St. Andrew's Church

Famous Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli was the mastermind behind this attractive Baroque church that greets the throngs at the top of Andriivskyi Descent. Built in 1754, it's one of the rare buildings in Kyiv that has managed to avoid serious damage or reconstruction. The elegant silhouette of its one large dome and four lesser cupolas is easily visible from Podil and beyond. Apostle Andriy, who was the first Christian to preach the gospel in Kyivan Rus, was said to have erected a cross on this very site. It was the wish of Peter the Great's religiously-minded daughter Elizabeth after her visit to Kyiv in 1744 that this church be built.

It must be said that compared to the beautiful exterior, the interior is rather disappointing - too much loud red and gold colours, and really not much to see. Console yourself with a stroll around the church's perimeter, a walk which the famous Ukrainian writer Gogol also enjoyed. The ticket window is near the base of the steps; English tours are available.

In the mid-2000s it was open 10:00 - 18:00 (closed Wed); admission then was 4 UAH.

Andriivskyi Descent, 23, Kyiv
Tel (mid-2000s): 278 58 61