Caves Monastery was founded 3km south of where Kiev stood in 1051. It is also called The Memorial and in Russian, "Pechersk Lavra."
Overlooking the Dnipro River, it is an array of golden-domed churches and underground caves. Monks lived here and their bodies are preserved in the narrow passages of the caves. You must buy a candle to enter the caves. Men must wear hats and women must wear scarves. The passageways are crowded and low. At six feet tall, I had to stoop to walk through them. A private guide costs $20 for two hours and there is a separate charge for touring the Giant Belfry and museums. You can climb the 174 steps of the bell tower and get a view from the top of the entire complex.
The Microminiature Museum is located in the former library. This exhibition displays creations so small that you look through a microscope to view them. You have to see this to believe it. The Russian artist Nikolai Siadristy created the world's smallest electric motor and the world's smallest book. There is also the world's smallest chess set placed on the head of a nail and a flea with golden horseshoes.
The lines are long and the weekends are especially crowded, so you should plan on an entire day to tour this sight.
From journal Winter Vacation in Kiev