Kiev Things to Do Tips by IngaA

Visit the old town districts, one of the most remarkable place is the St. Sofia Cathedral, well seen even from remote places due to its big tower covered with the gold.
Built under the reigning of the duke Jaroslaw the Wise, one of the most powerful governors, it is included into the World Heritage List.

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Address: the very centre of the city, the Sofiewska square

The historical district lying near the hills on the bank of Dnipro. At the time of Kievan Rus the poor people were living there, workers had their commuinity and it's still kept in the streets names (Honcharna - Earthern-workers str).
In the Middle Age, one of the first university in Eastern Eurepe (Kyiv-Mohyla academy) was established there - now it's open again afterr long period of inactivity.
In XiX century on the main square the All-Russian empire fair was carried out there every year. Many contracts were concluded, and due to that the square bears the title 'Kontraktowa'. Coming down from the Andriivski uzviz, you get strictly there!

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Directions: Main square of Podil. You can get there by tram, bus #62 and metro.

Mykhailiwski zoloteverhiy monastyr (St. Michael monastery with a Cathedral)
One of the best examples oh Ukrainian baroque, dominated by the golden cupolas. Built during XI-XII centuries.
In 30th it was destroyed during the communist anti-religious campaign, together with 19 other churches, some of which were the architectural masterpieces (Uspenski catherdal in Lavra, 'Velykiy Mykola' and Bohoyavlenski cathedral in Bratski monastery).
Was rebuilt in 1998 and now we can observe its beauty.

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Directions: Mykhailiwska square, centre of the city, just the opposit to the St. Sophie cathedral

Very impressive, beautiful building decorated with the fantastic and 'chimeric' figures,, elephants' hears, mermaids, frogs, griffons. It was built in the beginning of XX century by Kyiv architect Wladislaw Gorodetski. He was fun of hunting and realised its fantasies in these quaint figures of fairytale animals

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Directions: the centre of the city, Pechersk district, Bankova str.

I think it is not necessaru to tell much about it because it is really in every tourist book and every site about Ukraine. The world known cave monastery on the huge territory, with a big, also golden-covered tower bell and many churches and monasteries. The biggest one is the recently renovated Uspenski. It was destroyed in year of 1941. Scientists still did not come to the decision on who did it. First, it was supposed that German troops exploded it during the occupation, According to the other versions, the clandestinity fighters prepared the explosion to kill the high German officials who had gatherings in this cathedral. But whatever happened, now the tourists can see again its beauty.

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Directions: Pechersk district, on the hill, near the museam of WW2

Andriivski uzviz (St. Andrew's descent)
One of the most ancient streets in Ukraine. Was connecting the upper and downtown. Now the artists express their works (paintings, souvenirs, handicrafts) their. The most popular walking place for locals, especially at the last sunday of May, when the 'Kyiv day' holiday is celebrated.
From the upper side the real decoration is Andriivska (St. Andrew's) church built by the famous Italian architecture Rasstrelli (author of Mariinski palace and a lot of buildings in St. Petersburg). Legend says that apostolus Andriy Pervozvanniy raised the Zamkova gora (hill) and put a cross exaxtly on that place. At that time the big sea was washing the downtown and fell asleep. After St. Andriy put a cross, the sea withdrew. Amdriivska church has no bells because, according to the legend, with the first blow of the bell, the sea will wake up and sink the downtown.

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Address: From Vladimirska St. to Kontraktova square

If you come here on late spring, summer or early autumn - don't miss the boat trip. Dnipro is one of the largest rivers in Europe, it gives the fantastic view of the city from the riverside. There are also ships with bars, discos, etc - upon your preferencies!

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Directions: The departure is from Richkovy vokzal (river boat station). Podil, Poshtova square.

The grave of Askold, one of the last brothers princes, Kiy's descendants.
In year of 882 Varyag (Viking) prince Oleg came top Kyiv and took a throne here. Askold and his brother Dir were murdered.
Askold is supposed to bew burried on the hill near Dnipro river. In XIX centure the rotunda church was built on that place. It was destroyed in 30ies of XX century in the framework of "anti-religious" campaign of the communist power. Rebuilt recently.

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Address: Parkova alley
Directions: not far from Ploscha Slavy (Glory square), Pechersk district.