Near Caves, Underground monastery in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine
The Near Caves form an underground monastery beneath Kyiv Pechersk Lavra containing three underground churches and 79 burial chambers located at depths between 5 and 20 meters. The system stretches for about 383 meters, creating an extensive underground complex with numerous passages and spaces.
Saint Varlaam founded the Near Caves in 1057, while Saint Anthony of Kyiv excavated the initial underground cell that formed the foundation of this religious complex. These early activities laid the groundwork for the development of the entire underground system.
The caves preserve remains of notable figures and have served as a place of veneration in Orthodox tradition for centuries. The underground spaces show how monks lived at these depths and shaped their spiritual practices.
Access to the underground spaces comes through the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, built between 1700 and 1704 in Ukrainian Baroque style above the complex. Visitors should wear warm clothing as the caves remain cool, and lighting is limited.
The cave system includes ancient water wells attributed to Saint Anthony and his disciple Theodosius, discovered during recent archaeological investigations. These water systems demonstrate the practical skills of early monks in surviving underground.
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