A 1979 Soviet collectible postcard showing the Cathedral Square of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv.
What is shown on the postcard
The image captures a view of the Cathedral Square. In the foreground stands the Church of St. John the Forerunner (the former chapel of the destroyed Dormition Cathedral) featuring a single gilded dome and a green roof. To the right, the preserved ruins of the Dormition Cathedral (the Great Church), which was blown up in 1941, are visible. The Great Lavra Bell Tower rises in the background. A group of visitors is seen walking across the asphalted square.
Historical note
The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is one of the oldest Orthodox monasteries of Rus, founded in 1051 during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise. The Great Bell Tower was built in 1731–1745 according to the design of architect Johann Gottfried Schädel. The Dormition Cathedral, the main church of the Lavra, was destroyed by an explosion during the Nazi occupation of Kyiv in November 1941, leaving only the adjoining St. John the Forerunner chapel and parts of the walls standing.
Present day
In 2000, the destroyed Dormition Cathedral was fully reconstructed in the Ukrainian Baroque style. Today, the Cathedral Square is completely renovated, with the asphalt pavement replaced by stone paving. The entire Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and functions as an active monastery and the largest museum complex in Ukraine.
Location (map)
Address: 15 Lavrska St, Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 50.434900, 30.557600
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Cathedral Square of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
Questions and answers
- Which church is depicted in the foreground of the postcard? The foreground features the Church of St. John the Forerunner, which survived the destruction of the Dormition Cathedral in 1941.
- What are the ruins visible to the right of the church building? To the right are the wall fragments and preserved ruins of the Dormition Cathedral (the Great Church), which was blown up during the Nazi occupation of Kyiv.
- What is the current state of this architectural ensemble? In 2000, the Dormition Cathedral was fully reconstructed in its original Baroque style, the square was paved, and the entire Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kyiv from 1979.
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