What to see in Kiev? Sights of Kiev

Kiev is not in vain called the mother of Russian cities. With so many cultural monuments and so rich in history, not every city in the world can boast. Therefore, local residents do not pose such a question to tourists: "What to see in Kiev?". We suggest starting acquaintance with the city from the historical and spiritual shrine of not only the Ukrainian people - the entire Orthodox world of Eastern Europe.

The Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Kiev)

Coming out on the metro station "Arsenalnaya", we immediately turn left. Approximately 10 minutes walk before us, with its golden domes, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, located on the hilly high banks of the Dnieper, will gleam. To this historic place, they say, once said Andrew Pervozvanny himself, who declared that the glory of God will shine on these hills. The monastery has its history since 1051. It was then that the Monk Anthony, the founder of Russian monasticism, dug the first dugout here, in distant caves. The influx of people willing to devote themselves to the service of God, their lives have increased over time, so that in the cramped caves they all lacked space.

The monastery from the moment of creation attracted influential and noble people, who sought in it solutions to life and moral issues. Thanks to their contributions and donations, it expanded and developed.

The educated advanced part of the monks, in addition, turned this monastery into a cultural center. He eventually became a kind of academy, preparing Orthodox pastors. For example, from the number of his monks already by the beginning of the 13th century more than 50 bishops were appointed. They traveled to different parts of the country to fulfill their pastoral mission.

The most tragic events in its history occurred in 1917, after the October Revolution. The Lavra, like other churches in Kiev, was ruined. Her property, according to the decree of the Soviet government, was nationalized. In 1930, ceased to exist as a monastery Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Kiev). Today it is divided into 2 parts - a museum and a functioning monastery. In its territory, in addition, there are buildings of the Seminary and the Kiev Theological Academy.

Sophia Cathedral

The capital of Ukraine is famous for its churches, temples and cathedrals. The most popular churches in Kiev: St. Sophia Cathedral, St. Andrew's Church, St. Vladimir's Cathedral, Desyatinnaya and St. Cyril's churches, St. Michael's Golden-domed Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church, Holy Trinity Cathedral and others. Let's talk a little more about the St. Sophia Cathedral. It became today actually a museum. Only in strictly designated days is it possible to pray to God. Other cathedrals of Kiev are open for visiting.

In the 11th century, Yaroslav the Wise gave the order for its construction. According to one of the versions, his erection was connected with the arrival of Metropolitan Theopempt to the city. The cathedral was originally a 13-dome structure. A few centuries later, six more chapters were added to it. The building was reconstructed by the 17th century, in the style of the Ukrainian baroque.

The cathedral was repeatedly attacked by invaders during 10 centuries of existence. He survived the invasion of Batu in the 13th century, the hordes of which destroyed almost the whole building and carried away all the valuable utensils. The church was plundered two centuries later by the Crimean Tatars who killed Makarii, the Metropolitan of Kiev. With the onset of the Soviet regime, the council decided to close it. It became a museum-preserve. In it, after Ukraine withdrew from the USSR, the services were resumed. However, the building was soon included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and in the temple, according to this, services were banned.

National Museum of the Great Patriotic War

What to see in Kiev, except religious monuments? There are many options. Another attraction of the city, the National Museum of the Second World War, is located near the laurels. Back in 1943, the countdown of his history began. Then it was decided to create this museum. However, the urgent need to restore the economy has been postponed for almost 30 years.

In 1974, on October 7, as part of the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the liberation of the country from the Nazis, the museum was opened in a building that used to be the Klovsky Palace. In 1981, on May 9, the Memorial Complex was also opened . According to the historical value of exhibits and sizes, it is one of the largest on the territory of Ukraine. Today this museum is the leading methodical and scientific-educational center devoted to the military history of this country. With its exhibits during the existence of the memorial, more than 24 million visitors from about 200 countries of the world have met.

The statue "Motherland"

The museum is located at the bottom of the statue called "Motherland" with a height of more than 60 meters. On the circumference of the foot there are exhibition halls. Their total length is about 5 km. With a statue of the observation deck on the top of the shield, located at an altitude of about 30 m, a beautiful view of the open spaces of Kiev. If you are not afraid of heights, we recommend to admire also the city views opening from the lower platform, which is at the base of the statue, at the height of the 9-storey building.

