Golden Gate St. Sophia's Cathedral Khreshchatik Andriyinsky Descent Pechersk Vydubetsky Monastery Pokrova Convent

The Catholic Cathedral of Saint Nicholas Askoldova Mohyla Mariinsky Dvorets Babi Yar Pyrohovo Village Podil

Kyiv (also known as Kiev), a scenic city of close to 3 million people situated on the Dnipro River, is the bustling capital of Ukraine. Ancient Kievan Rus, which reached its greatest period of ascendancy during the 11th and 12th centuries, was a center of trade routes between the Baltic and the Mediterranean. The city of Kyiv and the power of Kievan Rus were destroyed in 1240 by Mongol invaders and the lands of Kievan Rus were divided into principalities located to the west and north: Galicia, Volynia, Muscovy and later, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia.

Kyiv 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 Kyiv.

The art and architecture of Kyiv are world treasures. The Cathedral of St. Sophia, where the princes of Kyiv were crowned in the years of Kyiv's grandeur, has outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century. Overlooking the old section of Kyiv, Podol, stands the Ukrainian Baroque church of St. Andrew, much beloved by Ukrainians. The Percherska Lavra, the Monastery of the Caves, a short trolley ride from the center of town, has two 11th-century cathedrals on its grounds, in addition to its world-famous catacombs, bell tower, and museum collections. Close to the center of town stands the Golden Gate, a structure which dates back to 1037. This recently reconstructed remains of the former fortified wall of the city defined the limits of the city in centuries past. Several blocks away, stands the magnificent 19th-century Cathedral of St. Volodymyr.

Golden Gate

A good place to start a Kiev travel is at its hilly old town center, the Verkhny Gorod (Upper Town), also known as Old Kiev. Here you will find the few surviving monuments of Kiev’s ancient past. The Zoloti Vorota or Golden Gate, 1017-1024, is located just outside the metro station of the same name. As you exit the northern entrance of the metro, you'll face the back side of the Golden Gate. Of the few remaining fortifications from the times of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (1019-54), the Golden Gate is the most remarkable. In 1983, the ruins of the Golden Gate, built as a defensive structure, were restored to their present condition. The same year, the Golden Gate Museum was opened. The ground floor contains exhibits relating to the history of old Kiev. The halls display armaments used by the ancient Kievites and other excavations from the site of the Golden Gate. The balconies of the museum offer a panoramic view of Kiev.

St. Sophia's Cathedral

Today, the complex of buildings and churches that make up St. Sophia's is a museum. In addition to the cathedral, exhibits include models of ancient Kievan-Rus towns.

St. Sophia's is the highlight of many visitors' stay in Kiev. This majestic 13-domed church was named after the Constantinople. Sofia in Greek means "wisdom". The Cathedral was built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise (he's buried inside) to commemorate the victory over the Pechenegs (Asian nomadic tribes) and to glorify Christianity. The church became a holy place of worship for ancient Kievites, as well as, a major cultural and political center in Kievan Rus. Adjoining Yaroslav's Palace, Saint Sofia's was often used to receive foreign diplomats and negotiate treaties. The first library and school in Kievan-Rus were situated in the church. Sohpia's made a huge impression on the ordinary citizens of Kiev in that era, with its rich frescoes and mosaics, many of which are still intact almost a millennium later. Saint Sofia's is a national treasure of Ukraine.

Khreshchatik

The Square of Lenin Komsomol marks the beginning of Kiev central business district and most popular people watching street, the beautiful tree-lined boulevard, Khreshchatik. It is hard to believe that here there was once a valley, surrounded by a thick forest, with a brook across it. The valley's name was Khreshchata (Crossed) because of the many ravines that crossed it. Kievan princes liked to hunt here, now, tourists hunt here for souvenirs in its numerous stores

Andriyinsky Descent

This is one of Kiev's oldest streets. In ancient times, the street linked the administrative part of the Upper City with the Podil , the Lower City of merchants and artisans. This steep, winding stone street is a traditional place for outdoor totes, festivals, and concerts and has a variety of interesting art galleries and shops. It is at the heart of Kiev's artist community and is a favorite stop for tourists and one of the best areas in Kiev to find traditional Ukrainian crafts and art. Elegantly outlined against Kiev's sky-line at the top of Andriyivsky Uzviz , stands St. Andrew's Cathedral. Designed in 1754 by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, it is one of the few buildings to have survived intact with no reconstruction or significant damage. The single-domed cathedral, with its five lesser cupolas, seems to hover over the city.

Pechersk

Southeast of the main center of Kiev, spread over two large hills along the banks of the Dnieper, is the Kiev-Perchersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves). Kiev Pecherska Lavra Monastery is a "must see" visit while in Kiev. This twenty-eight hector functioning monastery contains numerous churches, towers, printing works, miles of maze like underground tunnels containing numerous churches, ancient crypts, ecclesiastical objects, and some of Kiev's richest museums. Among the museums are the Museum of Historical Treasures, the Museum of Ukrainian Decorative and Applied Art, and the Museum of Ukrainian Books and Printing, where Russia's first printing press was established.

