Kyiv

The capital of Ukraine Kyiv stretches along the banks of the picturesque river Dnipro. Modern Kyiv is one of the largest cities in Europe. It is an administrative, economic, scientific, cultural and educational centre of Ukraine. Kyiv was founded in the 5th century and it became a political and cultural capital of Rus’, a medieval East Slavic state in the tenth to twelfth centuries.

Nowadays Kyiv has regained its former glory as one of the most beautiful capitals of Eastern Europe. The city has a unique landscape and it is widely known for its architectural ensembles. The art and architecture of Kyiv are world treasures. Kiev’s most famous historical architectural complexes are the St. Sophia Cathedral and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves), which are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The Cathedral of St. Sophia, where the princes of Kyiv were crowned in the years of Kievan Rus’, has outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century. It is the oldest of the standing Kyiv churches. The St. Sophia’s Cathedral has 13 beautiful golden domes, 5 naves, 5 apses, 260 sq. m. of incredible mosaics and 3,000 sq. m. of marvelous fresco paintings. Nowadays the St. Sophia’s Cathedral building is a part of the Museum.

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra was founded in 1051 by monks Antoniy and Feodosiy. Lavra occupies a huge territory (22 hectares) and it is located on two big hills and the valley between them. Lavra’s architectural complex is marvelous. The majority of its structures are built in the Ukrainian Baroque style.

The Mykhalivsky Zolotoverkhy Cathedral is located just opposite of the Saint Sophia Cathedral. Originally it was built by a grandson of  the Prince Yaroslav the Wise Sviatopolk Izyaslavovich in 1108. The Mykhalivsky Zolotoverkhy Cathedral was built in honor of Archangel Michael, the guardian angel of Kyiv.

Close to the centre of Kyiv tourists might admire the Golden Gate, a marvelous structure which dates back to 1037. It remains of the former fortified wall which defined the limits of Old Kyiv.

The numerous city theatres include: the Kyiv Opera House, Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre, Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Theater of Russian Drama, the Kyiv Puppet Theater, the October Palace, the National Philharmonic of Ukraine.

The modern centre with parts of the old city is on the right bank of the Dnipro River. The main street, Khreshchatyk, runs between two steep hills. Parallel to it about half a kilometer west, is Volodymyrska Street, the main street of the Old Kyiv. At night you can see the beauty of Kyiv from the other side. Full of nightlights with its great architecture the capital of Ukraine becomes a wonderful place for a romantic car tour. Impressionable nightlife takes place in numerous splendid nightclubs, disco bars and restaurants.