Museum History of Ukraine with St Andrew Church and St Michael Golden Domed Monastery

First we invite You to enjoy Tour of National Museum of History of Ukraine will cover all highlights starling with its mammoth and Greek heritage (the Greeks inhabited the Black sea coast of Ukraine since VIII century B.C. and up to late XVIII century ). Further exhibits are on the life style of nomadic tribes in the steppes of Ukraine illustrating how true was the description of their customs by Herodotes. Most interesting is the history of Scythians and Sarmatians and their contacts with ancient Greeks. The woods of the Northern Ukraine were inhabited by pro-Slavonic tribes. Special was Tripolie culture with its painted ceramic objects. Next exhibits will illustrated the history of Kievan Rus, introduction of Christianity “by sword and fire” in 988y and Mongol-Tatar invasion 1240. Very colorful are exhibits on the history of Cossacks with hetman Khmelnitsky’s hat XVIII-th century and diorama depicting one of the major Cossack fortress. Other exhibits are on Poltava Battle and embellishment of Cossack dome by Catherine II. Next door of exhibits showing cultural development of Ukrainian in XVII-XVIII centuries. Further comes a baroque style coach presented as a gift to Kiev archbishop by Empress Elizabeth. Same room has donations to churches by hetman Mazepa. Other exhibits are on Poltava Battle and embellishment of Cossack dome by Catherine II. Optional visit collections of magnificent crystal objects produced by Kiev factory and Ukrainian coins and banknotes.

Than you'll visit Saint Andrew’s Church what was built by Italian architect Rastrelli in 1767. It’s original icon-stasis has survived. It has crimson color (art historians define it an “wild strawberry red”) as the Empress Elizabeth wished it. All interior as well as exterior of St. Andrew’s were designed by Rastrelli. Originally, St. Andrew’s was built with the tiles in its roof. Both tiles and bricks of St.Andrew’s were made in Kiev by Italian workers. St.Andrew’s is supported by a two-level building below. It was used to accommodate two more churches of St.Zachariah and St. Elizabeth and St. Sergus of Radonezh. Unlike most Ukrainian and Russian churches St. Andrew’s has no murals. It is decorated with the icon of “The Last Supper” on the chancel wall, a gift by Catherine II. And more interesting about St Andrew's Church waiting for you. 

Lastly explore St.Michael Golden Domed Monastery what was built in 1113 and then destroyed at Soviet time 30-es. Mosaics and frescoes had been removed from cathedral’s interior in 1930-ies before the cathedral got demolished. It was rebuilt in the year 2000 with new mosaics and murals. Since St. Michael’s was enlarged in XVIII century as two chapels were added to it – St. Barbara’s and St. Catherine’s - the interior today has murals in Byzantine and baroque styles. Byzantine style depicting patron saints of family life and monastic life. The museum of St.Michael’s with golden dome is located in its Bell Tower.