

• List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ukraine