Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center in Shenandoah

This is a refreshingly happy of sorts religious monument. Forget about being a tourist and just join the crowds, go around and soak the atmosphere. You’ll see groups praying, pilgrims kissing icons, priests care of daily chores and the like. Highly recommended if you’re into vibe and not just seeing a monument.

It’s not really “free” to enter but 100 UAH to pay.But of course it’s worth paying the amount as you’ll get to see amazing monastery with so many beautiful ornaments around.Do not miss the viewpoint as you’ll be able to see nice view under the river and to the war museum down south.

Imressive complex of monasteries. The caves are actually dark, narrow passages

Good view. HARASOY MESTA. Good place. Absolutely need to visit there!!!

Wonderfull monastery and impressive "caves".Just a pity, thats my personal opinion, that there are.so many markets, shops ... Religion / money.Its true, nobody is forced to buy sth.Anyway, wonderfull place !!!Enjoy the visit to think about what is really important in your life.!!

To see that how important religion is and bears basic values for Ukrainian people, one cannot be surpired to see this monastery complex being a historical site and a day-to-day worship place at once. The buildings are in very good shape and the architecture - just like in all Kiev and Ukrain - are so compelling and uplifting that one start to wonder how they keep in touch with God real time? Visit the catacombs to see the preserved history and stroll along with the locals to feel their love and devotion first hand. Out of tradition and respect ladies has to wear a skirt and a scarf over head but dont worry, they are well equipped to provide you with these! Takig pictures obviously prohibited down there but you will never forget this experience!

Even being an atheist, its a lovely place to visit

Full of interesting historical buildings and small museums, nice way to spend few hours. You can climb the bell tower for a nice panoramic view of Kiev.

Enjoyed the experience. The church is picturesque. Be ready to walk alot as there is a ton to see. Estimated time to check everything except the caves is a good 2-3hours.If you want to see the caves then remember it shuts by 16:30.

Quite a big place. Need time to explore everything here.Tip: If coming afternoon, visit the caves first where mummies are preserved as the caves close at 4.30pm (I missed it 😭)....

Beautiful place! Please allow time to visit all the sites inside and get a guided tour! I didnt get a guide and regret it tremendously. A visit to the tower is a must! Great view of the monastery from above.

Really great place! Around £3 entry to all the sites including the catacombs and belltower. Really interesting historical adventure of 3-4 hours. Not particularly wheelchair friendly or for people with reduced mobility. Highly recommended.

Beautiful place!!! Lots to see so make sure you have plenty of time. The bell tower is a little bit of a workout but completely worth it. The architecture, artwork, grounds and history is quite amazing.

You are the stairs, check the splendid view out of the bell top. Right, visiting the caves are pretty unforgettable experience indeed.

One of a must see historian landmark while youre visiting Kiev. I highly suggest you get a tour with one of the monks they be able to tell you all about the monastery. I took a tour in Russian not sure if they speak English

Probably the number one tourist spot in Kyiv once you paid your respects on the Independence square is the Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra. This ancient orthodox monastery It is one of the oldest preserved structures from the times of the Kievan Rus and one of the most beautiful example of orthodox sacral architecture in the world. Its typical golden domed towers shine over the whole city.The complex is divided in two parts - Lower and Upper Lavra. The Lower one has free admission and is still seat of a male monastic order, in the Upper part you can find all the well known churches and other religious buildings. The entrance fee is 25 UAH and if you want to take pictures, that would be extra 100 (crazy, right?)more on my Youtube channel Lex Universe :)

Beautiful ancient russian orthodoxmonastery! Not recommended for small children.

It seems to be a complex of church and holy place- i just describe my experience. there was many priest i think it is kind of university for them as well. again i just describe my conclusion. The whole are is so big there was a amazing wooden bridge with nice view - the place had such a relaxing environment - there was a entry fee (very littleto the main churches, it was a underground type with no light. you could buy some candle as a donation and use it to light the inside church cus it was dark.It was near a museum and motherland statue. so you can visit both at once.

Today is the feast of Venerable Father St. Anthony of the Caves: co-founder of Kiev Pechersk Lavra & the monastic tradition of Kievan Rus’.

One of the oldest and most significant places of Ukrainian and Kievan Rus’ cultural history.

