About this excursion

Type of excursion

Religious tour, History and culture, Sightseeing and History

This sightseeing tour is the first introduction to St. Sophia Cathedral — the main metropolitan temple of Kyivan Rus-Ukraine, where the ceremonies of "enthronement" of princes to the throne of Kyiv took place, receptions of foreign ambassadors to conclude agreements, chronicles were kept, and the first known library in Kyivan Rus was created.

You will see ancient architecture and a complex of mosaic and fresco paintings of the 11th century, unique in its integrity, and learn about the dedication of the cathedral. Your attention will be drawn to the magnificent image of the Virgin Mary of Oranta, the gilded wooden iconostasis of the 18th century, the marble sarcophagus decorated with carvings, in which the great prince of Kyiv, Yaroslav the Wise, was buried in 1054. You will also visit Sofia Bell Tower. You can climb the ancient narrow stairs to the second tier, where the bell, cast by order and at the expense of Hetman Ivan Mazepa, is kept. It will also be possible to look at the city from a bird's eye view (because the height of the Bell Tower is 76 m).