On 18.02.2026 in Kyiv starts its work UNESCO Monitoring Mission for assessment of the condition of Ukraine World Heritage sites: St. Sophia's Cathedral and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra which were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1990.

During the visit of the UNESCO Monitoring Mission (ICOMOS) the delegation discussed the current state of the territory, challenges in preserving the historical environment and further steps to improve the buffer zone use regimes in accordance with Ukraine’s international obligations.

As part of the monitoring the mission also inspected a number of sites:

- the building on the corner of 20/21 Sofiivska Street and 21/20 Volodymyrska Street which was granted the status of a newly discovered cultural heritage site last year and was included in the register of monuments
- the building on 17/23 Olesya Honchara Street where, in accordance with UNESCO recommendations, it is proposed to dismantle the superimposed floors and bring the building height to the parameters of the neighboring historical buildings
- the building on 32 Velyka Zhytomyrska Street (the so-called House with Snakes and Chestnuts) which is under restoration
- partially the Landscape Alley

The buffer zone of St. Sophia Cathedral and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is a space of responsibility. It is a specially designated protected area around two UNESCO World Heritage sites which protects them from chaotic development and intrusive advertising. It preserves the historical landscape of the heart of Kyiv - from Khreshchatyk Street and Maidan Nezalezhnisti to Andriyivskyi Descent, Volodymyr's Hill, the Dnieper River slopes and the Park of Glory.

On June 10, 2025, St. Sophia Cathedral was damaged by shelling and in the accordance with the decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the International Council for the Protection of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) must assess the state of preservation of the site and the factors affecting it in order to further plan measures to protect the site.

Welcome to Kyiv to visit Ukraine World Heritage sites - St. Sophia's Cathedral and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra!

Organizers

UNESCO Monitoring Mission
St. Sophia's Cathedral, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Kyiv, Ukraine

Pavel Korsun
Tour Guide
Ukraine tours and Kyiv tours

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