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The world-known Pechersk Lavra Monastery (Monastery of the Caves) - is the oldest monastery in Rus existing nowadays and has a network of catacombs.
One of the most famous Kiev attractions founded in 1051 by monks Antoniy and Feodosiy for enchanting and expansion of new religion - Christianity. The complex of Kiev-Pecherskaya Lavra Monastery includes Nearby and Far-off caves, the Church of the Savior on Berestove, Holy Trinity Gate Church, St Nicholas' Church and the Great Lavra Belfry, the highest in Ukraine, fully reconstructed Assumption Cathedral.
The majority of the structures are built in the Ukrainian Baroque style. The ensemble is organically linked to the relief and forms a beautiful and majestic silhouette of Kiev from the Dnipro river side. The building continued in for about 9 next centuries. The name Pecherskaya comes from the word "peshera" (cave) which were situated there. The monks used to live in these caves, more than 900 years imperishable bodes of the monastery's founders - the Venerable Theodosius and Anthony, Agapit the healer, Nestor the Chlonicler, and relics of thers 118 saints are slept there. Lavra is usually called some big monasteries, which by their sizes and buildings are looked like small towns, with own streets ("lavra" in Greek means "the street"). And the life in this monk's towns is submitted to such clear lows and orders, as its impossible to be a full monastic life without. The Far off caves have 46 burials including the hollows of Wonder Worker Moses. Cases of curing of pilgrims that stayed near hollows are positively known. The ground buildings of Lavra appeared after the caves had been dug out. Trinity Gate church is the central entrance to the territory of Lavra. People believe that half of sins are forgiven if the person goes through this gate.
There are 102 stone constructions based in 26 hectars area, which recognized architectural monuments. There are more then 60 thousand of displays in the reserve's funds. There are the easel painting works of art, works of arts and crafts and old-printed books.
Pecherskaya Lavra Monastery is one of the most interesting architectural and historical monuments (existing siince 1051), it was the centre of Christianity in the time of Kiev Rus and the complex possesses a number of active churches and unique caves with the remains of Saints. At present there is a monastery in the territory of Lavra.
The architectural ensemble of this Lavra was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990.
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