A 1970 Soviet collectible postcard depicting the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument and the Bell Tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.
What is shown on the postcard
In the left foreground, the equestrian monument to Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky on a mound-shaped granite pedestal is visible. In the center rises the four-tier bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral with a golden dome. Green domes of the cathedral are seen on the right. Soviet-era tour buses are parked on the square in front of the bell tower.
Historical note
The Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument was unveiled in 1888 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Christianization of Rus. The monument was designed by sculptor Mikhail Mikeshin. The bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral, built at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries under Hetman Ivan Mazepa, is an outstanding landmark of Ukrainian Baroque. In the Soviet era, the complex functioned as a state historical and architectural reserve.
Present day
Today, Saint Sophia Cathedral, along with its bell tower and the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The square is a pedestrian area and serves as the main venue for official and festive events in Kyiv.
Location (map)
Address: Sofiiska Square, Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 50.453600, 30.516400
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument on Sofiiska Square in Kyiv.
Questions and answers
- What are the main landmarks on the postcard? The Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument, the bell tower, and the domes of Saint Sophia Cathedral.
- When was the Khmelnytsky monument unveiled? The monument was officially unveiled in 1888.
- What architectural style is the bell tower? The bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral was built in the Ukrainian Baroque style.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kyiv from 1970.
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