An 11th-century cathedral, a 21st-century roof. The shell is fine. The 900-year-old plaster inside is not, and it is losing ground every time water gets in.

The Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv is one of the oldest buildings in Ukraine, begun around 1030. It survived the Mongol invasion, the Soviet period and the shelling of 2022, which damaged the surrounding monastery and blew out windows in the nave.

The emergency is water. A patched roof from the 1980s is failing at the north aisle. Moisture is migrating into medieval plaster and the 19th-century wall paintings beneath it. Conservators have stabilised the worst panels; the roof has to follow.

Svitlo funds the north aisle roof, the gutters and the conservation of four plaster panels, supervised by the Chernihiv conservation workshop.

Scope of works

• North aisle roof and gutters
• Four medieval plaster panels: stabilisation and grouting
• Interior humidity monitoring for 24 months
• Window protection in the nave

Original drawing

Timeline

1. 2022

   Blast damage to monastery buildings and nave windows.

2. 2025

   Conservators stabilise the worst plaster panels.

3. Jul 2026

   Roof works begin; humidity loggers installed.

4. Oct 2026

   North aisle closed to weather; monitoring continues.

Accountability

Damage

Blast damage 2022; chronic roof failure

Begun

c. 1030

Heritage

Part of the Ancient Chernihiv reserve

Scope

North aisle roof, gutters, four plaster panels

The condition survey, procurement record and completion certificates are available on request. Write to hello@svitlo.fund.