Klov Palace in Kiev

The Klov Palace is the seat of the Supreme Court of Ukraine in Kiev. The building takes its name from Klov, a neighbourhood of Pechersk District where it is situated. Architect Stephen Kovnir supervised the construction of the building elements which is thought to have been designed by Johann-Gottfried Shedel and Pyotr Neyelov.

The Baroque residence was constructed between 1752 and 1756 with funds provided by Kiev Pechersk Lavra. The Russian royal family were expected to stay at the palace during their visits to the monastery, as they did in a wooden palace that had preceded it. The architects are thought to have been Johann-Gottfried Schedel and Pyotr Neyelov. The actual construction was supervised by Stepan Kovnir. The main hall has the plafond frescoed in 1760. A formal garden was laid out around the palace.

The palace was never visited by any royalty, however, and it was not long before it fell into ill repair. Catherine II of Russia, when passing through Kiev in 1787, preferred Mariyinsky Palace for her residence. It was gutted by a fire in 1858 and was rebuilt soon after with the addition of an upper storey and the side wings. The palace burnt down in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. A restoration process was undertaken in the 1970s.

Occupants of the palace

• The publishing house of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery (1760s)
• A military hospital (1770-1811)
• The main school of Kiev (1811-1857)
• The diocesan school for girls (late 19th century)
• The Ukrainian Museum of the Great Patriotic War (1974-81)
• The Kiev History Museum (1980s and 1990s)