Desiatynnaya Church

Vladimirskaia 2

Desiatynnaya Chruch was considered to be one of the most important constructions for Ukrainian history. It was the place where the first stone church in Rus was built (989-996). Builders were summoned from Byzantium for the construction. On the day of the ceremonial consecration of the cathedral, Prince Vladimir promised to give a tithe of his income for its needs. That is the origin of the name of the cathedral. The building also housed the first school in Rus. Unfortunately it was destroyed during Mongol Tatar invasion in the 12th century, the last defenders of the city took shelter here. They were buried alive under the collapsed walls of the church. Today at the place of this church there is only basement left.