Kyiv: Day 3

Here are some photos from our third day in Kyiv.  We spent most of the afternoon at St. Sophia Cathedral, which was built very early in the 11th century.  The cathedral was begun by Volodymyr the Great in 1011 and was completed by his son Yaroslav the Wise.  The grounds of the St. Sophia are extensive, and Amy and I were able to visit the belltower, cathedral, Metropolitan's residence, Refectory and bakery.  The interior of St. Sophia is stunning and moving in its ancient splendor.  Photography inside the cathedral is prohibited, but here is an image from the web.  St. Sophia, Kyiv

Amy in Sofievska Square

Amy in Sofievska Square with St. Sophia Cathedral in the background

St. Sophia Cathedral

St. Sophia belltower completed in 1706



View of Sofievska Square from the bell tower





View of St. Michael's from the belltower.



View of St. Sophia from the belltower.

Amy with St. Sophia in the background

Me

Looking down at Amy from the upper level of the belltower.

St. Sophia from Sofievska Square

An art exhibit at St. Sophia. Using 15,000 painted
Easter eggs, artist Oksana Mas recreated a 17th century
icon by Ukrainian painter Ivan Rutkovichby. 

Detail of the above mosaic.

A section of exposed 11th century masonary of the
wall of St. Sophia.  Note the use of Roman style bricks.

Electric Buses. We need more of these in the U.S.

St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral from Sofievska Square