Ukrainian architecture has initial roots in the Eastern Slavic state of Kievan Rus'. After the Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus', the distinct architectural history continued in the principalities of Galicia–Volhynia and later in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. During the epoch of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, a style unique to Ukraine developed under the influences of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
After the union with the Tsardom of Russia, architecture in Ukraine began to develop in different directions, with many structures in the larger eastern, Russian-ruled area built in the styles of Russian architecture of that period, whilst the western Galicia was developed under Austro-Hungarian architectural influences, in both cases producing fine examples. Despite this, Ukrainian national motifs would continue to be used and have seen a resurgence starting from the early 20th century, during some periods of the Soviet era and in modern independent Ukraine.
History Ancient era First monuments of stone architecture in the territory of modern Ukraine stem from the Antiquity. Stating from the 8th century BC, numerous Greek colonies appeared on the northern Black Sea coast, the most prominent among them being Tyras (modern-day Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi), Olbia, Chersonesus, Theodosia, Panticapaeum (now Kerch) and others. Initially the architecture of those settlements was strongly influenced by the building traditions of Ionia, from which many of the colonists stemmed, but starting from the 5th century BC Athenian influence became obvious in the region. During the first centuries of the new era Hellenistic architecture became widespread in the Pontic area. Among valuable structures preserved from the era of Greek colonization in modern-day Ukraine are ruins of defensive walls, residential houses and temples, elements of columns.
Early Middle Ages and Medieval Rus' (988–1240)
Following significant destruction during the Migration Period, the architecture of Greek colonies on the Black Sea was revived during the Byzantine era. Significant objects constructed during that time were early Christian churches, many of which utilized elements of previously ruined ancient buildings. The centre of temple architecture in Late Antiquity and early Middle Ages was Chersonesos. Many Christian churches of the earliest period (4th–7th centuries AD) had a characteristic cruciform ground plan, influenced by Middle Eastern architecture, but rotundas were also widespread. In the 7th–9th centuries basilicas of Roman type appeared. Intermediate forms were also represented in church architecture of that time. The best-preserved monument of Byzantine architecture in Crimea is the 8th-century Church of St. John the Baptist in Kerch.
The medieval state of Kievan Rus' was the predecessor of modern states of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus and their respective cultures, including architecture.
Church architecture of Rus' predated the adoption of Christianity in 988, and Christian temples in Kyiv are mentioned as early as 945. Early Eastern Orthodox churches were mainly made of wood, with the simplest form becoming known as a cell church. The architectural style of the Kievan state was strongly influenced by the Byzantine architecture, and Greek masters were invited to build the first stone churches in the region by prince Volodymyr, but influences of Western European Romanesque architecture were also present. Major cathedrals often featured scores of small domes, which led some art historians to take this as an indication of the appearance of pre-Christian pagan Slavic temples. Although early Kievan Rus' architecture had a common style, it eventually diverged into a number of local varieties.
The main styles found on the territory of Ukraine are the Kyiv–Chernihiv, Galician, Pereiaslav, and Volhynian schools of architecture. Among prominent structures known from the Rus' era in Kyiv are Church of the Tithes (986–996), St. Sophia Cathedral (1017–1037), Golden Gate (), St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery (1108), Three Hierarchs Church (12th century), Church of the Dormition (1132), St. Cyril's Church (1140), Church of the Saviour at Berestove (12th century), Dormition Cathedral (1073) and Gate Church of the Trinity (1108) in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, and within Vydubychi Monastery (1088). Many of these churches survive to this day, however, in the course of the 16th–18th centuries, some of them were externally rebuilt in the Ukrainian Baroque style. Examples include the grand Saint Sophia Cathedral, Church of the Saviour at Berestove, and the St. Cyril's Church. The Golden Gate in Kyiv, built in 1037, was reconstructed in 1982, but its new design was dismissed by some art and architecture historians as a revivalist fantasy.
In Chernihiv the architecture of the Rus' era is represented by several church buildings: Transfiguration Cathedral (1024–1036), Cathedral of Sts. Boris and Gleb (1120–1123), St. Elijah's Church (1078), Dormition Cathedral of Yelets Monastery (1060), and St. Paraskeva's Church (12th century, reconstruction done in the late 1940s). Partially preserved medieval structures can also be found in several locations around Kyiv and Chernihiv, such as Oster and Bilohorodka. In Kaniv the St. George's Church built in the 1140s has been preserved in a partially reconstructed form. In Northern and Western Ukraine prominent buildings from the Rus' era are represented by such examples as the Saint Basil Church in Ovruch (built in 1190 and reconstructed in 1907–1909), Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr (built in 1160, reconstructed in 1896–1900), and Saint Pantaleon Church near Halych (built around 1200, reconstructed in 1998). In Halych and the surrounding areas, foundations of numerous churches have been discovered, including the ruins of the Dormition Cathedral in Krylos built by prince Yaroslav Osmomysl. Rus' architecture of Halych lands is signified by an obvious Romanesque influence, which can also be seen in Chernihiv, but is less prominent in Kyiv.
Little secular or vernacular architecture of Kievan Rus' has survived.
