Saint Sophia's Cathedral, Kiev

The Cathedral of St. Sophia ( Софійський собор ) in Kiev, Ukraine is one of the most outstanding buildings Euro- Christian culture. It was started at the beginning of the 11th century, destroyed several times over the centuries, rebuilt and extended. Since 1990 she is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

• 2.1 wall decoration
• 2.2 sarcophagi
• 2.3 bell
• 2.4 floor
• 2.5 Underground

History

First year and subsequent destruction

In the traditions of the start of construction is indicated by the year 1037, after the Kiev Prince Yaroslav 1036 could defeat the Wise ( Ярослав Мудрий ) the Pechenegs.

The cathedral was a seven -domed five-aisled cruciform church with an open gallery after the Byzantine model - especially after the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople Opel - built. The main cathedral in the Kievan Rus it was their Christian and cultural significance after called to bear witness to the wisdom of Christianity and the consolidation of political power of the Rus. The cathedral was the center of cultural and political life of the ancient Russian state. Among other things the throne ascents of Kievan princes took place, was held here Kievan People's Assembly ( Veče ), where state guests were received and performed Hofzeremonielle. As namesake Sophia served as a symbol of wisdom.

The dimensions of the Cathedral - 37 meters long, 55 meters wide and up to the central dome 29 meters high - were impressive for its time. The cathedral served as a burial place of Kievan princes. As an important tomb is the tomb of Yaroslav the Wise has received to date, which was buried here in 1054.

After the Mongol invasion in the Rus ( mid 13th century ) lost not only the city of Kiev a their central political and cultural function, the Saint Sophia Cathedral church lost its meaning. The church was partially destroyed, transferred the seat of the metropolitans to Novgorod Veliky (and later to Moscow ). In the following two centuries, the cathedral has been increasingly destroyed by further incursions of the Crimean Tatars in Kiev.

First reconstruction

At the beginning of the 17th century, the Metropolitan Petro Mohyla eventually prompted a reconstruction. To this end, the Italian architect Octaviano Mancini was invited, under whose direction the work carried out in 1630. Here, the interior has remained virtually unchanged, so that the great Byzantine impression has survived to this day. In contrast, the outer church was enlarged by closing the outer galleries, however, a number of wooden structures were preserved.

Second reconstruction and decommissioning

After the year 1697, a great fire had severely damaged the cathedral, was Tsar Peter I built a completely new stone church in the Ukrainian Baroque style. The building was raised by one floor and also added six domes in typical pear shape. The grounds of the St. Sophia Cathedral was given a perimeter wall and other buildings like the Metropolitan Palace, the South Gate, the refectory (as heated church also called " Hot Sophie " ) and the Spiritual seminar were built. Especially prevalent is the new bell tower, which was built above the main entrance from 1699 to 1707. After an increase to a fourth floor ( 1851), he is now 76 meters high.

1934, during the period of membership of the Soviet Union, the building complex was closed as a church facility and opened as a " State Reserve Sophia Museum ".

Attempt to revive a church use

Only with the separation of Ukraine from the crumbling Soviet Union in 1991, the St. Sophia Cathedral was again handed over to the Orthodox Church. But in the following years there were significant disputes within the Orthodox Church on the membership of the Cathedral, either to the Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate and the Moscow Patriarchate. There were also claims of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Since these disputes could not be resolved, the Ukrainian state prevailed and closed again Sophia Cathedral for church and liturgical purposes. It is since then a museum complex, which also belongs to the World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Interior decoration

Wall decoration

The interior was also done according to the Byzantine model mainly by wall paintings ( frescoes approximately 3,000 square feet ) and approximately 260 square feet of mosaics. These are the large mosaic of the "Pray Rosary " ( "Orans ") in the altar apse and the mosaic of Christ allherrschenden ( " Pantocrator ") in the central dome. Counts show that 177 different shades of color are used for the mosaics. On the second floor today mosaics and frescoes are on display from the Michael Cathedral, made ​​in the 12th century.

Today a golden iconostasis decorates the main room, in which only a few originals have survived. Many icons disappeared in the 1930s.

Sarcophagi

In adjacent rooms of the cathedral are the custom built in the 8th century white marble sarcophagus of Yaroslav the Wise and his wife Irina

Bell

On the second floor of the cathedral, a 13 -ton bronze bell is suspended, which dates from the year 1705.

Floor

The floor of the cathedral was decorated with colorful paintings, some of which remains could be uncovered. As a permanent plaque donated a Russian businessman in the 19th century cast iron tiles, whose motives absorb the Byzantine origin again.

Underground

According to unconfirmed information and a publication should be located under the Cathedral Caves. This suggests experts have not yet been rediscovered extensive library of Yaroslav the Wise. In 1916 the first excavations took place, which were not completed due to political development.

Impacts of adjacent activities

2002 should be installed with fitness center in close proximity to the building ensemble of the Cathedral of St. Sophia in a densely built-up residential complex underground parking and a swimming pool. Due to the large excavated earth and the extensive construction work, there was earth movements that threaten the fabric of the whole ensemble of the St. Sophia Cathedral. The big bell tower, which had already achieved over the centuries a slight obliquity, bowed - not visible - a little further and parts of the wall at the individual buildings were cracked. After major damage were fears that the construction work finally had to be stopped. However, no one could be blamed for the damage caused.

The Saint Sophia Cathedral in the arts and media

On a recent Russian coin the Kiev Sophia Cathedral was mapped. On the rear side of the two- hryvnia certificate is to be seen. In 1965 Yuri Khimich painted the building ensemble, which was played in 2005 on a Ukrainian stamp.