This Soviet 1965 postcard features St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral (Vladimirsky Cathedral) in Kyiv, an outstanding monument of 19th-century Neo-Byzantine architecture.
What is shown on the postcard
The image captures St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral surrounded by lush green foliage and tall poplar trees. The yellow facade of the building is visible, featuring characteristic semicircular windows, arched decorative elements, and dark domes with gilded crosses. The photo was taken in the summertime from across the street (Tarasa Shevchenko Boulevard).
Historical note
The foundation of St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral was laid in 1862 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus. However, construction dragged on and was completed only in 1882. The project was designed by architects Ivan Schtrom, Paul Alisch, and Alexander Beretti. The interior decoration of the temple was completed by prominent artists, including Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov, and Mikhail Vrubel. During the Soviet period, the cathedral remained active (with a temporary closure in the 1930s) and became the cathedral of the Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1944.
Present day
Today, St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral is an active cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The building has fully preserved its historical appearance and artistic interior, serving as a key tourist destination and spiritual center of Kyiv.
Location (map)
Address: 20 Tarasa Shevchenko Boulevard, Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 50.444855, 30.509015
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, Kyiv.
Questions and answers
- When was St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral founded? The construction of the cathedral began in 1862 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus.
- Who was responsible for the interior decoration of the cathedral? The interior murals and artwork were created by renowned artists, including Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov, and Mikhail Vrubel.
- What is the cathedral’s current status? St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral currently serves as an active cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and remains a designated architectural monument.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kyiv from 1965.
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