Church of Our Lady Pirogoschi

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Pirogoscha - Orthodox stone church, built in Podil on the Kontraktova ploscha in the years 1132-1136, by prince Mstislav Yaropolk, son of Prince Vladimir Monomakh.
In 1240 the church was almost destroyed during the invasion of the Mongols. By 1474 rebuilt and festively consecrated, but already in 1482 again was badly damaged during the raid of the Crimean Khan Mengli Giray to Kyiv. In the years 1613-1614 after a fire in 1611 the church was rebuilt by the Italian architect Sebastiano Brachi.
In 1935, destroyed by the Bolsheviks (Communists).
In the 1976-1979 years were carried out archaeological excavations the foundations of the temple, which reached a depth of 4 m. The foundation was made of construction material, taken from earlier buildings. Then the idea of ​​restoring the building for the museum, was appeared, but wasn't realized.
The church was rebuilt in 1997-1998 in the forms of ancient (Byzantine) Architecture. Actually it's only one church with a thousand years history, built in original style of Kievan Rus times. So it's only one place where we can see the style churces were buidl in Kyiv millenium ago.

Andriyivskyy Descent

Andriyivskyy Descent is a historic descent connecting Kiev's Upper Town neighborhood and the historically commercial Podil neighborhood. The street, often advertised by tour guides and operators as the "Montmartre of Kiev", is a major tourist attraction of the city.
The descent, totalling 720 metres in length, is constructed of laid cobblestones. It winds down steeply around the Zamkova Hora hill, ending near the Kontraktova Square in the Podil.

St Andrew's Church

The Saint Andrew's Church is a major Baroque church located in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The church was constructed in 1747–1754, to a design by the Imperial Russian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a cathedral.
The Saint Andrew's Church overlooks the historic Podil neighborhood, situated on a steep hill to which the church gave its current name—Andriyivska Hill. It is currently one of four architectural landmarks of Ukraine, which were put down on the List of Mankind Treasures of Five Continents by the world society.
Saint Andrew's Church was built in honor of Saint Andrew who is recognized as the "Apostle of Rus".According to the chronicle The Tale of Bygone Years, Saint Andrew came to the Dnieper (Dnipro) River's slopes in the 1st century AD and erected a cross on the current location of the church. He prophesied that the sparsely inhabited area would become a great Christian city. As he predicted, the site arose to become the city of Kiev, a center of the Eastern Orthodox faith.

St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery

St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery is a functioning monastery in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The monastery is one of the most sacred places in Kyiv. The site is located in the historic administrative Uppertown and overlooks the city's historical commercial and merchant quarter, the Podil neighbourhood.
Originally built in the Middle Ages by Sviatopolk II Iziaslavych, the monastery comprises the Cathedral itself, the Refectory of St. John the Divine, built in 1713, the Economic Gates, constructed in 1760 and the monastery's bell tower, which was added circa 1716–1719. The exterior of the structure was rebuilt in the Ukrainian Baroque style in the 18th century while the interior remained in its original Byzantine style.
The original cathedral was demolished by the Soviet authorities in the 1930s, but was reconstructed and opened in 1999 following Ukrainian independence.
Legend says that it's an spiritual connection bettwen Saint Sophia Cathedral belltower and St. Michael's Golden Domed Monastery belltower. When both towers ""see"" each other like nowadays Ukraine can get prosperity. We don't know is it tru, but when monastery was destroyed by the Soviets - life really bacame not well, and when it was rebuilded in 1999 our country really started to develop much faster after a decade of economic collapce in 90th years of 20th century.
Complex of bells on the tower now work and you can hear it every hour. You also can visit the tower as well, and it will be one of the best thing you can do in Kyiv.
A tradition to make godled doms on cathedrals started from this monastery.

Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square)

Independence Square) is the central square of Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine. One of the main city squares, it is located on the Khreschatyk Street. The square has been known under many different names, but it became known simply as the Maidan due to the political events that took place there in 2004 after the Ukrainian accession to independence.

Monument to Volodymyr the Great

Monument to the Volodymyr the Great, dedicated to well known grand prince of Kyiv, ruler of Kyivan Rus' in (980–1015). Monument is the oldest one in Kyiv, it was never destroyed from the day of opening in 1853 year. One of the main city's symbol. Volodymyr the Great was  originally a pagan, he converted to Christianity in 988 and then proceeded to baptise all of Kyivan Rus. Thanks to him our country is Christian now, that's why he is one of the famost Ukrainian ruler of all times.

