The upper lavra

Troitska Nadvratna Tserkov(The Holy Trinity Church above the Gate)

The main entrance to the Pechersk Monastery. Decorated in Baroque style.

Was built about 1108 on the initiative of the Chernihiv prince Svyatoslav (also known as Svyatosha) as a defensive tower above the main entrance gate of the Monastery. It is one of the best preserved architectural monuments of ancient Rus in Ukraine. As time passed, only the façade decoration and the form of the vaults, topping the church, were changed. At the beginning of the 18^th century a stone narthex was added to replace the wooden one which had burnt down together with the bell-tower. The walls and arches of the church, as well as narthex are covered with impressive painting which was created much later than the church itself – in the 20s and early 30s of the 18^th century and is considered to be a unique work of art.

The Great Bell Tower (The Great Belfry)

Was built in 1731-44 (45) by the architect Johann Schadel. The four-tired structure, 96.5 meters high, was the greatest architectural achievement of that time. The bells about 100 tons were installed on the third tier; a large clock was put up on the fourth tier. The present clock, made in Moscow, Russia was mounted in 1903. Its mechanism was connected to a system of seven bells.

The Dormition Cathedral (The Uspensky Cathedral)

Has always been the main temple of the Monastery. It was the first stone structure in the Monastery. The construction of the Cathedral was started in Theodosius lifetime, in 1073 and was completed in 1077 (1078, 1079). According to the legend the place of its construction was pointed out by Blessed Virgin herself. The original construction, as the legend has it, took only several days. Each day the erected walls disappeared under the ground and on the sixth day the Cathedral appeared in all its beauty. A miracle-working icon of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin has been kept here.At that time it was only a single-domed church, 43 meters high. In 1082-89 the interior of the church was painted with frescoes and decorated with mosaics.

Throughout many centuries of its history the Cathedral was repeatedly destroyed, but every time it was rebuilt and decorated a new.

After the fire of 1718 its dimensions were considerably enlarged and it grew into a great seven-domed church. It was renewed in the Ukrainian Baroque style.

In the late 19^th century the old murals (walls) were replaced by new ones.

During the World War II a powerful explosion destroyed Dormition Cathedral.

On December 9, 1995 the President of Ukraine L. Kuchma issued a decree on the reconstruction of the Cathedral. The architects decided to restore the Cathedral in 18^th century forms.

In 2000 the majestic Cathedral was rebuilt once again. August 28 was the day of the Blessed Virgin’s Assumption. The Lavra held solemn celebrations, including a celebratory liturgy in Svyato-Uspensky Cathedral. A stele on the territory commemorates the event.

The Refectory and the Refectory Church

Was built in 1893-95 in Byzantine style. Refectory means a dining hall in a religious house.

The first stone Refectory in the Monastery was built in 1108-1110, but it was damaged by earthquake. The second one was built in 1680-90s. In 18^th century the Refectory went through a considerable renovation.

During the Second World War the buildings were damaged and in post-war times they were restored.

The Ukrainian historical figures Ivan Iskra and Vasily Kochubei are buried by the walls of the Refectory.

The Church of All Saints

To the north of the central square, the group of so-called Economic buildings is located.Along the two-storey Economic Block, the street leads to the Economic Gate, with the Church of All Saints. The church is one of the most complete architectural examples of late 17^th century Ukrainian Baroque. The existing wall paintings were done at the beginning of the 20^th century.

The architectural ensemble in the Upper Lavra also include: the Kovnir building (18^th century), St. Nicholas Church (late 17^th century), the buildings housing the cells of the cathedral elders (early 18^th century), the Husbandry building (early 18^th -19^th cc.), the printshop (18^th c.), the Dean’s Residence (early 18^th c.), the Metropolitan residence (1727), the Church of the Annunciation (1904).