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Belgorod Kievsky today

Ukraine · Ruin

Belgorod Kievsky

Bilhorod Kyivskyi (Belgorod) was a city-castle of Kievan Rus' founded in 991 on the right bank of the Irpin River. It was prominent through the 10th–12th centuries and ceased to exist after the Mongol invasions and the sack of Kyiv in 1240. The large earthen Horodyshche visible today preserves the footprint of the fortified settlement and is an important archaeological site near the modern village of Bilohorodka.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1190

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1190

What Belgorod Kievsky looked like in its prime.

A broad oval earthen Horodyshche with high turf-covered ramparts encircling a compact settlement; at prime the ramparts were lined by a continuous wooden palisade and hourly-spaced timber watch-towers. Inside the enclosure clusters of low timber houses with steep shingled roofs and smoke from hearths fill narrow dirt lanes; a modest bishop's church or cathedral and associated wooden buildings rise slightly above surrounding roofs. The site sits beside the flat floodplain of the Irpin River with a single main causeway approach.

Its story

The story of Belgorod Kievsky.

Bilhorod Kyivskyi was a city-castle of Kievan Rus', established in 991 on the right bank of the Irpin River, where the roadway from Kyiv ran on towards Zhytomyr and Halych. According to the chronicle it was the favourite residence of Vladimir I, who moved many of his people there, including, the chronicler records, his three hundred concubines.

The city became a bishop's seat in the 11th century, and in the 12th it played the role earlier filled by Pereyaslavl and Novgorod as the seat of the heir of the grand prince of Kiev. In 1159 it became the seat of Mstislav II, who became grand prince in 1167.

Belgorod was destroyed by the Tatars and ceased to exist after the Mongol invasions and the sack of Kyiv in 1240. The great earthen horodyshche near the modern village of Bilohorodka in Kyiv Oblast preserves the footprint of the fortified city and remains an important archaeological site.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1190.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Belgorod Kievsky, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the western causewayFoot of the rampartsRampart walk and watch-towerVeche (assembly) squareBishop's church (cathedral) exteriorIrpin riverbank landing

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Belgorod Kievsky.

Saint Sophia Cathedral, UkraineCathedralSaint Sophia Cathedral22 km awayMaidan Nezalezhnosti, UkraineSquareMaidan Nezalezhnosti23 km awayMariinskyi Palace, UkrainePalaceMariinskyi Palace24 km away

Questions about Belgorod Kievsky

What is the history of Belgorod Kievsky?

Belgorod Kievsky was established in 991 as a major fortress of Kievan Rus' on the right bank of the Irpin River. It became a bishop's seat in the 11th century and a residence of the heir to the grand prince in the 12th. After the Mongol invasions and the sack of Kyiv in 1240, Belgorod Kievsky was destroyed and fell into decline.

What is inside Belgorod Kievsky?

Inside Belgorod Kievsky, visitors can see the archaeological remains of two stone churches, including foundations, floors, partial walls and other structures. The Church of the Twelve Apostles had a floor of multicoloured glazed tiles, lead-covered domes and surviving fragments of gold wall frescoes. Excavations also uncovered large two-room houses, workshops and other buildings.

Why was Belgorod Kievsky built, and what was it used for?

Belgorod Kievsky was built as a major fortress and frontier stronghold in the defence of Kievan Rus' against nomadic enemies. Its position guarded the road from Kyiv towards Zhytomyr and Halych, while the settlement also became a political, economic and cultural centre. Later, it served as a bishop's seat and a residence for the grand prince's heir.

Where is Belgorod Kievsky?

Belgorod Kievsky is beside the Irpin River near the modern village of Bilohorodka, about 23 kilometres west of Kyiv. The historic settlement stood on the river's right bank, where the road from Kyiv continued towards Zhytomyr and Halych. The surviving horodyshche preserves the footprint of the fortified city.

When was Belgorod Kievsky built?

Belgorod Kievsky was established in 991, placing its construction in the 10th century. The site record does not give a separate first-raised year, but the fortress founded by Vladimir Святославич is dated to 991. Earlier occupation and a possible reference to 980 are described, although existence before 991 is questioned by modern historians.

Was Belgorod Kievsky ever attacked or besieged?

Belgorod Kievsky was besieged by the Pechenegs in 997, but the siege was lifted after the defenders deceived the besiegers. It endured two further sieges, in 1158 and 1161, during the civil war between Mstislav Iziaslavich and Iziaslav Davydovich. The city eventually fell and was destroyed by the Mongols in 1240.

What did Belgorod Kievsky look like in its prime?

In its prime, Belgorod Kievsky was a broad fortified settlement surrounded by high earthen ramparts and deep ditches. Wooden structures reinforced the ramparts, with gates and timber towers controlling the entrances. Inside stood timber houses, streets, workshops, princely and boyar residences, an episcopal court and stone churches, including the Church of the Twelve Apostles.

Is Belgorod Kievsky still standing, or is it a ruin?

Belgorod Kievsky is now a ruin, but its large earthen horodyshche survives as an archaeological site. The remains preserve the footprint of the fortified city, including substantial ramparts, ditches and excavated foundations of churches and other buildings. The settlement itself ceased to exist after the Mongol invasions and the sack of Kyiv in 1240.

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