St. Andrew's Church
There are many historical monuments in Kiev. But one of the particular interests is St. Andrew’s Church which blends so naturally with the picturesque slopes of the Dnieper hills. A real masterpiece of architecture, this beautiful building combines the bold ideas of the architect with the latest attainments of science, technology and art of the first half of the eighteen century. St. Andrew’s Church is baroque in style and was built from 1749-1754 by the well-known Russian architect I. Michurin from the design specifications made by the famous Bartolommeo Francesco Rastrelli. Rastrelli, a Paris-born Italian, came to Russia with his father who had been invited by Peter the Great. Petersburg was a wonderful school of architecture for the young Rastrelli and Russia became his new homeland. As an architect, Rastrelli left a rich legacy. Dozens of great palaces, architectural ensembles in parks and gardens, churches and country manors were built from his designs. St. Andrew’s Church is a fairy modest one in the creative heritage of Rastrelli, though it actually surpasses all of his former works so far as refined composition and graceful appearance are concerned. Airy, picturesque and lyrical – features most typical of Ukrainian architecture – all describe this unique structure.
St. Andrew's Church
Ukrainian and other foreign craftsmen took part in the construction of St. Andrew’s Church. On the death of the Empress Elizabeth, who was responsible for building the Mariinsky Palace and St. Andrew’s Church in Kiev, the court was no longer interested in these buildings and St. Andrew’s Church was for a time neglected. The result was a gradual deterioration: cracks appeared in the St. Andrew’s Church walls and subsoil waters washed the foundation work. Also, a storm in 1815 damaged small domes which had been richly embellished with decorative carving and gold leaf. During the renovations of the St. Andrew’s Church carried out in 1825-1828 and 1844-1867, the small domes were partly altered. In 1900 they were given the appearance which survives today. St. Andrew’s Church was rescued from full deterioration by Soviet restores. At present it is in normal condition. Considering the great historical and artistic value of St. Andrew’s Church, it was opened to the public as an architectural and historical museums, a branch of the museums ensemble of St. Sophia’s Cathedral. Many thousands of Ukrainian and foreign tourists visit St. Andrew’s Church every year. The terrace of the St. Andrew’s Church forms a splendid lookout-point from which you may observe a picturesque vista – Podol district, the hazy blue of the wide Dnieper, the green forests and parks. Welcome to the St. Andrew’s Church in Kiev!
