Kiev Ukraine Former monastery printing works

overview

The stone building was erected in 1701 on the site of an older wooden one, and was rebuilt in 1722 following a fire in 1718. It was a single-storeyed block containing four rooms covered with cross vaults.

In 1772-1773 the architect Charles de Chardon built an upper storey, repeating the plan of the ground floor. The glazed ceramic rosettes on the frieze between the ground and first floors are survivals from the original decor. When the passage was constructed to the Nearer Caves the right-hand corner of the building was cut away and powerful arches - flying buttresses - were put up to support the walls. At present the building houses the Ukraine Museum of Books and Printing.