Kyiv is the one the most important centers of Christianity. You can visit many churches and monasteries in the city center. Here is the list of unique cathedrals to visit.

1. St. Michael Orthodox Cathedral

The cathedral is located on the territory of St. Michael Golden-Domed Monastery. Archangel Michael is a heavenly patron of Kyiv. The cathedral and monastery have a long glorious and tragic history. Originally founded in the 12th century, it kept unique mosaics and frescoes. The Soviet authorities planned to build a new square and destroyed the cathedral in 1935 during the atheistic period. The Soviets planned to build a governmental square but didn’t finish the project. It was an empty place for many years here. Finally, new life of the cathedral started in 2000. Now we can see a replica restored in Ukrainian Baroque style. You can visit church services twice a day. Pay attention that women usually wear a scarf when entering inside. Anyway, if you don’t have a scarf, you can enter inside without it. The monks become more democratic and don’t follow old traditions so strictly.

2. St. Volodymyr Orthodox Cathedral

One of the best cathedrals was built in New-Byzantine style in 1896 to commemorate the 900-years anniversary of introducing Christianity in Rus. It bears the name of Grand Prince Volodymyr the Baptizer who is one of the most important saints in Orthodox Christianity. You can enter inside from 7.00 am from 8.00 pm. Services start at 9.00 am and 5.00 pm every day. You can see beautiful original wall paintings made by Russian, Polish, and Ukrainian artists at the end of the 19th century as well as the relics of St. Barbara. Women usually wear a scarf when visiting a church service but if you are a tourist you can enter inside without a scarf. Pay attention that taking photos or videos is extra payment. You can buy a ticket in the right side store.

3. Assumption Orthodox Cathedral

The Assumption Cathedral is located on the territory of Kyiv-Pechersk (Caves) Monastery and serves as the main temple. Originally built in the 11th century, it was the main temple of the monastery. It was destroyed by the Soviets and German Nazis in 1941 during WWII. Now we can see its replica rebuilt in 2010 in Ukrainian Baroque style. It is an active church as well as a museum. On the territory of Lavra, you can visit the exhibitions of the history of the monastery and see many original photos and exhibits. On the left side of the cathedral, you can see the original stone of the 11th century. Women usually wear a scarf when entering a cathedral.

4. St. Alexander Roman-Catholic Cathedral

You can see this cathedral in the city center on a high hill near Volodymyr Hill Park. It was built in 1817 at the expenses of the Polish community. When you enter inside, turn to the right side and you’ll find a small historical exhibition with old photos. The services are held in Polish, Ukrainian, and English. The cathedral is an important center of Polish culture in Kyiv.

5. St. Nickolas Roman-Catholic Cathedral

A beautiful New-Gothic cathedral is a masterpiece of well-known Kyivan architect Vladyslav Gorodetskiy (see photo below). The cathedral is located quite far from the city center so tourists rarely visit it. It was built as a church in 1902 but closed in the Soviet times and transformed into the House of Organ and Chamber Music. The organ was specially created by the masters of the company “Rieger-Kloss” in Krnov, Czechoslovakia. The revival of church life in the community began in the late 1980s. Since 1992, the church began to hold regular worship services, alternating, by arrangement, with concert activities of the National organ and chamber music hall of Ukraine.

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