This is one of the oldest parts of Kyiv and is a series of churches and monastery buildings constructed atop an artificial cave network. Within the caves are the tombs of Orthodox saints, naturally mummified. The lower section, including the caves, is controlled by the monastery, while the upper parts are run by the state and include a variety of museums. The caves can be quite confusing and one may need a guide to fully understand what is being seen. The caves are low in places and taller people will need to stoop sometimes. Photography is not permitted within the caves and they are unlit, meaning that you will need to carry a candle with you. There are two sets of caves, one nearer the main monastery and the other further away and connected by a wooden covered walkway.The upper part contains the bell tower. Only the lower segment of the bell tower was open when we were there, but this was still quite high and gives some stunning views of the monastery, of Rodina Mat in the distance and of the River Dnieper itself.The main church of Pechersk Lavra is very lavish both inside and out and is well worth seeing. There is a smaller Refectory Church, with a large circular dome, which has some very interesting examples of Orthodox Art Nouveau paintings from the early 20th-century.The upper part of the complex holds a number of museums. I only visited the microminiatures museum and the treasure museum, but there were a number of others and one could spend quite some time here, although each individual museum is small.

I would recommend any religious and non religious person to visit this monastery especially the lower caves. The architecture and symbology has a lot of meaning and is very beautiful. The whole place resonates with what is inside of you and you always leave in high spirits. Women, for the caves, remember to bring a scarf to cover your hair and if possible a skirt that goes past your knees (there are kilts if you forget). Also purchase a candle 🕯 (costs penniesto walk through the dim lit caves.

Beautiful complex. Its very large, and there are many places you can enter. There are two sets of caves, which are quite similar to each other. Its free to enter the caves, but its suggested you buy a candle (very inexpensiveto see around, as theyre quite dark. Going into most of the churches and chapels are also free. Women should wear a longer skirt or pants, but if youre wearing something short, or your pants are deemed too tight, they have wraps you can borrow. Definitely worth a look around, and you can easily spend a few hours there looking at everything.

History, buildings and traditions... A must visit to understand this side of the world. Very nice place for walk and watch architecture.

The biggest religious place I have ever seen, and it is beautiful and clean. You can see a lot of ceremonies while you are visiting. Great way to observe and meet with new cultures.

Absolutely must visit place.Entrance fee 50 grivnas per person.There you feel in piece with own thoughts.Food places available.Coffee available.Toilets are clean and free of charge.Photography allowed.Underground tunnels are breathtaking.

Very beautiful churches and views. The caves close at 4 30-- definitely worth seeing if you go there. The priests love their Audis and Mercedes. Kind of makes you question where church money is going.

Amazingly beautiful. Worth visiting when in Kyiv and if you have a good day to dedicate. Not only the church but Monastery is full of beautiful holy places and micro environments, quite relaxing for visitors.

Good choice to stroll arround and get to know about religion in Kiev. They jave some marvelous churches with golden decorations and they are reallg breath taking. You will need some guts to go down inside the crypts as they can be spooky. However I appreciate the devotion of religios people in Ukraine.

Beautiful place that impressed me very much. You feel the history of the buildings through the walls. Worth to see it visiting Kijev. Inside there is few places where you can sit down and enjoy the silence. Keep in mind that it is a holly place, so I recommend to stay quiet to not disturb prayers.

This place is easy to get to from the metro station. The views are beautiful. I went quite late, just before sundown to visit and capture good light. Well worth a visit and you can then walk down to motherland statue. Very beautiful place.

Beautiful architecture tells you about the history of the monks. Recommend a tour guide if you dont speak Ukrainian.

Utterly beautiful place with so many churches and bell towers to explore. This should be the highlight of your trip to Kiev.

Probably one of the places I liked most in Kiev. Beautiful area, buildings and vibe. Was in the mass and loved it. Totally recommended!!! Try to visit this place with a lot of time and dont forget to visit the caves :)

If you are curious about orthodox church come here and youll see a lot of culture. When I was there I saw dozens of priests walking around doing their daily shores and a small faire selling all sorts of honeys and other small products that I wasnt be able to figure it out what it was. During my visit I just see the sorrondings of the monasteries. It cost you to get in to see the surroundings and to enter the various places, and I found it a bit pricey. Along side of that its a bit confusing to walk around there and to know where to go, if youre like me just follow the more experience persons and youll be ok

The Perchersk Lavra is one of the best places Ive ever seen! The monastery complex is huge and there is SO much to see. I would recommend seeing the main building, the caves and the folk and miniature art museum. It is all breathtaking and so beautiful. The caves are a wonderful experience, you dont have to be religious, just cover your hair and skin and remember to have some change to hand for your candle. This is a must see!! Oh and the bell tower offers spectacular views of the city!

