St. Andrew's Church, laid in 1744 on the steep bank of the Dnieper to the arrival of Elizabeth I, is the only surviving building in Kyiv of the famous architect V. V. Rastrelli. Built in the Baroque style, the temple has the shape of a cross, in the center rises the only dome, and the four corners are decorated with decorative turrets with smaller poppy.

St. Andrew's Church - one of the most striking buildings of the Baroque style, which spread in the domestic architecture and art in the late XVII - mid XVIII century. Coming from the west, this style was influenced by local traditions and acquired peculiar national features.

Baroque buildings are characterized by splendor, spectacularity, picturesqueness and dynamism of architectural forms, rich decor, bright contrasting walls, abundance of gilding. All these features are inherent in St. Andrew's Church.

To put the temple on top of the hill, the builders erected under it a stylobate in the form of a two-story residential building adjacent to the steep slope .It is completed by a parapet enclosed by a balustrade, where a wide iron staircase leads from the street .St. Andrew's Church - cross-shaped in terms of construction, elongated along the west-east axis .Its dimensions are 31 x 20 meters, height - 47 meters .The height of the stylobate (with foundations) is 15 meters .Inside the church is covered with one large dome 10 meters in diameter .However, outside it is a five-domed temple: four decorative small glazes are placed on buttresses placed diagonally of the building, which creates the effect of the traditional five-domed church .The silhouette of the church is built on the contrast between the massive central head and the graceful angled domes that guide the movement of the architectural masses skyward .In the design of the facades for the first time, stucco molding and cast iron casting .

In its entire history, the time when it performed its direct function can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The unfortunate location and, as a consequence, the threat of permanent shifts - these are the reasons that put Andreevskaya on the border of total annihilation. Already in 1787, after the death of Elizabeth, the temple comes almost completely desolate. Only the intervention of the Russian Empress Catherine saved the church.

The picturesque facades are intensified by a bright coloring: white columns, pilasters, cornices stand out on the turquoise background of the walls, cast-iron capitals and cartouches glisten with gilding, gilded garlands twist along the faces of the dark green dome.

Although all the painting of the St. Andrew's Church is written on religious themes, it is in a manner of performance a secular picture with characteristic baroque style, impressive poses, elegant clothes, an abundance of household details, landscapes and still lifes. This is a realistic, life-affirming art, devoid of religious asceticism. Painting is organically connected with carving, stucco decoration and architectural forms of the building.

Address: Kiev, st. Andreevsky spusk, 23.

St. Andrew's Church in Kiev

The interior of St. Andrew's Church in Kiev

Reviews about St. Andrew's Church in Kiev (4)

Evaluation 10

St. Andrew's Church - architectural pearl of Kiev June 05, 2014

Kira

was here in August 2013

St. Andrew's Church is undoubtedly the most beautiful and colorful building in Kiev. Located on an elevation, it is visible from most parts of the city, and from Podol, and from Petrovka, and from the left bank. It's an inactive church and now it's a museum. Periodically, classical music concerts are held here, but recently less and less, as the structure is in emergency condition due to frequent landslides. A very recognizable church in the film "For Two Hares", in memory of this event there is a monument to the duet ... Read full review

Evaluation 10

St. Andrew's Church for the soul! April 22, 2014

Victoria

was here in February 2014

I was fortunate enough to see the St. Andrew's Church both outside and inside, so I can tell a lot! The church is built in a very interesting way, it is on a descent, so it seems that it is about to roll down the mountain. When I came to see the St. Andrew's Church, it was a Sunday afternoon and my father began to rule the service. I just had a handkerchief, which I put on my head to go and stand in the service. There were a lot of people, but despite all the difficulties I was through to the end ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

Podol - the soul of the city April 22, 2014

Sole

was here in August 2013

Andreevsky Descent - a favorite place in Kiev, there is no more spiritual and panoramic descent in the city, except that the parks of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
St. Andrew's Church and Richard's Castle are two pearls of descent, it's simply impossible to pass them. Unimaginable architecture - it seems that both buildings are just a miracle to keep on a steep slope - floating dome in the air - the place for construction was chosen with the mind and soul.
Now the church is open for visits, it provides services and rites of weddings and baptisms. Rich ... Read full review

Evaluation 10

The Church bewitches at first sight! April 15, 2014

Lyudmila

was here in March 2014

In Kiev, I visited recently, or rather in early March this year. I was passing through, so I stopped to spend the night with my friend. I came specially to get acquainted with the architecture of this wonderful city, and I think that I succeeded. In fact, the city needs to live for a while, otherwise feel the atmosphere only superficially. I liked the Church of St. Andrew. I got to her on the minibus, and then another walk. I did not find another option for reaching the church. First ... Read the entire review