Panoramic view from People's Friendship Arch

This point is one of the best panoramic view point known in Kyiv, and obviously this one is the most popular.
There is a a monument of people's friendship arch on the place. This place is much better known as "Veselka" - rainbow, because of the form of the arch.
View point situated beneath philarmonic right near the European square. This place is one of the "must see" points in Kyiv.

European Square

The European Square is located in what is known as the Old Town (Stare Misto) or the Upper Town. It is located at the north-eastern end of the Khreschatyk, the city's main street.
The square was known under at least nine different names during the last two hundred years.
Originally, the square was called the Horse's Square (Konnaya Ploschad), because its location was used for horse trading
Тhe square was later called Theatre Square (Teatralnaya Ploschad) after the 1805–1806 construction of the first theater in Kiev by the architect Andriy Melensky located at the current place of Ukrainian House
In 1851, when the Yevropeysky Hotel was built to the designs of the architect Alexander Vikentievich Beretti, the square was officially renamed to European Square ('Yevropeyskaya Ploschad) — the name that was returned to in post-Soviet times
Between 1869 and 1919 the square was called Tsar Square (Tsarskaya Ploschad, due to the monument of Alexander II of Russia erected there). During that time the square was also referred to as Aleksandrovskaya for the same reason.
In Soviet times the square was renamed Third International's Square (Ploshcha Tretioho Internatsionalu).
Briefly during Nazi occupation it was named after Adolf Hitler.
In 1944 the square was renamed Stalin Square (Stalinska Ploshchad).
And in 1961, the square was named Ploscha Leninskoho Komsomolu or Lenin's Komsomol Square.
Nowadays name European square - was returned in times of Ukrainian Independence (after 1991). European house is situated on the square.

Places of Interest in Kyiv

Ukraine has a long history and rich culture. That is why there are many places of interest there.

It is natural that the capital of the country, Kyiv, has the greatest number of them. It is one of the oldest cities in

Europe.

From time immemorial Kyiv has been the centre of Slavonic culture. There are many ancient cathedrals and

churches, museums and monuments, beautiful streets and squares in it.

The main street of Kyiv is certainly Khreshchatic. If you have never been to Kyiv you should start your sightseeing

there.

PLACES TO SEE IN KYIV: KHRESHCHATYK

The Square of Lenin Komsomol marks the beginning of Kyiv central business district and most popular people watching street — the beautiful tree-lined Boulevard Khreshchatyk. It is hard to believe that here there was once a valley with a brook across it. The valley's name was Khreshchata (Crossed) because of the many ravines that crossed it.
At the Square of Lenin Komsomol there is a large building with red granite steps which was once the Lenin Museum. Erected in 1982, in 1991 the museum was closed and converted into the Ukrainian House, which serves as a cultural centre with concerts and art exhibits.
Just up the hotel Dnipro is the Museum of Ukrainian Fine Arts (1897—1899). Built in the style of a Greek temple with a 6-column portico, the museum's 21 galleries contain valuable collections, generally unknown in the West, of Ukrainian icons, paintings and sculpture from the 14th to early 20th centuries. Works of T. Shevchenko, K. Kostandi, H. Narbut are among the exhibits of the museum. The beautiful pink-and-lavender building on the opposite side of the street down from-the museum is The National Parliamentary Library of Ukraine. To the left of it there is the main entrance to the Central Park of Culture arid Rest, where Kyiv's Dynamo Stadium is located. Return to the Lenin Komsomol Square and take the underpass below the square to the opposite side. The structure here is Kyiv's Philharmonic Society (1882). On your right is a broad stairway, which leads to a huge stainless steel arch commemorating the Reunion of Russia and Ukraine. As you face the arch, on your left there is Volodymyr Hill and the Monument to the Great Prince Volodymyr. The 20-metre monument depicts the paganruler who brought Christianity to Russia. It was erected in 1853.
One block west of Lenin Komsomol Square is the Independence Square, Kyiv's main square. Not far from it, at the top of the hill,is a pre — revolutionary building with a classical colonnade, the Palace of Culture. Built by the architect Vikenty Beretti in the early 1840s, it was originally a finishing school for young ladies of the nobility. Today it is one of the city's largest concert halls. As you return to the Independence Square, turn left to Karl Marx Street. The impressive grey column building on the corner of Karl Marx Street and Khreshchatyk is the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Directly across Khreshchatyk Kyiv's main Post Office is located.

