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Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Complex (National Reserve of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra), Kiev, Lavra Str. Photo By Falin –

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kiev Pechersk Lavra

Kiev Pechersk Lavra is an Orthodox Christian monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine. The word pechersk means cave and lavra means a high-ranking male monastery hence the name Kyiv Monastery of the Caves.

Kiev Pechersk Lavra was founded in 1051 by St. Anthony and St. Theodosius. It has numerous structures, monuments, cathedrals, cave systems, bell towers, and fortification walls.

The Great Lavra Bell Tower is the main attraction of the Lavra and the most notable building in the Kyiv skyline. The monastery of caves has a series of underground chapels and corridors. It also has a sum of 8 churches and is home to over 100 monks.

1. St. Anthony’s Asceticism Lifestyle Led To The Foundation Of The Kiev Pechersk Lavra

St. Anthony was an ascetic that lived on Mount Athos. When Anthony first returned to Kiev, the monasteries were more lenient compared to those in Mount Athos. He decided to live in a small cave that had been dug by a Christian Clergy. He fled Kyiv after a conflict between Vladimir’s sons broke out.

On his second return, Anthony’s ascetic way of life intrigued many. His abstinence from worldly pleasures, prayer, work, fasting, and a strict diet of rye bread and water made him famous amongst his community. This earned him a disciple following of 12.

The disciples dug a huge cave with monks’ cells within it. The cave was the starting point of what is now known as the Kyiv Monastery of Caves.

2. The Clock in the Great Lavra Bell Tower of Kiev Pechersk Lavra Has Stopped Only Once Since 1903

Great Tower Bell. Photo By Ryzhkov Sergey –

The Great Lavra Bell Tower is the main bell tower of the ancient cave monastery. The 96.5 metre tower has four tiers placed on top of a gold-coated dome. The bell tower has a library, a massive chiming clock and 3 original bells on display.

The fourth tier of the tower originally had a 4.5-ton chiming clock before its replacement in the 20^th century. The clock that mimics the Kremlin clock only stopped during the explosion of the Dormition Cathedral in 1941. Its replacement took 6 years and since then, it has never stopped or needed any repairs.

3. It Is Unknown Who Caused The Explosion That Blew Up The Dormition Cathedral In Kiev Pechersk Lavra

Dormition Cathedral of the Kyivan Cave Monastery. Photo By Skelanard –

The Dormition Cathedral was built in the 11^th Century but was destroyed by the explosion on Khreshchatyk street during World War II (1939-1945). There is no assurance of who exactly between the Germans and the Soviets caused it.

The Soviet authorities claimed that the explosion had been caused by the German troops as they were advancing. The German authorities claimed that the warfare tactics of the Soviet troops is what led to the explosion.

The Cathedral was rebuilt after Ukraine got its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It was completed in 1997 and consecrated in 2000.

4. The Gate Church Of The Trinity in Kiev Pechersk Lavra Was Built On Top Of The Holy Gates Church

The Gate Church of the trinity was constructed atop an ancient stone church that was the main entry into the monastery. It was built in 1106-1108 by Sviatoslav II as a form of the fortification of the cave monastery.

In 1240, the Gate Church of the Trinity became the main church in the monastery after the Dormition Cathedral was destroyed during the Mongolian Tatar’s invasion.

5. There Are No Drawings Or Visual Depictions of the 1^ST Refectory Church of Monastery

The current refectory chambers with the church of the saints Anthony and Theodosius is the third temple to be constructed of its kind. This was after the second temple was destroyed by the Russian Authorities in the 19^th Century.

The first temple was built in the 12^th century. There is, however, no drawings or visual proof of its remains.

6. The Monastery Caves Are Signature Structures Of The Ukrainian Baroque Era

Candle Chandelier and Decorated Walls at Kiev Pechersl Lavra. Photo By Aleksandr Zykov –

Baroque architecture originated in the 17^th century. Its interior design included highly decorated walls, moldings, sculpted wood mirrors, painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and gilded finishes.

Some of the churches with this design are the Gate Church of the Trinity, All Saints Church and The Refectory Church.

Gate Church of Trinity’s exterior walls and façade are stucco-molded plant ornaments. The interior walls have paintings done by Alimpy Galik and a large sixteen-candle chandelier. The Refectory church has marble icons and wall paintings.

7. The Interior Of The All Saints Church In The Monastery Was Painted By A Group Of Students

The All Saints Church was built for 2 years, from 1696-1698. Its beautiful gold roofed structure and carved wooden iconostasis showcase the Ukrainian architecture of the 17^th century.

Churches in the monastery were painted by well-known artists such as Alimpy Galik. All Saints Church is the only structure that was painted by students. The students from Larva Arts school were the artist behind the interior walls of the church.

8. The Church of the Savior at Berestov is the Only Church outside the Lavra Fortifications

Fortification Wall of Kiev Pechersk Lavra Photo By Aleksandr Zykov –

The Church of the Savior is located in the North of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Its location at Berestove makes it the only building in the cave monastery that is not protected by the wall system.

The Lavra fortifications are a system of protected 7 m walls, towers, gates, and buildings. The combined length of the wall is over 1,000 metres.  The 3 gates are Holy gates with the Trinity Gate Church, Economy gates with All Saints Church, and the Southern/Cave Gates.   

9. The Catacombs Of The Keiv Pechersk Lavra Are Long Enough To Reach Moscow

The caverns in the monastery are a combination of corridors, chapels, and monk living quarters.

Tourists from other countries said that the underground chapels and corridors of Lavra ran over 1,000 kilometres. This could possibly be long enough to reach Moscow and Novgorod. This astonishing fact attracted more tourist to Keive.

10. It Was Voted As One Of The Seven Wonders Of Ukraine

In July 2007, the Ukrainian government put up a public contest to vote for the country’s top 7 historical and cultural monuments. Kiev Pechersk Lavra and Saint Sophia Cathedral are the only sites in Kyiv that made it on the list.

The 7 sites were a result of votes from experts in Ukraine and internet users.