The architecture of Kievan Rus' is the earliest period of Belarusian, Russian, and Ukrainian architecture. It developed on the foundations of Byzantine culture with use of local innovations and architectural features, with Kiev and Novgorod as its principal centers. Although wooden architecture was widespread in the Kievan Rus', none of it has survived; all surviving buildings are constructed of stone or brick. Most of these buildings are churches, with only four secular buildings surviving from the period.
The vast majority of buildings was destroyed over the centuries, with most extensive losses occurring during the Mongol invasion of the 1230s. Those that survived were significantly modified over time and lost some essential features of the Kievan Rus' architecture. Several monuments were destroyed in the 20th century and later reconstructed incorporating remains of the original structure; such buildings are included in the list. Buildings that were destroyed but retain significant visible remains are presented in a separate section. In contrast, buildings that were destroyed and subsequently rebuilt without attempts at scientific reconstruction (e.g., the Dormition Church of Virgin Pirogoshcha and the Saint Michael Cathedral of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv) are excluded.
List
+ Name Photo Location Land Construction date Comments Transfiguration CathedralChernihiv, UkraineChernigovRappoport, p.22One of the two oldest surviving buildings of the Kievan Rus'. The exterior was considerably modified in the 17th and 18th centuries. Cathedral of Saint Boris and Saint Gleb Dormition Cathedral of Yeletskyi MonasteryExterior was considerably altered. St. Elijah ChurchExterior was considerably altered. Piatnytska ChurchConsiderably damaged during World War II, subsequently restored. Saint Pantaleon Church, UkraineGaliciaRebuilt in 1611 with considerable modifications, restored in 1998. The only surviving building of the Galician school of architecture. Saint Boris and Saint Gleb Kalozha ChurchGrodno, BelarusPartially survived, some walls were lost. Saint George's CathedralKaniv, UkraineKievOnly the walls. Saint Sophia CathedralKyiv, UkraineRappoport, p.22One of the two oldest surviving buildings of the Kievan Rus'. The exterior was considerably modified in the 17th and 18th centuries. Golden GateBy 1982, the gate was a ruin, and, with the exception of the lowest parts of the walls, it was reconstructed in 1982. Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk LavraDestroyed in 1941, reconstructed in 2000. The exterior was considerably altered in the 18th century. Trinity Church of the Kyiv Pechersk LavraThe exterior was considerably altered in the 18th century. Saint Michael Church of the Vydubychi MonasteryOnly the western side. Church of the Saviour at BerestoveOnly the western side. St. Cyrils' Church of the St. Cyril's MonasteryExterior was strongly altered. Saint Basil ChurchOvruch, UkraineCollapsed in 1846, restored in 1907–09. Katholikon of the Ivanovsky MonasteryPskov, RussiaNovgorod Katholikon of the Mirozhsky MonasteryThe exterior was altered, the frescoes are intact Katholikon of the Dormition MonasteryStaraya Ladoga, Russia St. George's Church Katholikon of the Transfiguration MonasteryStaraya Russa, RussiaCompletely rebuilt in the 1442, only the lowest parts of the walls survived. Rebuilt again in the 17th century. Cathedral of Saint SophiaVeliky Novgorod, RussiaThe oldest surviving building in Northern Russia. Saint Nicholas Cathedral at Yaroslav's Court Katholikon of the Antoniev MonasteryThe upper parts were altered. Katholikon of the Yuriev Monastery Arkazhi Church Substantially rebuilt in the 17th century. Sts. Peter and Paul Church Nereditsa Church Destroyed during the World War II, subsequently restored, but the original frescoes have been lost. Church of St. Paraskevi of IconiumThe vaults rebuilt at a later date. Peryn Chapel Saint Michael ChurchOster, UkrainePereyaslavlDestroyed, only the apse survived. Saint Sophia Cathedral in PolotskPolotsk, BelarusPolotskOnly fragments of the original cathedral survived. Transfiguration Church of the Saint Euphrosyne Monastery Annunciation ChurchVitebsk, BelarusDestroyed in 1961, rebuilt in 1993–1998 incorporating the remains of the walls. Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul on GorodyankaSmolensk, RussiaSmolenskRestored in 1963 Church of Saint John the EvangelistOnly walls survived, everything else was rebuilt in the 18th century. Saint Michael ChurchThe roof was altered. Andrey Bogolyubsky PalaceBogolyubovo, RussiaVladimir-SuzdalOnly fragments, including a tower, survived. Church of the Intercession on the Nerl Church of Boris and GlebKideksha, RussiaThe top part was rebuilt in the 17th century. Transfiguration CathedralPereslavl-Zalessky, Russia Nativity CathedralSuzdal, RussiaThe exterior and the roof have been rebuilt. Dormition CathedralVladimir, RussiaExpanded in 1185–1189 Golden GateConsiderably altered by later construction. Cathedral of Saint Demetrius Dormition Cathedral of the Knyaginin MonasteryCompletely rebuilt around 1500, only lower parts of the walls survive. Saint George CathedralYuryev-Polsky, RussiaThe cathedral collapsed in the 1460s and was repaired in a different form. Dormition ChurchDorohobuzh, UkraineVolhyniaRebuilt in 16th century, incorporating parts of the original walls. Stołpie TowerStołpie, PolandPartially ruined Dormition CathedralVolodymyr, UkraineCollapsed in 1829, rebuilt in 1896–1900.
Remains
This section presents pre-Mongol Rus' buildings that were partially destroyed and have significant surviving visible remains but were not rebuilt.
+ Name Photo Location Land Construction date Comments Dormition CathedralKrylos, Ukraine GaliciaParts of the wall and foundations were used to construct a chapel (15th century) and a church (16th century) above the remains. Stone wallGrodno, Belarus Lower church Palace Tomb church Pereiaslav, Ukraine Pereyaslavl St. Michael's Church ChurchTurov, Belarus Turov St. John the Evangelist ChurchLutsk, Ukraine Volhynia
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