Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev
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Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev (Собор Святої Софії in Ukrainian) is an outstanding architectural monument of Kievan Rus', the principal cathedral or Kievan metropolitan.
The cathedral's name comes from the Hagia Sophia cathedral in Constantinople. The first foundations were laid in 1037 by prince Yaroslav I the Wise by initiative by his wife Ingegerd Olofsdotter. It is primarily built with plinths. Dimensions - 37 X 55 meters. The cathedral has 5 naves, 5 apses, and 13 cupolas (domes). It is surrounded by two-tier galleries from three sides. The cathedral achieved its present Ukrainian baroque aspect after its reconstruction between the late 17th century - 1707. On the inside, it has mosaics and frescos from the 11th century.
In 1934 the cathedral was confiscated by the Soviets and turned it into an architectural and historical museum/reserve called "Sophia's museum", which, besides the Cathedral itself, includes the surrounding architectural ensemble of the 17th-18th century.