"Lavra" is the term used by the Orthodox Church for its largest monastery. Pecherska Lavra was one of the most famous monasteries in historical Kievan-Rus and the former Russian Empire. A site of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians throughout Europe, for centuries it was Orthodox Christianity's "Rome". Founded in 1051 by monks Antony and Feodosiy, the primary goal of the monastery was to spread the newly adopted Christian religion. A cave is "pechera" in Ukrainian, hence the name of monastery. Monks worshipped and lived in the caves which still can be visited. The monks were also buried in these caves. The mixture of the cool temperatures and humid atmosphere of the caves allowed the bodies of the dead to mummify. At the time of monastery foundation, this appeared to be a miracle, enhancing the monastery's prestige. Even today,their bodies remain almost perfectly preserved.

Vydubetsky Monastery

40 Vydubetska Street

Vydubetsky Monastery was founded by Prince Vsevolod, the son of Prince Yaroslav the Wise and father of Vladimir Monomakh, between 1070 and 1077. The monastery controlled the ferry across the Dnipro River. Many of the best scholars of Kievan- Rus lived and worked in the monastery. Among them, chroniclers Sylvester and Moisey, made a great contribution to writing "The Story of Bygone Days". Only a few churches of this monastery have survived over the centuries. One of these is the Church of Saint Michael. The Monastery acquired it's present appearance in the 18th century .when the five-domed Saint Yuri Cathedral, Refectory, and Bell Tower were erected in the Ukrainian-Baroque style.

Pokrova Convent

Founded in 1889 by the great Princess, A.P. Romanova, who became its first Mother-Superior. The convent consists of the entrance building, St. Michael Cathedral, dormitories of the nuns and the hospital. The golden-domed St. Michael Cathedral was built in 1896-1906 by the architect V. Nikolayev. Drastically changed during the Soviet era, it still is very impressive.

The Catholic Cathedral of Saint Nicholas

77, Chervonoarmiyska

The Catholic Cathedral of Saint Nicholas was designed by S. Valovsky and built by the architect V. Horodetsky in 1899-1909. It is easily recognized by its Gothic style and its pair of needle-like towers. It was restored in 1980 and, today, is used both as a church and a concert hall. Roman Catholic services are held every day at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m in Ukrainian. Sunday, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., 11- a.m. - 1- p.m. in Polish, 3 p.m. in Ukrainian.

Askoldova Mohyla

Askoldova Mohyla (Askold's Grave), 1810-1935. Located in a picturesque park on the right bank of the Dnipro not too far from the World War II Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. According to ancient chronicles, in 882, the Novgorodian Prince Oleg murdered Kiev's Princes Askold and Dir on this hillside site. Shortly there after, Oleg seized Kiev. Askold is believed to be buried here. In 1810, a brick church- rotunda designed by architect Melensky was built here and, in 1935, a colonnade was added to protect it. Take the metro to Arsenalna Station and exit to your left until you reach Dneprovskii Uzviz, which slopes off to your left just past the Hotel Salyut.

Mariinsky Dvorets

5 Hrushevsky Street

Mariinsky Dvorets (Mariinsky Palace), 1750-1755. Named in honor of Tsar Alexander II's wife, the Empress Maria. This beautiful blue- and cream-colored palace is similar in style to the imperial summer estates in St. Petersburg. This building was designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, Empress Elizabeth's favorite architect, and built under the direction of Moscow architect Ivan Michurin. It's a lovely mixture of Ukrainian and Russian Baroque. Before the 1917 Revolution, the palace was used as residence for visiting members of the imperial family. Today, the building is used for official state functions and is closed to the public.

Babi Yar

There was a time when Babi Yar was just a deep ravine on the outskirts of Kiev. Occupying German forces changed all of that in September 1941 when they ordered 35,000 of Kiev's Jewish residents to gather their belongings and march to Babi Yar. Thinking they would be transported to another location, they did as they were told and lined up along the ravine where Nazi firing squads proceeded to execute them. Their bodies were thrown into the ravine below. Throughout the Nazi occupation of Kiev, Babi Yar was used for mass killings. In all, over 100,000 people, including partisans and members of the underground, but mostly Jews, were killed here. In 1991, a monument was erected near the site.

Pyrohovo Village

Open daily except Wednesday. Winter hours, 10 AM to 4 PM.

Pyrohovo Village (The Ukrainian Museum of Folk Architecture and Peasant Homes). This open air museum offers an exciting walk through history into Ukrainian homes, barns, mills, and wells typical of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. The majority of the buildings are original and were moved here for restoration. Exhibits include traditional Ukrainian clothing, housewares, and ceramics. The most ancient of artifacts date to the 16th and 17th centuries. English speaking guides are available.It's a very pleasant way to spend an entire day.

Podil

The Podil District is very different from the Khreshchatik, which is dominated by the monumental architecture of the Stalinist Era. A stroll through the Podil's narrow, quaint streets gives you a sense of life in Old Kiev, when, before the revolution, the Podil was inhabited by merchants and craftsmen.