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My visit to Kyiv Pechersk Lavra started by jumping on the metro and riding it to the Dnipro stop on the Red Line. From there, it was a pleasant walk along the Dnieper River to my left. The forested Askold’s Grave Park and later Slavy Park were to my right.
I cut inside a bit and found my way to the back gates of the monastery at Lower Lavra. Dnipro probably wasn’t the best metro stop to use, but it worked. You might want to use Arsenalna for your visit.
Church of Our Lady of the Life-Giving Spring
Just outside the gates of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is the Church of Our Lady of the Life-Giving Spring. It was built in 1913 and restored in 2001.
Lower Lavra
After entering the gates I found myself in Lower Lavra where the famous caves are located. I peeked into the Chapel of the Spring of Theodosius before walking through the grounds to a stairway leading up to the caves.
At the top of the stairway is the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a small bell tower, and a great view of Lower Lavra and the river. Behind the church is the monastery garden.
Near Caves
I visited the Near Caves, which are the most interesting part of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. The entrance is located next to the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The caves are about 383m long and between 5m and 20m deep. Before entering, you buy a candle and walk into the caves past the bodies of several saints. Some pious Orthodox Christians will stop and say a prayer at each one and kiss the coffin before moving on. Being a very sacred yet narrow place with many people moving through at once, photography is not allowed. It can take a while to get through the cave system, and if you are claustrophobic or don’t like being in dark places, it might not be the right place for you.
Churches Outside the Western Gate
Although I hadn’t finished with Lower Lavra at that point, I went to visit Upper Lavra and then left the complex for a while to go see the Motherland Monument. On my way there, I visited three churches just outside the Western Gate of the complex. They were the Church of Theodosius of the Caves, the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, and the Church of the Resurrection.
Entering from the Western Gate
When I returned to Kyiv Pechersk Lavra to complete my visit of Lower Lavra, I entered through the Western Gate. I then had to walk down a long path before reaching the main part of the complex.
I then came to the former Church of Our Lady of the Joy of All Who Suffer, which was being used as a small store. A long walk down a covered path took me to the rest of Lower Lavra.
Refectory Church
At the end of the path I found myself facing the Refectory Church and its bell tower. I made my way to the church, passing by a statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
I took a quick walk through the church and the adjacent cemetery.
In front of the church, I was able to get a great look at Upper Lavra and see the monastery offices.
Far Caves
Finally, I walked to the Brotherhood of the Caves where the Far Caves are located. They’re not as big as the Near Caves but similar.
