Last updated on December 20, 2023.

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.

Dnieper River in Kyiv, Ukraine
Dnieper River

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.

Entrance to Lower Lavra at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Entrance to Lower Lavra

 

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.

Church of Our Lady of the Life-Giving Spring at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Church of Our Lady of the Life-Giving Spring
Church of Our Lady of the Life-Giving Spring at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Church of Our Lady of the Life-Giving Spring

 

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.

Chapel of the Spring of Theodosius at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Chapel of the Spring of Theodosius
Lower Lavra at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Lower Lavra
Lower Lavra
Stairway to the Near 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.

Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Bell tower
Lower Lavra at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Lower Lavra
Garden at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
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.

Entrance to the Near Caves at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Entrance to the Near Caves

 

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.

Church of Theodosius of the Caves at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Church of Theodosius of the Caves
Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
St. Sergius of Radonezh
Church of the Resurrection at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Church of the Resurrection
Mosaic on 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.

Western Gate at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Western Gate
Path from the Western Gate at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Path from the Western Gate
Path to the Western Gate

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.

Church of Our Lady of the Joy of All Who Suffer at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Church of Our Lady of the Joy of All Who Suffer

 

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.

Refectory Church and bell tower at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Refectory Church and bell tower
Bell tower
Saints Cyril & Methodius statue at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Saints Cyril & Methodius statue

I took a quick walk through the church and the adjacent cemetery.

Refectory Church at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Refectory Church
Refectory Church at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Refectory Church
Cemetery at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Cemetery
Cemetery

In front of the church, I was able to get a great look at Upper Lavra and see the monastery offices.

View of Upper Lavra at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
View of Upper Lavra
Office of the Kyiv Metropolis at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
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.

Brotherhood of the Caves at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, Ukraine
Brotherhood of the Caves

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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