Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv

Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv
Софійський собор
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50°27′10″N 30°30′52″E / 50.4528°N 30.5144°E / 50.4528; 30.5144
LocationShevchenkivskyi District, Kyiv
CountryUkraine
Websitesofiia-kyivska.ua
History
DedicationHoly Wisdom (Hagia Sophia)
Architecture
StyleByzantine architecture,
Ukrainian Baroque
Years built11th century
Specifications
Length41.7 m (137 ft)
Width54.6 m (179 ft)
Dome height (inner)28.6 m (94 ft)
Official nameSaint-Sophia Cathedral
Part ofKyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Criteriai, ii, iii, iv
Reference527
Inscription1990 (14th Session)
Endangered2023
Official nameСофійський собор (Saint Sophia Cathedral)
TypeArchitecture, History, Monumental Art
Reference no.260072/1-Н

The Saint Sophia Cathedral (Ukrainian: Софійський собор, romanizedSofiiskyi sobor or Софія Київська, Sofiia Kyivska) in Kyiv, Ukraine, is an architectural monument of Kyivan Rus'. The former cathedral is one of the city's best known landmarks and the first heritage site in Ukraine to be inscribed on the World Heritage List along with the Kyiv Cave Monastery complex. The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO decided in June 2013 that Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, and St Sophia Cathedral along with its related monastery buildings would remain on the World Heritage List. Aside from its main building, the cathedral includes an ensemble of supporting structures such as a bell tower and the House of Metropolitan.

In 2011 the historic site was reassigned from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Regional Development of Ukraine to the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. One of the reasons for the move was that both Saint Sophia Cathedral and Kyiv Pechersk Lavra are recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Program as one complex, while in Ukraine the two were governed by different government entities. The cathedral is a museum.

The complex of the cathedral is the main component and museum of the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv" which is the state institution responsible for the preservation of the cathedral complex as well as four other historic landmarks across the nation.