Saint Andrew’s Church was built by architect Rastrelli in 1767. It’s original icon-stasis has survived. It has crimson color (art historians define it an “wild strawberry red”) as the Empress Elizabeth wished it. 

The interior as well as exterior of St. Andrew’s was designed by Italian architect Rastrelli. He also built the famous Winter Palace (or Hermitage) in St. Petersburg. Originally, St. Andrew’s was built with tiles in its roof. Both tiles and bricks of St. Andrew’s were made in Kiev by Italian workers. St. Andrew’s is supported by a two-level building below. It was used to accommodate three more churches, St. Zachariah, St. Elizabeth and St. Sergus of Radonezh.           

The tour of the National Museum of History of Ukraine will cover all highlights starting with its mammoth and Greek heritage  Further exhibits are on the lifestyle of nomadic tribes in the steppes of Ukraine, illustrating how true was the description of their customs by Herodotes. Most interesting is the history of Scythians and Sarmatians and their contacts with ancient Greeks. Next, exhibits will illustrated the history of Kievan Rus, introduction of Christianity “by sword and fire” in 988 and Mongol-Tatar invasion 1240. Next door in the scale model of the oldest school of higher learning in Ukraine known as Peter Mohila academy and numerous exhibits showing cultural development of Ukrainians in 17th-18th centuries including a Baroque style coach presented as a gift to Kiev archbishop by Empress Elizabeth. Other exhibits include the Poltava Battle and embellishment of Cossack dome by Catherine II. Next are exhibits on 19th century history of Ukraine. You will have the option of visiting the collections of magnificent crystal objects produced by Kiev factory and Ukrainian coins and banknotes.