Late Medieval Era During the 13th and 14th centuries construction works in the lands of present-day Ukraine were limited almost exclusively to westernmost regions. As a result, only a few monuments of Gothic architecture are present in Ukrainian lands. Some Gothic elements can be found in the Armenian Cathedral of Lviv (1363), Nativity Church in Halych (late 14th century), Church of St. Nicholas in Lviv (14th century) and Mezhyrich Monastery in Volhynia (15th century). The biggest Gothic building Ukraine is the Latin Cathedral in Lviv (late 14th century). In the 15th–16th centuries a revived Byzantine style spread around Bukovyna, Galicia, Podolia and Bessarabia, represented among others by churches in Lavriv, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Zinkiv and Mohyliv-Podilskyi.
Constant wars and new colonial policy of the szlachta led to the active development of castles and fortifications, which started in the 14th–15th centuries. One of the most active figures in this sphere was Fedor Koriatovych, ruler of the Duchy of Podolia. Among major fortifications which emerged during that time are the castles in Zinkiv, Sataniv, Medzhybizh (Podolia), Khotyn (Bessarabia), Pniv, Terebovlia (Galicia), Ostroh, Lutsk, Kremenets (Volhynia), Mukachevo (Transcarpathia) and others. A unique monument is the fortified Holy Intercession Church in the Podolian village of Sutkivtsi (1476).
Early Modern Era In the 16th century Ukrainian lands saw the spread of Renaissance architecture, which was actively adopted by self-governed cities of the time. Many prominent architects who worked in that style came from Italy, and the names of some of them have been preserved in historical documents: Peter the Italian, Peter Krasowski, Peter Barbona, Paul Dominici the Roman, Ambrosius Nutclauss etc. The most significant concentration of Renaissance buildings in Ukraine can be found in Lviv's Market Square and the surrounding areas, with prominent structures in that style including the Black House (1577), Korniakt Palace (1580), Boim (1617) and Campian Chapels (), Bandinelli Palace, as well as the complex of the Dormition Church: Korniakt's Tower (1572–1578), Chapel of Three Hierarchs (1578) and the church itself (1591–1629). The latter two structures are built under the influence of native Ukrainian church architecture.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries churches combining the Renaissance style and local traditions were also constructed in Sokal, Novoselytsia, Lutsk, Horodok, Shchyrets. Reconstructions of older churches, which were performed during that time in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Oster, Pereiaslav, Kaniv and Novhorod-Siverskyi also bore some elements of Renaissance architecture. Late Renaissance elements are also present in the architecture of Roman Catholic cathedrals in Lviv, Lutsk and Kamianets. The style of St. Elijah's Church in Subotiv (1656) and St. Paraskeva Church in Lviv can be seen as transitional between Renaissance and Baroque.
Cossack era Central and Eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian Baroque emerged during the Hetmanate era of the 17th–18th centuries. Representative of the Сossack aristocracy, this style is distinct from Western European Baroque in that its designs were more constructivist, had more moderate ornamentation, and were simpler in form.Baroque
Among the earliest examples of Ukrainian Baroque is the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Nizhyn. Famous examples of Ukrainian Baroque stone churches include the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, of Vydubychi Monastery (1696), Trinity Monastery in Chernihiv (1679), cathedral of the Mhar Monastery near Lubny (1684), St. Nicholas Military Cathedral (1690) and Brotherhood Monastery (1695) in Kyiv (both destroyed by the Soviets), Intercession Cathedral in Kharkiv (1689), Holy Spirit Cathedral in Romny, Resurrection Cathedral in Sumy, Dormition Church in Liutenka, Poltava Oblast (destroyed), Trinity Church of Hustynia Monastery, Chernihiv Oblast (1672–1674), Transfiguration Church in Pryluky (1716). A major wooden church built in this style is the Trinity Cathedral in Samar (1772–1781).
During the 17th–18th centuries, most medieval Rus' churches were significantly redesigned and expanded. Additional church domes and elaborate exterior and interior ornamentation were added. Among the most prominent examples of reconstruction are the exteriors of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv (rebuilt in 1691–1705), Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (rebuilt 1695–1722), St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, St. Michael's Church of Vydubychi Monastery and Church of the Saviour at Berestove (rebuilt by Petro Mohyla in 1638–1643).
Civilian buildings constructed in Ukrainian Baroque style include the Samson Fountain in Kyiv, Regimental Chancellery building in Chernihiv, Lyzohub residence in Sedniv, Polubotok's house in Liubech, administrative and residential buildings in Kozelets, Nizhyn, and Pryluky.
Among the most prominent Ukrainian Baroque architects were Ivan Hryhorovych-Barskyi, Stepan Kovnir, Osip Startsev, Adam Zernikaw, Ivan Zarudny.
Western Ukraine Examples of Western Baroque architecture (principally Polish and Vilnian) can be found mostly in western regions of Ukraine. Among them are castles in Zbarazh, Berezhany, Pidhirtsi, Bar (ruined) and Roman Catholic churches in Lviv and Kamianets-Podilskyi.
Imperial period Late Baroque