Kreshatyk and
Kreshatyk is the main street of
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Lavra means 'monastery' and Pechersk is a name derived from 'pechery' meaning 'caves'. That and more you will find when visiting the most significant sightseeing point in
St. Vladimir's Cathedral
It took 34 years, many changes in planning, dismissal of several architects and lots of artists to complete the construction of this beautiful cathedral. It was officially consecrated in the presence of Tsar Nikolay II in 1896. The interior walls are covered with paintings from various artists; from outside the bright colors and strong
Open hours: 9:00 - 18:00.
St. Sophia's Cathedral
St. Sophia's Cathedral was constructed in early 11th century and at that time was a mighty impressive complex. Inside you will find amazing mosaics and frescoes, some of which also had to be restored. In one of the altars there is a white sarcophagus with remains of Yaroslav the Wise and his wife Iryna.
Open hours: 10:00 - 17.30 Wednesday: 10:00 - 16.30
Mikhailovskiy Monastery
This gold-domed cathedral is located just opposite the Sophia Cathedral, on
This baroque palace was completed in 1752 for Empress Elisabeta Petrovna. It burnt down in 1819 and was later reconstructed again to accommodate monarchs and high ranking officials from
Opera House
The Ukrainian National Opera was built in 1856, burnt down 40 years later and there was a competition for new design. Viktor Shreter from
Andreevski Spusk
Andreevski Spusk is the Montmartre of Kiev. There is a market of arts and crafts on the steep street and many artists are closely connected with the street. Mikhail Bulgakov lived in the Turbin house on Andreevski Spusk for more than a decade. The house is the scene of 'The White Guard' and 'The Days of the Turbins' and is now Bulgakov's museum. Not far away - house number 2b - is the
St. Andrey's church
Saint Andrey's Church was also declared a museum in 1968. It was built in the 18th century for Empress Elisabeth Petrovna who also laid the first foundation stone of it herself. She engaged her favourite architect F. B. Rastrelli, the interior was decorated by many artists including A. Antropov. Unfortunately the Empress died before the work was finished and it was a struggle to keep the church maintained. After several reconstructions the church changed too much from its original but luckily Ratsrelli's plans were found and in 1970s it was fully restored.
House with Chimeras
Built by V. Gorodezhkiy in the beginning of 20th century, this house is quite extraordinary. It was the first house built with cement; it is on a very steep slope and sinking now. It is called the House with Chimeras because the facade is decorated with strange sculptures of elephants, rhinoceroses, frogs, and lizards and such. There are many legends about the construction. One is that the architect's daughter committed suicide; he became slightly crazy and built this gloomy house in her memory.
The Peoples Friendship Arch Monument
This monument in Krehsatyk Park was constructed in 1982 to celebrate the union of Russia and Ukraine. It is a huge, 30 meters long, rainbow-shaped arch with statues of Russian and Ukrainian workers. There is a very nice view over the park, river and opposite bank.
Rodina Mat (Motherland)
The 530-ton metal statue is 68 m high, standing on a 40 m pedestal and she's holding a 12-ton sword in her right hand and the USSR symbol in the left. L. Brezhnev opened the monument in 1981. Currently there is the Great Patriotic War museum. In the Memorial Hall there are hundreds of funeral letters to the dead soldiers on display. Every year on Victory day the Fire of Glory is lit here.
Podol
Podol district of Kiev is very popular for its special atmosphere, many bars, cafes and restaurants, proximity to the river and sightseeing points. It is also a district with many lives - it was destroyed by floods, fire, enemies and planned to be demolished but it never disappeared. On Kontraktova Plosha visit Gostinny Dvor, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Pirogoshya, the former Greek monastery or the Kiev Mohyla Academy. Near Poshtova Plosha there is the river station where boats depart for sightseeing tours on one side and the funicular can take you back uptown on the other.
Holy Trinity (St. Yonah’s) Monastery
The monastery was founded over Zvirinets caves in 1864. 800 monks lived in the monastery before 1917. There were two churches in the monastery: Holy Trinity Cathedral and Holy Protection Church. In 1934 the monastery was closed and Holy Protection Church was destroyed. In 1991 the monastery was reopened. Zvirinets caves are as ancient as the Lavra caves.
St.Cyril’s Church
In 1139 Prince Vsevolod of Chernigiv founded a monastery dedicated to his divine patron - St. Cyril of Alexandria. Vsevolod’s wife Maria constructed St.Cyril’s Church in the monastery. In 1786 the monastery was closed. The hospital was situated in the former monks’ cells. In 1860 frescoes of the 12th century were discovered during the renovation of the church. 800 sq. m of frescoes were restored. Some of wall paintings and the icons of the iconostasis were made by Russian artist M.Vrubel at the end of the 19th century. Since 1963 St. Cyril’s Church is a branch of St. Sofia Preserve. The divine service was resumed in 1993. 