# St Sophia's Cathedral in Kiev (1037)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/1037-st-sophia-s-cathedral-in-kiev
Categories: main-event

Yaroslav began St Sophia's Cathedral, modelled on Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, with thirteen domes and brilliant mosaics and frescoes. He also built the Golden Gate and extended the city walls. The cathedral housed the metropolitan and the first library of Rus'. St Sophia symbolised Kiev's ambition to rival Byzantium and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

## Why it matters
St Sophia symbolised Kiev's ambition to rival Byzantium and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Ruler at the time: [Yaroslav the Wise](https://history-russia.com/rulers/yaroslav-the-wise)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Sophia_Cathedral,_Kyiv)
- [Wikipedia — Kievan Rus'](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kievan_Rus')
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — St Sophia's Cathedral in Kiev](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=St+Sophia%27s+Cathedral+in+Kiev)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)