One of the oldest squares in Kyiv, it is centrally located in the historic Old Kyiv area (or Upper Town – the oldest part of Kyiv, belongs to Shevchenko administrative-territorial district). Formed in the XII century as the main entrance to St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. It acquired its modern image in the 1850s. At various times it was called the Militia square, Governmental, Soviet and Kalinin.
Around the square there are historic buildings of different eras:
- St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in the Ukrainian Baroque style, the architectural ensemble of which includes cross-domed cathedral and 40-meter three-storey tower, destroyed in 1930 and rebuilt in the days of independent Ukraine, and John the Divine church, built in 1710s and Kyiv theological Academy (former monastery hotel, built in the late XIX century.), which survived the Soviet period intact;
- Monumental Communist Party Central Committee building (now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine), decorated with Corinthian colonnade. It was built in 1938 by architect Joseph Langbard from Leningrad;
- First High School (now the Diplomatic Academy), built around 1860 by architect Alexander Beretta in the classical style;
- Monument to Princess Olga (three marble sculptures on granite pedestal) – opened in 1911, dismantled in 1930 and rebuilt in 1996;
- "Public office" (now – National Police of Ukraine) – administrative buildings in the classicism style, built in 1854-1857 between St. Michael and Sophia Square. "Kyiv Pentagon" (complex comprising fire department with the old fire tower, shaped like a pentagon) was overbuilt twice. At different times there were administrative and financial institutions, courts, police, the NKVD, and during the civil war – General Denikin’s interim administration.
