Kiev Pechersk Lavra

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Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Ukrainian: Києво-Печерська лавра, Kyievo-Pechers’ka lavra; Russian: Киево-Печерская лавра, Kievo-Pecherskaya lavra), also known as the Kiev Monastery of the Caves, is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery in Kiev, Ukraine. Since its foundation as the cave monastery in 1051 the Lavra has been a preeminent center of the Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe. It is also one of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites within Ukraine.
 
Currently, the jurisdiction over the site is divided between the state museum, the "National Sanctuary of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra", and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as the site of the chief monastery of that Church and the residence of its leader, Metropolitan Volodymyr (Viktor Sabodan).
 
Etymology and other names
 
The word pechera means cave in Slavic languages. The word lavra is used to describe high ranking monasteries of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Therefore the name of the monastery is also translated as Kiev Cave Monastery, Kiev Caves Monastery or the Kiev Monastery on the Caves (на печерах).
 
Foundation and Early History
 
According to the Primary Chronicle, in the early 11th century, Antony, a Greek Orthodox monk from Esphigmenon monastery on Mount Athos, originally from Liubech of the Grand Principality of Chernigov, returned to Rus' and settled in Kiev as a missionary of monastic tradition to Kievan Rus'. He chose a cave at the Berestov Mount that overlooked the Dnieper river and a community of disciples soon grew. Knyaz (prince) Iziaslav of Kiev ceded the whole mount to the Antonite monks who founded a monastery built by architects from Constantinople.
 
Buildings and structures
 
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra contains numerous amounts of architectural monuments, ranging from belltowers to cathedrals to underground cave systems and to strong stone fortification walls. Of the main attractions of the Lavra include the Great Lavra Belltower, the most notable building of the Kiev skyline and the Dormition Cathedral being destroyed in World War II, and being fully reconstructed in recent years. Numerous other churches and cathedrals of the Lavra include: the Refectory Church, the Church of All Saints, the Church of the Saviour at Berestove, the Church of the Exalation of Cross, the Church of the Trinity, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, the Church of the Conception of St. Anne, and the Church of the Life-Giving Spring. The Lavra also contains many other constructions, including: the St. Nicholas Monastary, the Kiev Theological Academy and Seminary, and the Debosquette Wall.

Great Lavra Belltower
Main article: Great Lavra Belltower
 
The Great Lavra Belltower is the most notable building of the Kiev skyline and is one of the main attractions of the Lavra. It was the highest free-standing belltower at the time of its construction in 1731-1745, and was designed by the architect Johann Gottfried Schädel. It is a Classical style construction and consists of tiers, surmounted by a gilded dome. Its total height is a total of 96.5 meters.
 
Gate Church of the Trinity
Main article: Gate Church of the Trinity (Pechersk Lavra)
 
The Gate Church of the Trinity is located atop the Holy Gates, which houses the entrance to the monstery. According to a legend, this church was founded by the Chernigov Prince Sviatoslav. It was built atop an ancient stone church which used to stand in its place.
 
Church of the Saviour at Berestove
Main article: Church of the Saviour at Berestove
 
The Church of the Saviour at Berestove is located to the North of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. It was constructed in the village of Berestove at the turn of the 11th century during the reign of Prince Vladimir Monomakh. It later served as the mausoleum of the Monomakh dynasty, also including Yuri Dolgoruki, the founder of Moscow. However being outside the Lavra fortifications, the Church of the Saviour at Berestove is part of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra complex.

Taken from wikipedia the free encyclopedia