Church of the Tithes, Orthodox church in Kyiv
The Church of the Tithes was the first large stone place of worship built in Kyivan Rus, constructed around 996. Today only its foundation and rubble remain, showing the building's original scale and early Christian construction methods used in the region.
Grand Prince Volodymyr commissioned this building after Kyivan Rus adopted Christianity, aiming to establish the new religion's presence. The structure was destroyed in 1240 during the Mongol invasion while serving as one of the city's final defense positions.
The name comes from Prince Volodymyr's practice of dedicating one tenth of his income to support this building. That contribution reflected how closely the new Christian faith connected to the ruling power of early Kyivan Rus.
A museum at the site displays more than a thousand objects recovered from the building, including stone fragments, fresco pieces, and religious items. The location is accessible most days from morning through early evening.
Archaeologists uncovered hidden storage areas within the foundations, including graves that predate Christianity. These discoveries reveal that this site held significance long before the building was constructed.
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