Excursion around Pechersk

The “Kosyi Сaponier” (Oblique caponier) – part of the Hospital fortification of the New Pechersk Fortress, built in 1844-1846 to protect the north-west corner of the fortification under an individual project with enhanced weapons (Hospytalna Str., 24-a). It was located at an angle to the moat line, therefore it was called “oblique caponier”. The feature of “oblique caponier” is that it locates on the slope of the Cherepanova hill, and not in the moat, like other caponiers.

It represented a semi-subterranean construction of a parabolic configuration from the outside, brick walls were cut by embrasures for cannons and loopholes for guns. Caponier had 15 artillery embrasures, 6 gun loopholes and a powder chamber of increased size. In addition, it did not have battle casemates, separated from each other by the capital walls, as in the caponiers of I, II, III polygons. Glacies have also been built-gently sloping to improve the conditions of firing ahead of the lying terrain and to protect the fortification from the west. Caponier’s vaults rested on the outer walls and walls of the powder chamber, resulting in a single casemate, encompassing the perimeter of the powder chamber.

Connection with the caponier was carried out through a tunnel, the entrance to which was located in the counterscarp of the fortified moat. Since 1863 the Kosyi Caponier was used as a prison for prisoners of the Polish uprising. Here, single and mass cells, two punishment cells and a guardroom were set up. Within its walls were participants of an armed insurrection of November 18, 1905, as well as soldiers of the 41st Selinginsky Infantry Regiment and the 21st Sapper Battalion of the uprising of July 4, 1907. For a harsh regime, the military-political prison “Kosyi Caponier” was nicknamed ” Kyiv’s Shlisselburg “.

Hospital fortification is a part of the architectural complex “Kiev Fortress”, it is a semi-underground construction. There are embrasures and loopholes, as well as guns that are represented on the perimeter of the caponier. The fortification was erected in 1844. It includes the defensive structure “Oblique caponier”, located at an angle to the earthen rampart of the fortress.

There is also the northern half-tower, the northern gate with a caponier, a military hospital with a tower, a caponier of 1-3 polygons in the hospital fortification. They all preserved to this day. It is considered to be the largest preserved stone-earth fortress in Europe and the second largest in the world.

Zverinets Caves and Archangel Mykhail Monastery is an ancient Russian abode, it was presumably founded in the XI–XIIth centuries on the territory of the Zverinets that were the hunting grounds of Vsevolod the Kiev prince. It was destroyed in 1096–1097 by the Polovtsi. The caves of the monastery were found at the end of XIXth century. The monastery was partially rebuilt in 1913. A cave church and a small cell were found not far from the entrance to the caves, an underground corridor with 40 tombs is represented to the left of it.

Ancient Russian drawings and inscriptions, including the famous Zverinets Cross have been preserved on the walls. The Archangel Mykhail Monastery was established on the basis of the Zverinets Skete in 2009. Two churches were built: the Zverinets Venerable Fathers Cathedral, the Mother of God Icon Cathedral. The caves of the monastery are a monument of archeology of national importance. According to one version, the library of Yaroslav the Wise could be kept in the caves of the skete. Caves are visited not only by pilgrims, but also by tourists.

The Monument to Motherland was opened in 1981 on the Victory Day and it is included in ten highest statues in the world, whose height is 102 m. The construction from stainless steel is all-welded weighing 450 t. The statue symbolizes the feminine principle, the strength of the spirit of the Ukrainian people and it was established on the slopes of the Dnieper so that it can be seen even in remote areas of Kiev. There are two elevators and observation platforms, with an impressive view of the city in the monument.

One site is located at the feet of the statue at a height of 36 m (the height of a 12-storey building), the other – at a height of 91 m (from the back of the shield above the fingers of the left hand of the sculpture). Today it is the largest sculpture in Ukraine, and it is included in the “Guinness World Records Book of Ukraine”. The Museum of Ukraine in World War II is locted at the foot of the monument.

