The Saint Sophia Cathedral
Built in the 11th century, the Saint Sophia Cathedral has managed to preserve its beauty and majesty until today, solidifying its place among unique historical monuments. In fact, it was the first Ukrainian landmark to be included onto the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Although the temple was built according to the canons of Byzantine architecture, it is virtually peerless in the world. Over its long history, it survived numerous destructions and plunders. While the Saint Sophia Cathedral’s exterior changed a lot over ten centuries, the interior preserved its authenticity and many rare mosaics, created by Byzantine artists in the 11th century, remain inside.
The Saint Sophia became the head church in Kyivan Rus. Here, both regal coronation ceremonies and official meetings with foreign ambassadors were held, and international agreements signed. The Saint Sophia Cathedral was the burial place for Kyivan princes.
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