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"...I happen to feel sick at heart so much that I would take the first train to go there... to see the steeps covered with snow once more. Dnieper... There is no such a beautiful city like Kyiv." Mikhail Bulgakov
Kiev – the capital of Ukraine is one of the largest cities of Europe. It is located on the river Dnipro (Dniper). The population of this city is about 4 130 000 people (without estimation of tourists – about 2661). The city has a territory of 839 km2. Together with suburbs it forms the Kiev agglomeration with the population of 5 206 000 people. Kiev is a separate administrative territorial unit in the content of Ukraine. Its status is determined by the special law. As well Kiev is an administrative center of Kiev region. The city is a cultural, industrial, scientific and transport center of Ukraine. It is located in the North of Central part of Ukraine. The city has its own flag and coat of arms. There is a legend exists that Kiev was founded by three brothers Kiev, Schek and Khoriv and by their sister Lybid in the 5-th century as a center of polyany tribes. It was named on behalf of the elder brother. According to the archeological investigations the first city settlement on the territory of Podil appeared earlier than 880/ Regarding the general point of view starting from 882 Kiev was the capital of Kievan Rus. First mentioning about the city are in the tractate “About managing the Empire” by Konstantin Bahryanorodny and in the Kievan literature of Jewish community. They verify that in the beginning of the 10-th century Kiev was a castle area of Khazaria on the border with Levedia (prehungarian establishment on the territory of Ukraine). Konstantin call this castle “Sambat” that means “high strengthening” from Turkic (probably and Khazarian). Ancient Kievan Rus that reached its greatest period of ascendancy during the 11th and 12th centuries, was a center of trade routes between the Baltic and the Mediterranean seas. The city of Kiev together with strong power of Kievan Rus were destroyed in 1240 by Mongol invaders. These lands were divided into Galicia, Volynia, Muscovy and later, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia. As a result, modern Ukrainian history, for the most part, has been defined by foreign occupation. From 1654 Ukraine was in the content of Russian Empire. From January 1918 till April 1919 it became a capital of independent Ukraine (Central Rada, Hetmanschina Skoropadkoho). At the same time starting from 1918 the capital of Soviet Ukrainian USSR was Kharkiv. In 1934 Kiev became a capital. Kiev suffered severely during World War II, and many irreplaceable architectural and art treasures were destroyed. Earlier in the 1930's the Soviet authorities systematically destroyed many churches. Extensive restoration has revived much of historic Kiev. Despite repressions, suffering, political turmoil, and ecological disasters, Ukraine's spirit and national identity have never died. On August 24, 1991, after the aborted coup in Moscow, Ukraine proclaimed its independence. As of 1994, Ukraine has diplomatic relations with over 135 countries and close to 60 diplomatic missions are established in Kiev. News correspondents, business representatives, and students from all over the world reside in Kiev, and the flow of foreign tourists and official delegations is heavy year round. The resident American community consists of Embassy personnel (including dependents), correspondents, business representatives, clergy, professors, and students.
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Kiev Pecherska Lavra Pecherska Lavra one of the greatest monuments of Kiev was built almost nine centuries ago. It is presented as a complex of churches, masterpieces of architecture by themselves that for a long time has been a holy place for devout Christians. Famous for its catacombs with the saints' relics, Lavra is also called the Monastery of Caves. Museum collections of miniatures and church treasures are amazing places worthy to be seen at least once in your life.
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Mariyinskiy palace This is a unique creature that stands in a beautiful parking zone overlooking the Dnipro river. The palace used to be a residence of Tsar family. The prosperous building was designed by the Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1750 and built under the supervising of the Russian architect Ivan Michurin. Now this palace is used for the official state ceremonies such as presidential meetings and international conferences.
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Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gates) It is a strengthened wall that used to be the sign of the border of the city in 1037. The part of the wall was reconstructed in 1983 when in the business part of Kyiv museum Zoloti Vorota was built.
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Sculpture composition "The founders of Kiev On the bank of Dnipro river one can see a large boat with four persons on it. A woman stands on the nose of the boat with her dress flying with the wind. She is Lybid. The other three men are her brothers - Kyi, Schek and Khoriv. These mythical persons are believed to be the founders of Kyiv city. |
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St. Sophia Cathedral This cathedral is a uniquely remained unspoilt during Soviet times. The great establishment was built by the prince Yaroslav the Wise in 11 century in the name of victory over the pechenig tribe. The cathedral became the most important political and cultural center of the Kievan Rus.
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| Gold domes of Saint Dormitory Kiev-Pechersk Lavra |
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St. Volodymyr Cathedral St. Vladimir Cathedral was built in memory of Prince Vladimir who in 998 introduced Christianity to ancient Rus. Cathedral is built in ancient Byzantine style typical for Russian architecture. This was the style of ancient Russian churches in the times of Volodymyr the Saint (Volodymyr the Great). Cathedral interior was painted by such famous artists as Viktor Vasnetsov and Mikhail Vrubel.
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St.Andrew`s Church There is a pretty legend that says that once in the place were now Dnieper is was the sea. But after St. Andrew entered Kyiv and put a cross on a hill were now St. Andrew Church stands, the sea went off and hid under that hill. Now St. Andrew Church has no bell cause according to the legend the water will come out of the hill and flood all Kyiv with the first strike of the bell.
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House of Horodetskiy One of the most interesting parts of Kyiv, this house is located in a very peaceful and quiet part of the city center. Outstanding architect Horodetskiy built this house as private residence in 1902-1903. The walls and roof of the house are decorated with intricate sculpture pattern of mythological and hunting subject. The house is considered to be one of the most attractive buildings in Kyiv.
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Bogdan Khmelnitsky Monument A monument to one of the most outstanding Hetmans of Ukraine who headed a war for freedom against polish oppression Bohdan Khmelnitskiy —stands on Sofievskaya Square. With his right hand Khmelnitskiy points in the direction of Moscow. |
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Museum Pirohova Museum of national architecture and life is presented as an architectural-landscape complex under the opened sky. It represents all historical ethnography regions of Ukraine. Museum is founded in the village Pirohovo on the suburbs of Kyiv in 1969. There are almost 300 architecture exhibits on the area more than 150 ha. First visitors were accepted in 1976.
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| Funikuler It was built in 1905 and till now is an easy way to reach the Mykhailivska square (uptown) from Podil (downtown). The trip takes only several minutes. The view from funiculer is adorable. One can see panoramic scenery of Kyiv and Dnipro. The cost of such a trip is just 50 kopiykas, except Sundays when it is for free.
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St.Michael`s (Mikhailovsky) Golden-Domen Cathedral St. Michael's Cathedral was destroyed by the times of USSR in 1935 reconstructed in 90th after Ukraine obtained its independence. Inside cathedral there are unique mosaics and wall paintings.
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Museum of the History of great Patriotic War Mother-Land» — is monumental figure of woman which rises upon Dnipro bank hills. It can be seen from different spots of Kiev. It symbolizes the Independence and Protection of our motherhood, struggling against occupational attacks and so on.
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University Starting from IX century Kyiv became an important center of intellectual development of Eastern Europe. Starting from XVII century, Kyivo-Mohylyanska academy and Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University prepared many famous scientists.
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River Station |
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Kteschatik Kreschatik is the main and the most important street of Kyiv. It crosses 3 Squares — among them is the main Square of the city - Maydan Nezalejnosti (Independence Square). During the free days car traffic is closed and the street is free for pedestrians. That is why many people prefer to go to this Square on week ends.
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Maydan Nezalejnosti (Independence Square) |
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