The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was founded in 1051 by St. Anthony, the Monk, settling in the caves of the future Pechersk Monastery. It is from the caves that the monastery takes its name. At the request of St. Antony, Izyaslav, the Prince gave the monastery the territory, which includes the whole mountain above the caves. In 1062 the monastery was called Pechersk. the territory of the monastery has begun to be built since the end of the XIth century.

It was in the walls of the Caves Monastery in 1113 that Nestor the Chronicler wrote “The Tale of Bygone Years” – the main source of modern knowledge about Kievan Rus. The monastery received the status of the monastery in 1688. The Lavra is an honorary title, which was given only to large and significant monasteries. The Kiev-Pechersk Monastery becomes a spiritual and cultural-enlightenment centre. The territory of the monastery includes Near and Far Caves. Today there are museums, unique shrines on the territory of Lavra, as well as there the relics of saints in the caves.

Askold’s grave is located on the Park road. According to the legend, in 882 Oleg, the Novgorod Prince, lured Askold and Dir, the princes of Kiev, to this place, and killed, because they did not belong to the Rurikovich family. Oleg also ascended the throne of Kiev. Askold was called to the throne by the Kievans, but according to other annals, Dir and Askold took power arbitrarily.

According to the legend, Askold is buried at the scene of the murder. In the Xth century Olga, the Princess, built the wooden church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the honour of Askold. But in 971 Svyatoslav, the son of Olga, destroyed the church. In 990, Vladimir, the Prince, built the church, and in 1036 a female monastery was founded here. The grave of Askold is located in the basement under the church, where there is an ancient stone sarcophagus.

The Plant “Arsenal” is a historical and architectural monument, it is located on the former territory of the Old Pechersk fortress on Lavrskaya Str., 12–14. Initially, there was the Ascension Convent on this place. The monastery was closed in 1712, and buildings began to be used as an artillery zeyhgauz on its territory. In 1784, a cannon yard was opened here, where the guns, artillery equipment and so on were repaired and manufactured. The erection of the Arsenal building was begun in 1784.

Arsenal was to become one of the largest in Russia. The walls of the Arsenal are up to 2 m thick. The arms were repaired and manufactured, including artillery at the plant in the XVIII–XIX centuries. Arsenal was also used as an armory. The plant has existed by 2009 and it was closed because of bankruptcy. The museum complex “Mystetsky Arsenal” operates in the historical building of the Arsenal now. The museum was founded in 2006 on the initiative of V. Yushchenko.

Vydubytsky Monastery is located in the Vydubytsky tract, on a hill above the Dnieper. According to the legend, the pagan idol of Perun, thrown into the Dnieper by Prince Vladimir, was “poured out” on the shore. The origin of the name came after underground monastery, which later “poured out” on the surface. Vydubytsky Monastery was founded in the XIth century by Vsevolod Yaroslavich, the Son of Yaroslav the Wise, the Prince. The main temple of the monastery was laid in 1070, which was partially preserved to the present day.

In 1696 -1701 years. St. George’s Cathedral was built in the monastery, where the relics of St. George, Barbara the Great Martyr, John, etc. are represented. Today there is a shelter for elderly clergy, a school for children from low-income families, workshops, a school of church singing and a clinic in the monastery. Previously, there was a cemetery on the territory of the monastery. 13 graves have been preserved until now. There is a well on the territory there, in which one can get healing water.

Grishko Botanical Garden has been founded since 1935 on the initiative of V.I. Lipsky, a famous florist and scientist. A plot of 117 hectares land was allocated on Zverinets. The difficulties of building a garden were insufficient funding, and two-thirds of the territory was private property. About 1050 species of plants and 1000 taxons of greenhouse crops were managed to collect under the open sky by the beginning of the 1940s. The Botanical Garden has been opened for visitors since 1964.

Not only scientists-botanists and breeders come here, but also Kyivans, as well as visitors to the city. The botany lessons are taught here for students. M. Grishko Botanical Garden (world famous scientist-botanist) is a part of the natural reserve fund of Ukraine, it is a monument of natural and historical and cultural significance that is one of the leading gardens in Europe. The Botanical Card is a type of lilac with an area of 2.45 hectares, thousands of visitors come to admire it every spring.