Dear friends! I don't actually know why I decided to post this blog but I hope you don't mind. Two days ago I was downtown (I rarely go there). The center of Kiev (downtown) is the most ancient part of the city with great architecture and I have always felt something special being there, not to say that I was born and raised in that part of the city. Kiev is an ancient city founded in the 5th century A.D. However, this territory had been populated many centuries before and I want to tell you something about it. I hope you will find it interesting.
Today I want to introduce you some Ukrainian architecture. Architecture is well-known to reflect history of a nation and its development as well as its mentality, dreams and hopes. It is a part of any culture and Ukrainian architecture is considered to be unique, at least by the specialists. I am not a specialist in the field but I am Kiev born and to be born in such an ancient city that is considered to have been "Mother of all Russian towns" (and that is the fact) means to know at least something about it. So, let me show you some famous buildings and tell something about them.
The 10th and 11th centuries were "The Golden Age" of Kiev Russ (it is an ancient name of Ukraine. There was no Russia that time, it was the same country). Unfortunately, I can't show you the oldest buildings, just nothing remained, only basements. But I can tell you that the first brick buildings appeared in the 10th century here.They were churches. They looked like this:
This style is called Byzantine. Architecture of ancient Kiev Russ was greatly influenced by Byzantium as our Grand Prince Vladimer, who actually established this country, married to a Byzantine Princess in the 10th century A.D.. The influence of Byzantine culture affected Ukrainian (and Russian) culture for many ages.
The cathedral on the right was constructed in the 19th century in honor of our greatest Prince Vladimer, the Red Sun. As you can see, its architecture is almost the same. I'd like to say that most of Kiev churches are really outstanding and protected by UNECSO as historic, architectural and art monuments. I want to show you what is inside, OK?
The walls of the cathedral of St.Vladimer were painted by great Russian artists, Vasnetsov brothers and its floor and windows were decorated by famous Italian masters of mosaics and vitrages.
However, what makes our architecture unique is so called Ukrainian Baroque style. One can see such buildings in Ukraine only.
You can see it on the right. It is a monastery founded in the 12th century (reconstructed in the 18th) and called Lavra (cave monastery). The top of its belfry (left, in the rear) is the highest point of the city and it is not permitted to construct buildings overtopping it in Kiev. Lavra is a holly place for all orthodox believers. They come here from different places. Besides, there are graves of some outstanding people. Brothers Cyrill and Mefodiy, who invented the Cyrillic alphabet used by many Slavs till now are buried there as well as Peter Stolypin who is considered to have been the first reformer of Russian economy and who was killed in Kiev at the beginning of the 20th century.
The interior of Lavra churches is typical for old Orthodox ones. Some of decorations and paintings belong to the 13th age ( on the left).
There are many museums on its territory including the museum of Ukrainian Treasures. In its expositions are many rare artifacts like the relicts of Tripolian culture existed on the territory of Ukraine in the III-II centuries B.C., and a lot of others.
However, the greatest exhibit is a gold pectoral, a part of the Scythian gold collection. It is a necklace hand made of pure gold and dated back to the IV th age B.C. Its weight is about 1200 grams and it was found in the perfect state in the 70's of the 20th century. Such necklaces were worn by Scythian tzars. The Scythian populated southern part of Ukraine in the VII-III centuries B.C. One can easily see that their culture was greatly influenced by ancient Greece. The collection of Scythian gold has already traveled all over the world and was exhibited in many famous museums.
In the 18th century that is called "Silver age" here, influence of West European culture was visible in stone more than ever before. The famous Italian architect, Bartolomeo Rastrelly, who designed Russian St.Petersburg, designed one of the greatest buildings in Kiev in honor of Tzarina Elizabeth, a daughter of Peter, the Great (still considered to have been the greatest Russian tzar) who decided to visit Ukraine. You can't imagine that all her way from St. Petersburg to the Crimea was planted with the trees she liked (poplars)! That is why I hate totaletarianism! Those poplars bother us to live till now and call allergy. Anyway, the church is great. You can see it on the left.
It is also Ukrainian Baroque style outside but its walls are painted and decorated in Rococo style . This church has been closed for many years because it is located on the hill above the river. Its basement moves and it is considered to be a pearl of Ukrainian architecture and is under the aegis of UNESCO . But there is a great organ and great acoustics and if some famous musicians come here, they are allowed to give concerts in there (on the right below).
I am sorry for showing you churches only. But, in fact, it is just what we managed to save. We are not that religious and I have had no intention to say anything about faith at all. I just wanted you to see our architecture and understand us a little more. I am going to show you some other interesting places and buildings but I wonder if I can write such a long
blog! Anyway, There is much more than churches here!
I invite you all to visit my city and to fall in love with it as I did many years ago.
Comments
Hello Tanya,
What a post ! Thanks for giving me the envy to visit your city. I love the baroque style for churches, Rococo style is a little too much for me ! Orthodox churches are beautiful, with gold everywhere. The monastery architecture is awesome.
Dear Tara, Ali! Thanks for commenting. I am glad that I am not the only one who likes architecture.
Tara, I also like looking at the old churches. Unfortunately, most of them work, i.e., are used for worshiping. But you know that all christian churches are open for everyone. So, anyone can come in just to see or take pictures or just to have a rest enjoying beauty of great pictures, mosaics, frescoes. As you see, some of old churches are used as concert halls but only those where are no ceremonies. The church of St. Andrew (above) is used for chamber concerts only. It is small and its basement moves not to say that its interior in Rococo style matching chamber music leaves unforgettable impression. There is also another cathedral in Kiev used for concerts of organ music but I am going to tell about it in my next blog.
Ali,you surprise me all the time! You have never told that you are interested in architecture. Anyway, I am sincerely glad to hear your opinion as well as something new about you. As to blogs, you are absolutely right. We post them because we want to share our ideas, vision of the world, our attitude to people and so on. However, tastes differ and it is just impossible to be interesting for everyone. I do realize that this blog of mine is very special but it is not for specialists, by no means. I just wanted to show you my great ancient city.
Thank you both, dear friends!