The Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Cave Monastery) is enlisted in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. It was founded as the first Orthodox Monastery in Kiev Rus in 1051. Its name underlines the fact that Kiev Pechersk Lavra was founded in catacombs (“pechera” means “cave” or “catacomb”). The term Lavra is used in Orthodox Church terminology for the largest and most venerated monasteries.

Annually a million pilgrims visit the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. They make their pilgrimage to the relics of the Saints of Supreme Holiness that can be seen in the Near-By catacombs or in the Far-Off catacombs. The Saints’ bodies were not decomposed, they just dried out. A real mummy can be identified by an exposed hand.

In 1926 the Upper Grounds were proclaimed to be the State Museum. The Assumption Cathedral, the Lavra Bell Tower, the Holy Trinity Gate Church and the Refectory Church are the real gems of Old Rus church architecture. More information can be found on the web-site: www.kplavra.kiev.ua

The Lower Grounds are the active monastery. More information can be found on the web-site: www.lavra.kiev.ua