Bell of the Church of the Tithes rings in Kyiv for the first time in 800 years

04.09.2026, 11:24 visitukraine.today

For the first time in almost 800 years, the restored bell of the Church of the Tithes rang in Kyiv. Learn how this unique relic was brought back to life

Kyiv has unveiled an exact replica of the bell of the Church of the Tithes, which fell silent after the Mongol invasion of 1240.

For the first time in almost 800 years, a sound that residents last heard in December 1240 has echoed through Kyiv, reports UNIAN. On 3 September, a restored bell of the Church of the Tithes — the first stone Christian church of Kyivan Rus — was presented near the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.

The Church of the Tithes was built in the late 10th century under Prince Volodymyr the Great. For centuries, its bells called Kyiv residents to worship, announced holidays, dangers and important events. In 1240, during the Mongol invasion, the church was destroyed and its bell was lost.

A fragment of the Old Rus bell was found in 1937 by Ukrainian archaeologist Teodosiy Movchanivskyi during excavations at the site of the Church of the Tithes. About 60% of the artefact's surface survived, but the clapper and mounting were completely lost. The researcher was unable to continue his scientific work: in 1938 he was arrested on fabricated charges and executed. Decades later, Movchanivskyi's name was rehabilitated.

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In 2026, the preserved fragment of the bell was 3D-scanned, the composition of the medieval bronze was analysed and international experts were brought in. Specialists from Ukraine, the Netherlands, Germany and Portugal participated in the project.

An exact replica of the bell weighing 87.5 kg was cast at the renowned Royal Eijsbouts foundry in the Netherlands. The work took three months. Using modern technologies and traditional casting methods, experts managed to recreate not only the shape of the bell, but also its sound.

The sound of the replica matches the original sound that Kyiv residents heard before the destruction of the city. This was made possible thanks to modern methods of studying the authentic artefact.

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The project was implemented by the NGO Ukraine WOW together with the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. According to the organisers, the project did not receive state funding — it was supported by the companies Kyivstar and Farmak.

The restored bell rang for the first time during a prayer breakfast in Kyiv. The presentation was timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence.

This event has become an important milestone in the history of preserving Ukraine's cultural heritage. Restoring the sound of one of the symbols of Ukrainian architecture is a significant achievement in studying and popularising the country's history.

The presentation of the replica of the bell of the Church of the Tithes emphasises the importance of preserving historical memory and cultural heritage. Restoring a sound that rang more than 700 years ago allows modern people to better appreciate the greatness of Ukrainian history. This project can also help to increase interest in archaeology and cultural heritage among young people.

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The Church of the Tithes was built by Prince Volodymyr the Great in the late 10th century (989–996) as the first stone church of Kyivan Rus. It became a symbol of the Christianisation of the Rus lands.

In December 1240, during the invasion of the Tatar-Mongol hordes of Khan Batu on Kyiv, the church was destroyed and its bell fell silent forever. Kyiv residents last heard the sound of the original bell in December 1240, when Kyiv suffered destruction.

The artefact was kept in the collections of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. The find in the 1930s became one of the most important archaeological events of that period.

The recreation of the bell was carried out by a team of specialists from several countries. Ukrainian experts provided access to the artefact and historical data. The Dutch foundry Royal Eijsbouts has many years of experience making bells for churches around the world.

German and Portuguese specialists joined the study of the metal composition and acoustic characteristics. Such international cooperation made it possible to achieve maximum accuracy in the recreation.

The organisers do not rule out that the restored bell could become part of a permanent exhibition or be used during special events. The exact location of the bell will be determined separately.

The project can also serve as an example for recreating other historical artefacts. Modern technologies allow us to bring back to life sounds and objects that were considered lost forever.

The restoration of the bell of the Church of the Tithes demonstrates how modern science can be combined with historical heritage. This opens up new opportunities for researchers, museums and everyone interested in the history of Ukraine.

For tourists visiting Kyiv, this event opens a new aspect of getting to know the city's history. Hearing a sound that has not been heard for almost 800 years is a unique experience. The Church of the Tithes was the first stone church of Kyivan Rus. Its history is closely linked to the Christianisation of the Rus lands and the formation of Ukrainian statehood.

Tourists can visit the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, where the original fragment of the bell is kept, and learn more about the history of the church.

The recreation of the bell of the Church of the Tithes is not only a technical achievement, but also a symbolic act of restoring historical memory. The sound that fell silent in 1240 is ringing again in Kyiv, reminding us of the thousand-year history of the Ukrainian state.

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This project shows how international cooperation, modern technologies and dedication can bring unique artefacts back to life. For Kyiv residents and visitors to the city, this is an opportunity to hear the voice of history that has been silent for almost eight centuries.

Reminder! In Skole, Lviv region, the Gredl Palace has been partially opened to tourists. Learn more about the visit centre schedule, the history of the site and interesting facts about the town.

Image: Unian

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