Ancient Chernihiv

Ancient Chernihiv is the National Architecture-Historical Reserve located in the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. It was created at first as an affiliate of the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv". Since August 1, 1967, the site is a separate entity consisting of 34 monuments of architecture. In 2023–2024, UNESCO lead the efforts to rehabilitate the sites of the reserve bombed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Architectural landmarks

Dytynets Park of Chernihiv, also known as Chernihiv's motte
Saviour-Transfiguration Cathedral
Boris and Gleb Cathedral
Chernihiv's Collegium
House of Lyzohub
Piatnytska Church
Catherine's Church
Yelets-Dormition Monastery
Black Grave
Boldyni Hory
Saint Anthony's Caves
Trinity and St. Elijah's Monastery
Monument to Ivan Mazepa
Monument to Prince Igor

Since 1989, the site is placed on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, receiving its reference number 668. According to the description, the site only includes Saviour-Transfiguration Cathedral and Borysohlibskyi Cathedral. As of 2023, the creation of a renewed nomination was underway, and it will include the central part of Dytynets, Yeletska Hora with the ensemble of Yelets Monastery, Black Grave, Boldyna Hora with the 10th century kurgan grave field, and the complex of the Trinity Monastery. As of December 2025, the nomination process has slowed down, primarily due to disputes between the regional and local governments.