"...I happen to feel sick at heart so much that I would take the first train to go there... to see the steeps covered with snow once more. Dnieper... There is no such a beautiful city like Kyiv."

Mikhail Bulgakov

This page is for those who are for a long time in love with this city and for those who just arrived here. For those who know much about and for those who don't know anything.

We are ready to discover this City more and more together with you.

We would like to plunge into an ancient legends and new history of Kyiv, to read one more time its memories and archive materials, to recall the activities of great Kievans and their creators.

There are a lot of wonderful places in the capital, which are not recognized by us in a daily fuss. Wait for a moment; listen to the music of the city. Inspire by its unique landscape, touch its luxurious beauty

We would like to propose you interesting excursions in Kyiv with those loving and knowing the city, with those for whom every street, every house of the capital - is a real history, undivided from current day.

In every city the tourists searches for something individual. Every city possesses its own tourist routes, cultural places and historical memorials.

Tourist who is going to visit Odesa plans to come to Deribasovska Street, Opera Theater, Primorskiy Boulevard, memorial to Duke de Richelieu, Potemkin ladder, sea port. When a person is leaving for Moscow he is going to visit Kremlin, church of Vasily Blazhenny, Historical museum, Red Square, Pushkin memorial, Arbat, Patriarshie Prudi and other interesting places.

They come to Paris in order to see the Louver, Eiffel tower, Triumphal arch, Notre Dam, Monmartr.

Rome for tourist is presented by the church of St.Peter, coliseum, Capitol Hill.

In Madrid one has to see Spanish Square, Grand via, fountain de Sibeless, Puerta dell Sol, Plasu Mayor, Prado Museum, King Palace, and to go out of the city to see the creature of Philip II - Escorial.

What can Kyiv offer for tourist? Everything it is wealthy in. Kyiv is wealthy in green gardens, good-looking hills, tremendous bridges, noisy and quite streets, old and new houses, historical memorials. As well Kyiv is wealthy in golden domes, definitely because this capital is baby-bed for Christianity.

It is possible to choose a lot of routes. But the first one that I propose is the following. It is better to start it from Left Bank. If of course you stopped at the Left bank, and if not then from metro Darnytsya to Leningrad square it is possible to reach and then pass Paton Bridge.

Contents

• History
• Kyiv princes
• Area of the city
• Population of Kyiv
• Climate
• Money and Currency
• Holidays
• Administrative division of Kyiv
• Status of the city
• Religion
• Education
• Industry
• Transport
• Culture and rest
• Kreschatik and Maydan Nezalejnosti
  • History of Kreschatik
  • History of Maydan Nezalejnosti (Independence Square)
• Podil
• Churches:
  • St. Volodymyr Cathedral
  • St. Sophia Cathedral
  • St. Michael's (Mikhailovskiy) Golden-Domed Cathedral
  • Cyril church
  • Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Monastery)
  • St. Nicolas roman-catholic Cathedral
  • Vydubichi Monastery
  • St. Andrew's Church
  • Pokrovskiy Roman Catholic cathedral
• Monuments:
  • Bohdan Khmelnitskiy monument
  • Kyi, Schek, Khoriv and Lybid (monument to the Founders of Kyiv on the Dnipro bank)
  • Taras Shevchenko monument
  • Mykhailo Hrushevskiy monument
  • Nikolay Schors monument
  • Pronya Prokopovna and Golohvastov monument
  • Monument to Panikovskiy
  • Nikolay Yakovchenko, the actor (Monument - Man with dog)
  • Panteleymon Cat
  • Saint Volodymyr monument
  • Princess Olga
  • Column of Independence
  • Samson fountain
  • Hohol "nose"
  • Yaroslav the Wise Monument
  • Mother-land
• Vladislav Horodetskiy, the architect
• National historical museum
• Eating out
• Taxi
• Mobile Operators
• Emergency Services
• Embassies of foreign countries in Ukraine
• International organizations in Ukraine

Archeological finds show that the settlements on the territory of Kyiv region already existed 15 000 - 20 000 years ago. For the period of Bronze Age the territories of South Western part have the typical belogurd culture. Period of eneolith (copper age) and neolith are presented by the Tripoli culture, memorials and periods of which are divided by the researchers into three stages: early (4500-3500 BC), average (3500-2750 BC) and late (2750-2000 BC).
Zarubinetska culture is typical for North-Western Kyiv region of the second part of 1000 BC.

Iron age on the territory of modern Kyiv and Kyiv region are presented by the Chernyakhiv archeological culture that is also called by “Kyiv culture” that existed on the border of II-III -IV-V centuries in forest steppe and steppe of Nyzne Podunav'ye in the West to the left bank of Dnipro and Chernihiv area on the East.
There is a legend that Kyiv has been found by three brothers Kiy, Schek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybed'. It is called in the name of the elder brother. According to the archeological excavations the first city settlement on the territory of Podil appeared earlier than 880 AC. According to general opinion Kyiv is the capital of Kyivan Rus from 882 AC. The earliest mentions about the city are found in the tractate “About management of the Empire” by Konstantin Bahryanorodny and in Kyiv letter written by the Jewish society proof that at the beginning of X century Kyiv was border castle of Khasaria on the border with Levedia (protohungarian formation on the territory of Ukraine). Konstantin gives the name to the castle “Sambat”. Results of some archeological finds give the basement to consider that already in VI-VII centuries settlements on the right bank of Dnipro can be considered as cities. This concept supported by the celebration of 1500 anniversary of Kyiv in 1982 was thought to be generally accepted. Hence on the contrary to “general conception” a part of the historians and archeologists consider that the foundation of Kyiv as the city took place on VIII-X centuries. Only at the end of this period separate settlements united into one settlement of city type.