PLACES TO SEE IN KYIV: UPPER KYIV

As you leave St. Sophia's Cathedral, turn left into Volodymyrska street which opens into St. Sophia Square. The equestrian statue standing in the square's centre is in honour of the great Cossack Hetman, politician and military hero, Bohdan Khmelnytsky (1595— 1657). It was designed by well-known St. Petersburg sculptor Mikhail Mikeshin and was erected in 1888 through donations.
Follow the street running down the right-hand side of the square. This street will lead you to Saint Michael Square. The square takes its name from the Mykhailivsky Zolotoverkhy Monastery (St. Michael's Monastery of the Golden Roof) and the Cathedral with the same name, which used to stand here. Saint Michael was considered Kyiv's patron and is depicted on the coat of arms of the city. The Cathedral, as well as the Monastery, was founded on this site by Kyiv Prince
Sviatopolk in 1108. The Cathedral was destroyed in 1934—1935 to make way for the building of the Central Committee of the Ukrainian Communist Party on your left. Today, this massive structure houses Ukrainian governmental offices.
On your right is the upper entrance to Kyiv's funicular (cable car) built in 1905. Funicular leaves you at Poshtova Ploshcha (Post Office Square). There you will find the Poshtova Ploshcha Metro Station, as well as the Kyiv Richkovy Vokzal (River Station).
Now let's continue our excursion of Kyiv's Upper City. On St. Michael Square notice the stone and metal statue dedicated in 1993 to the memory of more then 7 million Ukrainian peasants killed by the Stalinist regime during the Great Famine of 1932—1933. Turn right off the square to Three Saints' Street. Here is the Refectory (1713), a white stone church with a single wooden cupola. Once it was the part of St. Michael's Monastery of the Golden Roof.
On your right, as you head down Three Saints' Street, is St. Alexander's Catholic Church, named after the Russian Emperor Alexander I. It was built in 1817—1842 to commemorate the victory over Napoleon. Its style is si miliar, to Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. During the Soviet period the Church was drastically modified and used as a planetarium. Its reconstruction has recently been completed. Continue on Three Saints' Street down a steep incline, which ends at the Square of Lenin Komsomol.

PLACES TO SEE IN KYIV: ST. SOPHIA'S CATHEDRAL

It's just a short walk to get to the Kyiv's oldest surviving church, Saint Sophia's Cathedral. Today the complex of buildings and churches that make up Saint Sophia's is a museum. In addition to the Cathedral, exhibits include models of ancient Kyivan Rus' towns.
Saint Sophia's is the highlight of many visitors' stay in Kyiv. This majestic 13-domed church was named after the Constantinople's Saint Sofia's Cathedral. Sofia in Greek means "wisdom". The Cathedral was built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslay the Wise (he's buried inside) to commemorate the victory over the Pechenegs (Asian nomadic tribes) and to glorify Christianity. The church became aholy place of worship for ancient Kyivites, as well as a major cultural and political centre of Kyivan Rus'. Adjoining Yaroslav's Palace, Saint Sophia's was often used to receive foreign diplomats and negotiate treaties. The first library and school in Kyivan Rus' were situated in the Cathedral. Sophia's made a huge impression on the ordinary citizens of Kyiv in that era, with its rich frescoes and mosaics, many of which are still intact, almost a millennium later. Saint Sophia's is a national treasure of Ukraine.
Behind the Cathedral on your right stands the four-storeyed, (76 metres/249 foot), azure and white, stone Bell Tower (1744—1752). The Ukrainian Baroque fourth storey and gilded cupola of the Tower, were added in 1852. On your left is the 18th century Refectory. It is now a museum and houses archaeological and architectural displays.

Places of Interest in Kyiv

Ukraine has a long history and rich culture. That is why there are many places of interest there. It is natural that the capital of the country, Kyiv, has the greatest number of them.

It is one of the oldest cities in Europe. From time immemorial Kyiv has been the centre of Slavonic culture. There are many ancient cathedrals and churches, museums and monuments, beautiful streets and squares in it.

The main street of Kyiv is certainly Khreshchatyk. If you have never been to Kyiv you should start your sightseeing there. The street is only one kilometre long but very impressive.

Kyiv is famous for its Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra. More than 80 buildings were constructed on its territory during 900 years of the monastery’s existence.

Tourists always go to have a look at the monument to Bohdan Khmelnytsky, the outstanding Ukrainian statesman and military leader.

There are many other places of interest in Kyiv. One of them is the State Historical Museum of Ukraine. There are more than 50,000 exhibits on display. The exposition tells us about the history of Ukraine and its culture from antiquity to the present days.

The Golden Gates, the Andreyevskaya Church, the monuments to Prince Volodymyr and Taras Shevchenko are worth seeing.

Kyiv Shevchenko Opera and Ballet House, Kyiv Ivan Franko Drama Theatre are well-known all over the country. Any place is interesting in its own way and visiting it we come to know and love this country more.