I recommend going up the bell tower, there is an amazing view and it is completely worth the climb

Beautifully set next to a public park along the hilly river banks of the river Dnepr the Monastery of the Caves, with good reason inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a cultural attraction one shouldnt miss out on. It contains several structures from bell tower to cathedral to churches and the caves, of course. Entrance fee is 70 UAH/adult, kids up to 6 years are free, families (2 adults + 2 kidsare looking at 170 UAH.

A unique place to see. There’s spectacular view when you up to bell tower. So I definitely recommended. You must pay extra for taking professional photos but not for phone camera.

The magical December fog 2017 enveloping the holy places of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Indescribable feeling of a fairy tale in reality. Fantastic, incomparable feelings from visiting unic ancient caves with the relics bones of the Holy Fathers. Absolutely obligatory to visit a place in ancient Kiev - the mother of Russian cities.

This place is so divine and beautiful - its almost unreal! Chanting of the orthodox priest during the service makes this place timeless. When in Kiev, if only see this place and nothing else - it is enough.

Kyiv Underground (caveMonastery. (WikipediaSince its foundation as the cave monastery in 1051[3] the Lavra has been a preeminent center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe. Together with the Saint Sophia Cathedral, it is inscribed as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site.[4][nb 1] The monastery complex is considered a separate national historic-cultural preserve (sanctuary), the national status to which was granted on 13 March 1996.[6] The Lavra is not only located in another part of the city, but is part of a different national sanctuary than Saint Sophia Cathedral. While being a cultural attraction, the monastery is once again active, with over 100 monks in residence.[citation needed] It was named one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraineon 21 August 2007, based on voting by experts and the internet community.

Its AMAZING! The concentration of gorgeous churches is worth seeing. I highly recommend going.

this monastery was one of the most beautiful Ive seen. it is big and super fancy, so definotely worth paying the entrance fee (which is about 1€ for students). also take your time to climb the tower (again ~1€ for students, adults ~2€because from there you can see the main church in all its beauty!

Amazing place. Must visit... Spend time here and you will not be regretting it... There is just so much to do... Worth half a days visit... Do visit the microminiature gallery and the bell tower ... Take an excursion for the caves... They are amazing and there is a lot to learn about Ukraine and Kiev in the caves

Very beatiful and definetly a must see. I recommend getting a guide so you can see everything including the caves with Saints Holy Relics. God bless!

For me, this is the high light of Kiev. Walking around in the caves under the church and seeing all the mummified saints in their small coffins. Local come here to really worship them, so the atmosphere is quite serious. Where long trousers, and ladies, cover your heads. Not all tourists do, but show some respect.There are caves on top of the hill and at the bottom of the hill. The ones at the bottom of the hill are way more quiet, because the tourists from touring cars only visit the ones on top of the hill. That makes the ones at the bottom of the hill a much more tranquil experience. But the ones on top of the hill have a little underground chapel that is interesting to visit. Be sure to wait in line on busy days.Nowadays, in both caves, parts have been closed off for tourists. These parts are only accessible with a prayer pass. So you really get to walk through just one hallway of a maze of chambers. But still, its worth it to visit both the upper and lower caves.Entrance into the caves is for free, but you have to pay to visit the churches on top. If you dont mind paying, go though the main entrance. You will end up at the caves eventually. If you only want to see the caves, walk past the main entrance of the church area and look for the back entrance near the parking lot. Follow the locals that look like they are going to church and you will find the entrances to the caves.

Beautiful architecture. Worth walking around the area and climb the tower to get a 360 view of the site.

This is more like a religious theme park. There are many interesting things to see for sure. Do not miss the cave walk through with real coffins with glass lids and properly covered dead people. There are at least two churches on the grounds and when I was there I inadvertently walked into two different weddings being performed. No signs or people stopping me. Embarrassing. The museum section is limited but unique. Not all of the signs are in English but a fair percentage are so I was able to stumble around successfully unguided. Guide service is available for a price. The property space is large and on a hillside. A lot of walking required. There is a couple small outdoor souvenir markets and a very small snack stand.

The place is quite intriguing! This 1000 year old monastery complex is definitely worth a visit. HOWEVER I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU TO GET THE MAP OF THE COMPLEX AND READ ABOUT ITS HISTORY BEFOREHAND. THE COMPLEX IS NOT VERY ORGANIZED AND PLEASE GET A MAP OF THE PLACE TO MAKE SURE YOU DONT MISS ANYTHING. THE BEAUTY OF THIS PLACE IS INDISPUTABLE BUT THERE IS LIMITED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLACE IN ENGLISH. The main attraction is the underground caves which shall definitely be seen.