St Andrew’s Church, Kyiv
St Andrew’s Church (Ukrainian: Andriivska tserkva) is a historic Orthodox church in Kyiv, Ukraine, built between 1747 and 1754 to a design by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. A rare and celebrated example of Ukrainian Baroque, it stands on a steep hill above the old city. This page accompanies a 360-degree virtual tour of the church.
At a glance
- Type
- Orthodox church and museum monument
- Period
- Built 1747–1754
- Style
- Ukrainian Baroque, designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli
- Location
- Kyiv, Ukraine
Overview
St Andrew’s Church is a historic Orthodox church in Kyiv, built in the mid-18th century to a design by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. It is a rare example of Ukrainian Baroque and one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. The church is owned by the Ukrainian government and forms part of the country’s recognised cultural heritage.
History
The church was constructed between 1747 and 1754. It stands on a steep hill where, according to tradition, the Apostle Andrew foretold that Kyiv would become the cradle of Christianity in the Slavic lands. A succession of earlier churches occupied or stood near the site; the last, a wooden church, was pulled down in 1726 before the present building was raised.
What you see
The church is a slender Baroque structure crowning its hilltop, visible across the surrounding cityscape. Its design by Rastrelli gives it the ornate, theatrical character of mid-18th-century Baroque. At the start of the 21st century the building faced problems linked to its unstable foundation and underwent a major renovation at the end of the 2010s.
Cultural significance
In 1968 the church was designated a museum, part of the National Sanctuary “Sophia of Kyiv” and a landmark of cultural heritage. From 2008 to 2018 it served as a mother church for an Orthodox community, and in October 2018 the Ukrainian state allowed its direct use by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Practical information
The church operates as a heritage monument within the National Sanctuary “Sophia of Kyiv”. For current opening hours, admission, and visiting conditions, check official Ukrainian heritage and museum sources before planning a visit.
Getting there
St Andrew’s Church stands at the top of the historic Andriivskyi Descent in central Kyiv, within walking distance of the old upper town. It is reached on foot from the surrounding historic district, which is well served by the city’s public transport network.