st. cyril's monastery

This church is one of three building, remained from time before Tatar-Mongol conquest. Although a lot changes were conducted through the centuries it's not only one of the finest churches in Kiew, but it gives overview of 900 years of art. You can see here examples of XI cen. frescoes, XVII cent. tempera paintings and, mostly represented, oil paintings of the end of XIX cent, some of them made by Wrubel. This symbiosis is really breathtaking and worth visiting! And they have great excursions for those speaking Russian/Ukrainian.

Aside from the beautiful buildings, explore the caves where monks have been sealed in their burial chambers. Very historic!

It is a bit away from the main tourist drag, but don't fret, I just took subway to the "Petrovka" stop. Outside there is a bit of a chaos of small buses and street vendors, but look for one that goes down the "Oleny Telihi street". Look carefully - when you see church domes - you are there! May be, like 6-9 minutes drive, subway + bus, like 6 hryvna.Don't skip it, it is truly ancient and well kept. No, no loonies walking around.

This church was built about 900 years ago and painted by Vrubel' about 200 years ago. It's one of the few buildings that survived during the Tatar-Mongol invading 800 years ago.The only thing to watch - this place is located just near the psychiatric clinic so some visitors could seems to be a little bit strange. Just do not mind on them and try to get the excursion - very many new things to know.

We went by taxi, and had it wait for us. The price was not unreasonable. The church is 12th century with traces of beautiful frescoes and a variety of 19thc ones, too. No photography, but you can see the images on an excellent web site.

I'm lucky to live not far from St. Cyryl's Church in Kiev so I can see it's domes when going to work.Nevertheless I'm not feel tired of seeing this beautiful church almost every day. How can anyone be tired of seeing real beauty.It is located on Oleny Teligy Street no far from "Dorogozhychi" Metro Station. Trolley bus No 27 will bring you exactly to this place (Trolley bus stop - "Museum - St .Cyryl's Church")It is situated on the hill and hidden behind the green tees in summer but clearly visible in winter .Legend says that Kyiv Rus Prince Svyatoslav is buried there. Now the Church is a museum with entrance fee but if you want to be present on the evening service you can go for free.And on holidays like Easter or Christmas you can hear Church bells two blocks away. It is well known because of Vrubel's frescoes still preserved on its walls. Of course this Church is really worth visiting and you can ask for excursion in English there. You can spend hours inside studying frescoes on the walls.

The original St. Cyril’s church was constructed in the 12th century and is the resting place of some of the early Kyivian Rus nobility. It always amazes me when something this old has survived, especially in a city such as Kyiv with its tumultuous history. Of course it didn’t escape unscathed and it has been reconstructed on several occasions especially after a fire in the 1700s which accounts for some features of later centuries. St.Cyrils did not come through the Soviet regime unscathed, they dismantled St. Cyril’s belfry to reuse the bricks for other construction projects in the 1930s. The exterior is in the Ukrainian Baroque style that is commonly found throughout the country. It is white with green cupolas. The green of the cupolas are unique, but not as stunning as the cupolas at St. Andrews. Outside there is signage in English and also the entrance ticket is in English and Ukrainian. My friend purchased a little picture book for me, which has English descriptions. It is the interior that is utterly extraordinary. Some of the oldest, 800 year old frescoes are in incredibly amazing condition including one of St. Cyril teaching and another of an angel rolling a scroll that depicts heaven. Cameras are absolutely forbidden inside, but there are benches throughout where one can sit and study the frescoes at ones leisure. Common with Orthodox churches there are no pews within. I always carry a scarf when I travel to cover my head when we enter churches, but I don’t believe we had to put on a skirt here, as I have had to do at other churches in Ukraine. The cost to enter was 15 hryvnia, a real bargain. For anyone interested in Kyivian Rus architecture, St. Cyril’s is a must see, but really for all visitors to Kyiv, St. Cyrils should not be missed.

This is one of very old churches of Kiev city, interesting pictures and icons. But it is not overcrowded.

Doesn't matter if you come as a business or tourist traveler , this is one place worth seeing. Very mysterious and preserved in amazing well shape

A visit to St. Cyril's Church Museum is an easy afternoon trip away from the hubbub of central Kiev. We took a tram from Contractor's Square, and then walked about 10 minutes up an easy grade to the church. The general area is open, and reminiscent of suburban parkland. When St. Cyril's was first completed in 1167 (High Middle Ages), Kiev had been Christian for less than 200 years, the Russian Orthodox Church was a diocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul), and construction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris had just begun. Since that time, St. Cyril's has undergone many incarnations, and today it's an oasis of calm from the modern world outside. A practical person might say that you go to St. Cyril's for the frescoes (the painting technique required under church law and regulation in the 12th century). In fact, 800 square meters/yards of frescoes were restored as late as the 1970s. A delightful middle-aged lady of a studious nature answered our questions, and she spoke with me in good English. The music was evocative, and peace was everywhere. There were a few other visitors, but we were never near them. The 19th century marble iconostasis held us for a while, and I had a rare perfect moment when I came upon 'Angel Rolling the Heaven into a Scroll,' from the larger 'Last Judgement/Doomsday' fresco. We ascended to the second floor by way of steep and uneven steps, with many steps more than 16 inches/40 cm high. All the great Biblical figures were there, and a booklet entitled 'Cyril's Church' (for sale downstairs) gives a good first explanation. Paintings by Mikhail Vrubel (1856-1910), in particular 'Descent of the Holy Ghost to Apostles,' require ample time. Vrubel fell in love with the wife of the head of the committee that invited him to work at St. Cyril's. See if you can find her likeness among the scenes.

This is a wonderful church that has been restored but the original frescos are still visible. It is quiet and overwhelming and I was the only person in the church, unlike many other sites around Kiev that are very crowded. I could really take my time and view all the amazing artwork. The woman at the cash desk even turned on beautiful music for me to enhance my experience. Climbing the stairs to the second floor is not easy as they are gigantic risers and narrow, but the view from the top is worth it. I am glad I made my driver search around for this famous site.

Место со своей историей и атмосферой. Очень красивое и старинное внутри. Когда хочется побыть наедине с собой и услышать себя. Не многолюдно. По праздникам и в будни идут службы.

tres beau monastere a visiter en long en large et en travers , tres facile d acces , malheuresement ou prendre une photo est totalement interdit

церковь расположена на холме. вернее холмах. раньше там был большой монастырь. сейчас тоже живут монахи, но их не много. есть информация, что церковь связана подземными ходами с Печерской Лаврой и Выдубечским монастырем. конечно, этого вам никто не покажет, но рядом находится больница Павлова и большой Кириловский гай. если есть время, можно посмотреть и Кириловский храм и заново отстроенную трапезную. в Кирилловском храме есть икона Божьей Матери, которую написал Врубель. глядя на нее, испытываешь очень странные ощущения, будто живая женщина смотрит тебе в глаза. эту икону Врубель писал по памяти с живой женщины, которая была его первой и роковой любовью. возможно поэтому так трудно оторвать от нее глаза... кажется а глазах Богородицы застыла печаль всего мира. при написании этой иконы, Врубель отступил от канонов иконописи и ему не дали больше расписывать храмы. ну в общем место там очень интересное и с богатой историей. советую всем

Настенная огромная картина " Сошествие Святого Духа" и икона Богоматери, работы Врубеля не имеет аналогов ни в одной художественной галерее.