This is an ancient shrine on the beautiful Dnipro. Like Kyiv-Pechery Lavra, it was founded in the 11th century. However is a family monastery of the Monomakh dynasty. It is the second most important monastery in Kiev (after Lavra). Only one old Russian building, the western part, has survived to modern days.  In the 17th and 18th centuries, steps were taken to stiffen and strengthen it with a system of supporting structures.

On the grounds of the monastery are the Central Botanical gardens of the National Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine.