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Chernihiv - Ukraine

John Sloan
George Page
Micha Jelasavcic

Chernihiv is first mentioned in the chronicles of year 907AD, but the site was occupied by a village for many centuries before that date. Its strategic location on the Desna and Strighen rivers, important transportation routes when rivers were the main thorofares, insured its importance. In 992 a bishopric was established there. At its most extensive the Chernihiv principality extended to the Oka and Volga to the northeast and to the Kuban at Tmutorakhan to the south east. Part of the earthen rampart of the powerful fortress - Detinets - still remains, but we have to imagine the wooden palisade and log towers that topped it in the 11th-14th centuries. The first powerful prince of Chernihiv was Mstislav Vladimirovich (Khorobry) who partitioned Prince Vladimir's domain with his brother Yaroslav Vladimirovich (the Wise) and also held Tmutorakhan. When Mstislav died in 1036 Chernihiv principality went to the Grand Prince in Kyiv, but when Yaroslav died in 1054 it was again split, being given to Sviatoslav Yaroslavich along with Tmutorakan and Murom. Several other princes of Chernihiv became grand prince in Kyiv. Later the principality was ruled by Oleg Sviatoslavich, whose descendents contended with their cousins for control of all Rus. It was then split into many appanages. The last ruling prince of Chernihiv was Mikhail Vsevolodovich, who was killed by the Tatars at the time of the invasion in 1239-40. Chernihiv was stoutly defended, but fell to the Mongol army before they attacked Kyiv. From then it never recovered its importance. As Tatar strength waned the Lithuanian princes expanded their domain south and incorporated Chernihiv. Then, when Lithuania was united with Poland, the city and its region became part of Poland-Lithuania. The city suffered during many wars, being rebuilt frequently. The last and worst of these was World War Two, during which it was bombed. We describe some of the important architecture with the photographs below.
We show here some photos from our visit to Chernigiv.

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Domes of Trinity Cathedral in Trinity monastery
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Entrance gate to Trinity Monastery (1775)
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Entrance to Trinity Cathedral

 
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Side view of Trinity Cathedral

 
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View of Trinity Cathedral

  
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Iconostasis in Trinity Cathedral

 
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View of Trinity Cathedral

  
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Trinity Cathedral in Trinity Monastery

  
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Vevedenski Refectory Church - 1677 - in the Trinity Monastery

  
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Vevedenski Refectory Church in Trinity Monastery, 1677.

  
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Bell tower of Trinity Cathedral and monastery, 58 meters - 1775

  
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Two saints in niche on outside wall of Trinity Cathedral

  
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Trinity Cathedral, view of domes

 
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Trinity Cathedral

  
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Trinity Cathedral, view

 
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Trinity Cathedral - 1679-1685.Ukrainian Baroque

  
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Plaque at entrance of Illinsky Church and Antony caves

  
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Another plaque

  
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Cupola dome of belltower of Illinsky Church
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Iconostasis in Illinski Church

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Iconostasis in Illinsky Church

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Illinsky Church and bell tower, founded in 1069, entrance to Antony caves monastery
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Illinsky Church and bell tower

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Deep inside Antony caves monastery
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Deep inside Antony caves monastery

  
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Micha and Tanya inside Illinsky Church

  
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Inside Illinsky Church, entrance to caves

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Plaque listing architecture - Spaso Cathedral, Boris and Gleb Cathedral, Collegium, Trinity Cathedral
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St Catherine Church
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St Catherine Church

  
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View of rampart of fortress from below
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On rampart of fortress, George and Victor discussing cannon - St Catherine Church in background
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On fortress rampart view toward river.
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Monastery beyond Detenets park

 
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Colegium - museum - 1710

  
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Colegium - museum - 1710
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Silver door
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Corner Tower of Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral
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Front of Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral on right, Boris and Gleb Cathedral in center
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Corner tower and door of Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral
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View of both corner towers and Central dome of Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral
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Detail of Spaso-Preobrazhenski Cathedral
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Front of Spaso-Preobrazhenski Cathedral
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Corner tower of Spaso-Preobrazhenski Cathedral
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Wall of Boris and Gleb Cathedral

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Entrance
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Central dome of Boris and Gleb Cathedral
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Boris and Gleb Cathedral
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Detail of Boris and Gleb Cathedral, founded 1123 as part of monastery
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Boris and Gleb Cathedral, burned in 1511 and taken over by Dominicans
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Central drum and cupola dome of Pyatnytska Church
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Facade of Pyatnytska Church - showing elaborate style of original brickwork
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Side view of facade of Pyatnytska Church.
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Detail Pyatnytska Church - 12th century, repeatedly destroyed by Tatars, Poles and Germans rebuilt in 1962.

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Front view of Pyatnytska Church
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Pyatnytska (St Paraskeva) Church - rebuilt in 1962 after destruction in WorldWar II
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Memorial Statue in honor of warriors, partisans and people of Chernihiv individual on right is medieval warrior
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Statue medieval warrior at Chernihiv

For photography of Kyiv please go to Kyiv.
For a brief history of Kyiv please go here.. Please jump here for history of the Kievan Pechersky Monastery. For photos of the military equipment at the museum between the fortress wall and World war II memorial please go tomuseum.

For information on future trips we are planning to Ukraine please contact Xenophon. For comprehensive assistance with travel throughout Ukraine please contact Ms. Riazantseva. at Ukrintour in Kyiv.