The National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" has announced the resumption of operations for the Far (Theodosius) Caves. The oldest underground complex, which has been inaccessible to visitors for a long time, is now open again to pilgrims and tourists. For now, access is available in test mode with a limited schedule.
The decision to open was made on the eve of important church and state holidays — the Day of the Baptism of Ukraine-Rus and the Day of Ukrainian Statehood. Solemn events at the Lavra began with a prayer service for Ukraine, symbolizing the restoration of access to the country's spiritual roots.
Operating hours and visiting rules
Until August 15, the operating mode of the caves will be experimental. They can only be visited on weekends — Fridays and Sundays from 09:00 to 12:00. From August 16, the reserve plans to expand the schedule: pilgrimage groups will operate in the first half of the day, and after a technical break — tour groups.
To ensure the preservation of the historical object and the comfort of visitors, strict limits on group size are introduced. No more than 12 people are allowed into the underground complex at the same time. Booking is possible both in advance through the tour bureau and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Return to the roots after destruction
The opening of the Far Caves became possible after the Near (Anthony) Caves were made available to pilgrims in February 2026. Together, these complexes, which arose in the mid-11th century, form the basis of the history of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery.
The resumption of the shrine's work takes place against the backdrop of the restoration of Lavra objects after military actions. In the night of January 24, 2026, during a massive missile-drone attack on Kyiv, the entrance to the Far Caves complex and the Annunciation Church were damaged by the blast wave: windows and doors were blown out, and plaster was destroyed. The caves themselves, however, remained undamaged.
More extensive destruction occurred in the night of June 15, when a drone strike caused serious damage to the Dormition Cathedral, where a fire broke out. The Ivan Kuchnik Tower and the "Mystetsky Arsenal" building were also damaged. Rescuers managed to extinguish the fire and save unique relics, and the government has already announced plans to restore the damaged shrines.
Plans for the millennium
The General Director of the National Reserve, Maxym Ostapenko, emphasized that the opening of the caves is just one stage of a large-scale effort. Ahead, the reserve plans to prepare for the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Currently, the Near Caves operate from Wednesday to Sunday by prior reservation, while the Far Caves are gradually returning to full visitor reception mode.
