Volodymyrska Gorka
Volodymyrska Gorka is a cozy place in the heart of the city with old pavilions offering picturesque views of Dnypro and its left bank. The place is often referred to as "inspiration Mecca", as many poets, writers and painters, such as Anna Akhmatova, Taras Shevchenko, Volodymyr Mayakovsiy and Mykhailo Bulgakov, commemorated it in their works.
The bronze monument to Prince Volodymyr, who baptized Russia in 988, is the major attraction of the area. The 4,5 meters high statue had been designed by sculptors Demut-Malinovsky and Clodt and took its present place in 1853. Today the bronze Prince is one of the symbols of the Ukrainian capital.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 September 2010 13:02
St. Volodymyr Cathedral
St. Volodymyr's Cathedral is one of the city's major landmarks and the mother cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchy, one of two major Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. The Byzantine style cathedral was build in 1862-1896 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the baptism of Kyivan Rus by Prince Volodymyr the Great of Kyiv. The design of the cathedral was elaborated by Saint Petersburg architect Strom, Kyiv eparchy architect Sparro and architect Beretti. St. Volodymyr's Cathedral is world famous for its frescos and mosaics, created by such outstanding artists as Vasnetsov, Vrubel, Nesterov and others.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 September 2010 13:09
St. Sofia Cathedral
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv is an outstanding architectural monument of Kyivan Rus and one of the city's best known landmarks, inscribed in the World Heritage List. The complex of the Cathedral is the gem of the National Sanctuary Sophia of Kyiv state institution, which is responsible for its preservation along with several other historic landmarks.
The Cathedral was built in 1037 to the order of Yaroslav Mudry (the Great Prince of Novgorod and Kyiv) and served as a social, political and cultural center of Kyivan Rus as well as a burial place of Kyiv princes. The remains of Yaroslav Mudry, his son Vsevolod and Volodymyr Monomakh are buried there. The cathedral is also famous for its ancient mosaics and frescos by Byzantine masters, as well as for notes and images of great historical value on its walls, known as Sophia graffiti.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 September 2010 13:15
|
Podil
Podil is one of the oldest districts of Kyiv, where craftsmen and fishermen used to live from the times of the Kyivan Rus. Modern Podil consists of numerous well-known architectural and historical landmarks, while new archeological sites are still being revealed.
The list of the major attractions of Podil include: Frolyvsky and Pokrovsky Monasteries, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, House of Ivan Mazepa, House of Peter the Great, Fountain of Samson, Zamkova Hora hill, Andriyivskyy Descent — the main link of Podil to the city's administrative Uppertown, Borychiv Descent, Kyiv River Port, main port on the Dnypro, Kyiv funicular, Poshtova and Kontraktova squares.
On the over 50 industrial organizations, some of which are world known, are situated in the district.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 September 2010 13:17
Pechersk-Lypki
Pechersk and Lypki are two central districts of Kyiv, situated to the south-east of Khreshchatyk on the ancient Klov height. Arsenal of Pecherska Fortress, the building of Soviet of People's Commissars, the Museum of Ukrainian Art can be named among the must-visit sites of the old Pechersk.
Historical Lypki area belongs to Pechersk. The area was named after the lime-tree grove, which was planted there in 1744 (in Ukrainian the word “Lipky” is used for little lime-trees). Mariyinsky Palace by Bartholomeo Rastrelli is the gem of the area. There’s also Klovsky Palace that was put up in 1756 for honorable guests of Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra and today contains the exposition of Kyiv History Museum. From 1833Lypki has been the administrative center of the Ukrainian capital: Ukrainian President Administration, Verkhovna Rada, National Bank, Government House and other important buildings are situated there. Such streets as Institutskaya, Shelkovichnaya, Luteranskaya and Bankovskaya are especially charming for walking.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 September 2010 13:18
Kyivo-Pechrska Lavra
Kyivo-Pechrska Lavra is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lavra was founded in 1015 as a cave monastery. In several years it became an important center of the Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe. In August 21, 2007 the Lavra was named among the Seven Wonders of Ukraine.
The jurisdiction over the site has been divided between the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historic-Cultural Preserve state museum and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as the residence of its leader, Metropolitan Volodymyr.
The Lavra is situated on the hilly right bank of the Dnypro River, which was, as the legend goes, blessed by Apostle Andrew. Kyivo-Pechrska Lavra contains numerous unique monuments, ranging from belltowers to underground cave systems and stone fortification walls. The main attractions of the Lavra include the Great Lavra Belltower and the Dormition Cathedral. Other churches and cathedrals of the Lavra include: the Refectory Church, the Church of All Saints, the Church of the Saviour at Berestove, the Church of the Exaltation of Cross, the Church of the Trinity, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, the Church of the Conception of St. Anne, and the Church of the Life-Giving Spring. The Lavra also contains many other constructions, including: the St. Nicholas Monastery, the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, and the Debosquette Wall.
The Lavra caverns are a brachiferous complex system of narrow underground corridors with numerous living quarters and underground chapels. The first of them was constructed in 1051 by the Reverend Anthony in one of the hills nearby Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. This cave grew and has become what we call the Far Caves. In 1057 Anthony moved to a cave near the Upper Lavra, known today as the Near Caves.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 September 2010 13:18
|
