Saint Sophia Cathedral — a National Symbol of Ukraine. It has become a symbol of resilience and resistance. Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Ukraine, built in the first half of the 11th century during the reign of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Constructed in the Byzantine style and later rebuilt during the era of Ukrainian Baroque, it became the main spiritual and cultural center of Kyivan Rus: chronicles were written here, the first library was founded, princes prayed and were buried within its walls. Just a three-minute walk from the MFA building brings you to this sacred site, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Throughout the centuries, Saint Sophia of Kyiv endured invasions, fires, and destruction, yet it was revived again and again. Thanks to reconstruction in the 17th–18th centuries, it acquired its recognizable Baroque silhouette. In the 20th century, the cathedral was turned into a museum reserve, which protected it from demolition. In modern history, the site has hosted important state and ecclesiastical events, and in 2025, the cathedral withstood a Russian attack, preserving its integrity and spiritual significance.
Today Saint Sophia Cathedral attracts visitors with its unique treasures: the mosaic of the Virgin Oranta, 11th-century frescoes, murals, artifacts, and inscriptions spanning a thousand years of its existence. The bell tower, open to tourists, offers a panoramic view of Kyiv’s historic center. This is a place where antiquity and modernity merge into a unified cultural space, forming one of the most magnificent monuments of Ukraine.