Chernihiv Tour
8-9 hour Day tour Kiev-Chernihiv (Car and English-speaking guide)
Tour includes two-way Car transfer between Kiev and Chernihiv and 5h tour of the historical part of Chernihiv with prepaid entry to 2 major landmarks.
After a pleasant 1.5h drive we are greeted by the 18th century baroque styled five-domed St. Catherine’s Church positioned on the outskirts of Chernihiv on top of a hill. We drive by and get to the heart of the city – scenic Dytynets Park to start walking part of the tour with exploring the Chernihi Val (Earthwork). You will see the remnants of ancient defensive fortifications as well as 12 old cannons standing atop the pedestal bases in a row. According to the local legend, they were installed as early as the 13th century!
We walk into one of the main landmarks of Chernihiv – the oldest Orthodox Church in Ukraine – Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral (The Saviour-Transfiguration Cathedral) and learn about a long history of this temple. Founded at the beginning of the 10th century, this well-preserved Cathedral is renowned for its amazing wooden iconostasis of baroque style, which was created in the 18th century instead of the original one destroyed in a fire.
Our next stop is the fascinating Troitsko-Illinsky (St. Trinity-St. Elijah) Monastery. Together we explore the 12th century Illinska (St. Elijah) Church, the Ukrainian baroque style 17th century Troitsky (St. Trinity) Cathedral and if you have enough energy we climb the stairs of the 58 m Bell Tower to enjoy exciting views of Chernihiv and the Cathedral.
And don’t forget about the world famous Anthony’s Caves located right below the Monastery. Fascinating 11th century four-level complex of underground premises, corridors and galleries with several ancient temples and churches. Some walls still covered in ancient and medieval graffiti!
Chernigov has many other interesting attractions such as, the Dytynets – the former mighty fortress, the 12th century St. Boris and St. Gleb Cathedral, the 17th century Yeletsky Women’s Monastery, to mention but a few. So there is always a reason to come back to this ancient town, but for now we end our tour and return back to Kiev.
