The most beautiful religious buildings Ukraine

One of the most famous cathedrals of Ukraine under the patronage of UNESCO. It derives its name from the Byzantine basilica of Sainte-Sophie in Istanbul (today a museum after being transformed into mosques by the Ottomans). Founded in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav Mudriy and remaniée on several occasions, it is a superb testimony to Baroque art. Scientists consider it a perfect model of the synthesis of the arts that reflects the glory and grandeur of Kiev Rus. It was erected in the th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and for a long time was the centre of the religious, political, cultural and social life of ancient Rus. It was the crowning place of princes and reception of foreign ambassadors. The first library created in Eastern Europe took place in the Cathedral. The Sarcophage sarcophagus is exposed in the temple on the left side. It has become an essential figure in the history of the city and even of Russia. He was a great diplomat and his daughter Anna became Queen of France around 1050. Byzantine mosaics of the th century are preserved partially, but what remains and absolutely exceptional. There are 177 different colour tones. The central apse is dominated by the mosaic of the Virgin praying, which is said to protect Kiev. The museum and the main tower can also be visited. From the top of the tower (76 m) opens a 360-degree panorama on Kiev. In front of the church is a statue of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

Founded in 1108 by Prince Sviatopolk, the cathedral to the golden domes is a symbolic monument for Ukrainians because it is dedicated to angel Mykhaïl, the prince of angels. Its majestic domes encouraged the warriors defending the Russia of Kiev against the invaders from the th century. We note at the entrance of the frescoes representing the ancient city. In the th century the relics of Saint Barbara were transferred here, one can always see them on the left. Like dozens of other churches, Saint-Mykhaïl was destroyed by communists in the 1930 s. Its reconstruction according to the original plans was completed in 2000-2001. Now gold domes are again watching Kiev. On the left of the church you can see a monument to the victims of the great famine of 1931 and 1933. Indeed, in the 1930 s, Stalin began to eliminate the rich farmers, the koulaks, whose Ukraine was particularly full. He decided to decimate the Ukrainian people by famine. We can see on the front of the church, three groups of statues: on the left, André represents the beginning of the Christian religion in the first century; in Olga, the first "converted" to Christianity of Kiev Rus; on the right, St Cyril and St Methodius.

Between 1862 and 1890 the Church of St. Vladimir, devoted to the prince who moved Kiev Rus from Paganism to Christianity, presents characteristic features of Byzantine style. The reasons for conversion of Kyiv Rus to Christianity in Byzantium are numerous: need a marriage with the sister of the Byzantine emperors, diplomatic relations between Byzantium and the Kev Rus, need to unify the state with a religion. Vladimir having conquered the town of Chersonèse, it was there that he received baptism in 988. By entering right, one can see Olga, Vladimir's grandmother who had already converted to Christianity and Vladimir. Within the church itself, two paintings draw attention to: on the right of the nave the baptism of Vladimir, and left the baptism of the Kiéviens, thrown into the waters of the Dnipro. The relics of Saint Macari are exposed. According to legend, he was in the process of saying mass when the "enemies" (history does not say which), arrived. The entire people took refuge in the wood and could be saved. Macari has been massacred. It was through his prayers and the mass that he was celebrating, that the village was saved. His sacrifice went to posterity. Finally, before exiting the church, don't forget to lift your eyes before crossing the door of the nave, to see a magnificent table representing the last Judgment.

This Catholic church of 1746 is one of the oldest monuments in the city. Built in néorenaissance and baroque style, it is located in the city centre on the old castle hill. In 1801, it was rebuilt in classical style. Next door is a 26 m bell.

Located in one of the main streets of the city, the Gothic Cathedral Saint-Nicolas was built in 1899 by the architect Horodetsky. This original Gothic building is distinguished in the city by its two long and wavy towers. Catholic religious services take place every week. It also hosts organ concerts.

This th century church is one of the best examples of the architecture of Podol'e. Its interiors are richly decorated.

Situated between the bus station and the central square, this beautiful Renaissance-style synagogue (th century) deserves a stop. King Ian III Sobeski largely supported his construction. A defensive type, this synagogue is typical of the synagogues of Eastern Europe, with a large square room in square shape and a separate porch for women. The Jewish community of Zhovkva was very large and powerful. Unfortunately the synagogue was burned by Nazi soldiers in 1941. Then, in the Soviet era, she was a depository. Today it is undergoing reconstruction, but work is progressing very slowly because of lack of funding.

