Saint Sofia

Saint Sofia, dating from the 11th century, is one of the most important churches of Kiev.  It is named after the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, an amazing structure dating from the 3rd century Roman period, when Istanbul was called Constantinople after the Roman emperor Constantine.  The buildings bear no resemblance to one another, however.  Saint Sofia’s origin is in the Kieven Rus period, when the region was governed by a loose federations of Slavic and Finnish people.  It has the impressive golden domes you find in Poland and Russia.  The art decorating the interior has the same Byzantine look as well.