Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra — the oldest and one of the main Orthodox shrines, a unique monastery complex, which has no analogues in the world. This is the first monastery in Kievan Rus, there are preserved almost intact temples, built in the 11th century.
In fact, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is a real town in the heart of Kyiv, there are fourteen Orthodox churches, monastery, seven museums, one of the first typographies in Rus, etc. "Lavra" translates from Greek as "street", not all monasteries awarded with this title, and it's argument for great importance.
For many centuries Lavra was attacked many times, several times it was destroyed, but restored again and again.
The main treasure of the monastery — the relics of reverend fathers and laity. There is located burial place of many princes and noblemen since XIV century.
Today Lavra is divided into Upper and Lower. Upper Lavra is the historical and cultural complex, and the Lower Lavra is a functioning monastery and Caves. The Caves divided to Middle (total length of 313 meters) and Far (293 meters). According to some sources, these Caves is much longer and have extensive system of underground passages that lie beneath the waters of Dnieper and even connect the monastery with surrounding cities cloisters.
In the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was created the primary chronicle of Kievan Rus — "Tale of Bygone Years".
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra included into the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage.