The Cathédrale Cathedral (Assumption) is dominated by the Sommet Hill. At the foot of the façade of the cathedral, the offers a wide view of the village and hills of the surrounding area.

The cathedral of the Dormition is a legacy of the century of Catholic tutelage of the monastery (1720-1831). Built on the plans of the German architect Gottfried Hoffman between 1771 and 1783, in a style that holds both neo-classicism and baroque of Central Europe, has the image of its high beige façade wavy but framed of two towers with more linear shapes, the cathedral was designed by its Polish founder Count Nicolas Potocki as the largest church in the Greco-catholic world (uniate) of its time. After the return of laure to orthodox worship in 1831, the interior decorations of the Cathedral of the Dormition were redefined, in favour of a style more in keeping with the orthodox canons.

From the outset, the cathedral welcomes the icon «Sainte-Marie de Pochaiv», in its nave, on the right, behind the pilgrims. The light of candles shines the riza (dress) or oklad (cover), finely chiselled metal protection which covers and orne the revered icon and leaves only the faces and hands of the Mother of God and of Christ child. The heavy gold crown surrounding the icon and prolongs the brightness of the riza is a present of Pope Clement XIV (1769-1774), a sign of the benevolent response of Rome to Nicolas Potocki, the zealous protector of the monastery, which in 1773 asked for recognition by the Catholic Church of the miraculous virtues of the icon. The tomb of Nicolas Potocki is also in the cathedral. 

Built from 1906 to 1912 by the young architect "New Russian" Alexey Schusev (1873-1949), recognised later for his constructivism which will mark the highest places in Moscow - including the Red Square by his Lenin mausoleum - the cathedral of the Trinity, with heavy shapes, looks like a medieval church in Northern Russia.

On this great, very austere white bloc, percé tiny windows and covered with a single golden dome, only the main entrance - surmounted by Theotokos - and the closed door of the southern facade - which bears a Byzantine Christ - are strongly decorated by the paintings and symbolists mosaics, masterpieces "New Russian" by Nicholas Roerich. There are also two semi-subterranean churches of the late th century: Saint-Job and Saints-Antoine-et-Théodose.

Built between 1891 and 1892, this temple was built in honour of the prophet Ilya beside the port. It served as a place of worship for the important Greek community that still lived in the city in the late th century. This community, which survécue from antiquity, finally left the Crimea in 1917 partly then during the Second World War. The church itself is fairly classic, but the ceiling can be seen.

This church contains the tombs of the admirals who defended the city against the Franco-English invasion of 1854-1855. The church consists of two «floors» on the left of the entrance, a staircase down to the crypt which contains the tombs of Kornilov, Nakhimov and Isnilov. The building dates back to the end of the th century, but the war damaged the building that is still in restoration today, but it radiates a strength and special piety to the churches hosting the great defenders of the Russian homeland.

This building is a perfect example of an orthodox temple built according to the criteria of ancient Greek architecture. Before being in stone, a wooden church was there, but the building was destroyed during a storm. The new temple was built in 1844 and restored twice. Until recently this place of worship housed a house of culture; Due to the sound acoustics of the building, concerts were held there. The temple has since returned to its first use.

It is one of the historic jewels of the city, with its domes influence.

It was in this church that Chekhov and Olga Knipper married in 1902.

In 1887, Church leaders in St. Petersburg agreed to leave a small land with a «Cafa» home if a church was built there. The city's citizens then offered another ground to build the grand temple of Railway.

In 1890, the temple received a copy of the Old Testament. At the beginning of the th century, the stone cathedral was built instead of the wooden temple. The temple opened its doors in 1943.

Dating back to 1819, this temple, like most churches in the region, was razed by the Turkish invaders. It was at the request of Tsar Nicolas II, visiting the region, that it was rebuilt in 1912.

It is a perfect example of medieval architecture. Paintings representing Jesus Christ and the apostles were still visible in the late nineteenth century. Today this temple has been restored.