Mariinsky Park

Coming out of the museum of the Second World War, we will return back, in the direction of Art. "Arsenalnoy". Passing it and walking along Hrushevsky Street a little ahead, you will get to the entrance to the Mariinsky Park. It is an amazing example of its park architecture from the 18th to 19th centuries. The area of the Mariinsky Park is about 9 hectares. It is considered one of the oldest in Ukrainian territory. The park was laid in 1874. O. G. Nedzelsky, an experienced gardener, created his project.

The atmosphere in the parked old chestnut trees, maples and lindens is very cozy and quiet, with a philosophical reflection and a quiet pastime. Once upon a time there was a children's railway in its territory, there were cheerful cries and children's laughter. Here you can see a monument to the participants of the January Uprising, the heroes of the October Revolution, General Vatutin and many others.

The Mariinsky Palace

The Mariinsky Palace is one of the main attractions of this park. It was erected in the 18th century by the design of V. Rastrelli, a well-known architect from Italy. The palace is in Baroque style. He served as a temporary residence of Elizabeth, the Empress. The second floor of this palace, made of wood, was burned down in 1819 during a fire. And it was only at the end of the 19th century that the palace was rebuilt according to a project developed by Majewski. This was done by the arrival of Alexander II and his wife, the Empress Maria. The palace was named Mariinsky in her honor.

Today it serves as the official residence of the Ukrainian president. He uses it for meetings with foreign delegations and statesmen of the world. The Supreme Council of Ukraine is located next to this palace. The square in front of the building is called Constitution Square.

Summer stage and the stadium. V. V. Lobanovsky

Today there is a small observation deck in the Mariinsky Park. It offers an amazing view of the left bank of Kiev from the height of the Pechersk Hills. From here you can see the Dnieper, Kiev river with a lot of green islands. Going into the depths of the park alley, you will go out to the summer stage, where various charity concerts and performances are arranged periodically. The stadium named after VV Lobanovsky, the greatest coach, is just below. Now he belongs to the most famous Ukrainian football team - Kiev Dynamo.

Other attractions in the Mariinsky Park

A little lower is the most romantic place in the city - the bridge of lovers. It connects two parks: Khreshchaty and Mariinsky. With this bridge there are many beliefs and legends. Young people who have visited here consider it necessary to leave small locks, napkins and handkerchiefs tied with a ribbon knot as a sign of eternal love. In the Mariinsky Park, in addition, you can find the People's Friendship Arch, the Puppet Theater and the Water Museum. The last visit price is 30 UAH for adults, 20 for children (when translated into Russian rubles, the cost may vary depending on the course's fluctuations, but on average the amount is 71-73 and 47-50 rubles, respectively). Going down from here even lower, you will go to the European Square and Khreshchatyk Street.

Khreshchatyk

This is certainly the most beautiful street in the city, its modern face. This is what you need to see in Kiev! Here, for more than 200 years, the vortex of the business, cultural and political life of Kiev has been boiling. Here, the first high-rise building appeared in the city, first gas, and then electric lighting began, and sewerage and water pipelines were built, later on to other streets of Kiev. For the first time on Khreshchatyk the first Kyiv streetcar sounded, its inhabitants were the first to feel the advantages of telegraph and telephone communication.

On this street, one of the shortest among other central streets of European capitals (the length of Khreshchatyk is only 1200 meters), Peter Tchaikovsky, Taras Shevchenko, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Joseph Mandelstam, Fedor Chaliapin and others went for a walk. Looking at it, drowning in the green of chestnut trees, it's hard to believe that 300 years ago there was Khreshchaty Rum, a place where Prince Vladimir the Great baptized his boyars and druzhina.

This area, the center of Kiev, already in the 19th century experienced a grandiose reconstruction, and from an abandoned place turned into a cultural center of the city and its main highway. We can say that Khreshchatyk has since become the historical site of the capital of Ukraine, its visiting card, like the New York Broadway or Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. It was here that once housed the most exquisite and expensive shops, luxury hotels, banks. And on the Independence Square there was a building of the City Duma.

Tragically changed the appearance of Khreshchatyk events of 1941. Almost all of its buildings were in ruins. But the efforts of the people of Kiev were rebuilt. The center of Kiev offers tourists and other attractions. One of the most popular is the Independence Square.

Independence Square

Passing along Khreshchatyk, considering the architectural complexes of banks, we get to Independence Square - the central square of Kiev. It will attract your attention to the buildings of the Central Post Office, the Conservatory, the former institute of noble maidens, which houses the International Cultural Center and the Independence Monument.

So, we briefly told what to see in Kiev. Of course, there are many more options. These are just some landmark places in the city. It is definitely worth a visit. The streets of Kiev and its sights do not disappoint you.