Starting from 1654 (Pereyaslav Rada) Kyiv is in the content of Russian government comparing to the rest Left bank of Ukraine, Kyiv was returned by Poland preliminary, temporary, later to “Vechny Mir” of 1686 with Rzech Pospolita, in 1721 in the content of Russian Empire, center of Kyiv area. From April 1918 to April 1919 the capital of independent Ukraine (Central Rada, Hetmanshina of Skoropadskiy, Petlyura directory). At the same time in 1918 the capital of the Soviet USR was Kharkiv. In 1934 Kyiv became a capital of Ukrainian USR. During the Great Civil War Kyiv was occupied by the Germans from 19 September 1941 till 6 November 1943. In August-September 1941 there was one of the largest battles in the Kyiv region, known in the World history as battle for Kyiv 1941.
For heroism shown during the protective events Kyiv was awarded by the status of city-hero. From December 1991 Kyiv is the capital of Independent state Ukraine.

Kiy, Schek and Khoriv

Askold and Dir - 864-882

Oleg - 879-912

Igor Ryurikovitsch - 913-945

Olga (Kyiv princess) - 945-957

Svyatoslav I - 957-972

Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich - 972-978

Volodymyr I Svyatoslavovich (Volodymyr the Great) - 978-1015

Svyatopolk Okayanny - 1015-1016, 1018-1019

Yaroslav Mudriy - 1016-1018, 1019-1054

Izyaslav Yaroslavovich - 1054-1068, 1069-1073, 1077-1078

Vseslav Polotskiy - 1068-1069

Svyatoslav II Yaroslavovich - 1073-1076

Vsevolod Yaroslavovich - 1076-1077, 1078-1093

Svyatopol II Izyaslavovich - 1093-1113

Volodymyr Vsevolodich Monomakh - 1113-1125

Mstislav the Great - 1125-1132

Yaropolk II - 1132-1138

Vsevolod II - 1139-1146

Vyacherslav Volodymyrovich - 1146-1155

Izyaslav II Mstislavovich - 1146-1149, 1151-1154

Yuriy Dolgorukiy - 1149-1151, 1155-1157

Rostislav Mstislavovich - 1154-1155

Izyaslav Davidovich - 1157

Mstislav II Izyaslavovich - 1157 -1169

Total area of the city is 839 km².

Officially the population of the Ukrainian capital includes 2,6 million people but the real number rises 4 million of people.

Kyiv has a continental climate. The warmest months are summer months - June, July, and August, with average temperatures from 14 to 25°C. The coldest months are December, January, and February, with temperatures of ?5 to 0°C. Winter is usually snowy.

Hryvnia is Ukrainian national currency that is used in Kyiv.

January, 1 - New Year
January, 7 - Chrismas
March, 8- International Women Day
May 1,2 - Labour Day
May, 9 - Victory Day
June, 28 - Constitution Day
August, 24 - Independence Day

Kyiv consists of 10 districts that are separated by the Dnipro river

Right bank:
1. Shevchenko district - 200 000 citizens
2. Pechersk district - 170 000 citizens
3. Podil district - 210 000 citizens
4. Obolon district - 290 000 citizens
5. Svyatoshyn district - 360 000 citizens
6. Solom'yansk district - 280 000 citizens
7. Holosiiv district - 200 000 citizens

Left bank:
1. Desna district - 320 000 citizens
2. Dnipro district - 360 000 citizens
3. Darnytsia district - 250 000 citizens

In order to see the map of administrative division of Kyiv in English, please use the following link:
http://www.uaproperty.com/index.php?-M=page:About_U#kyiv

According to the article 133 of the Constitution of Ukraine the city of Kyiv has a special status determined by the Law of Ukraine “About capital of Ukraine - city-hero Kyiv” and is not submitted to regional power. According to the Law the head of Kyiv city state administration is automatically chosen as major. The major is chosen using direct votes.

Kyiv is a large industrial centre of Ukraine. The city represents almost all industrial fields starting from food industry and ending in aircraft construction.

Kyiv soon is going to divulge whole Kyiv region. More info can be read using the following link:
http://www.uaproperty.com/articles/Kyiv-divulge-whole-region.html

During the questioning held in November 2006 64% of Kyiv citizens called themselves believers, 9% determined themselves as believers into supernatural powers, 19% didn't determine their religious affinity, 8% - atheists.

If you wish to get to know more about different types of religions present in Kyiv and in Ukraine in general you can use the following link:
http://www.uaproperty.com/index.php?-M=page:About_U#religion

Starting from IX century Kyiv became an important center of intellectual development of Eastern Europe. Starting from XVII century, Kyivo-Mohylyanska academy and Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University prepared many famous scientists.

And today Kyiv is one of the largest scientific centers in Ukraine. There are a lot of schools, colleges, about 70 institutes of higher education, including National aviation university, National pedagogic university, Kyivo-Mohylyanska academy, National technical University of Ukraine, National academy of Science, Academy of agricultural sciences, Kyiv art academy.

Kyiv is a large industrial center of Ukraine. Almost all fields of economy are presented here, starting from food industry and ending in aircraft building.

The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including a Kiev Metro system.
Large transport net (railway and highways, sea port, international airport in Boryspil and airport of Zhulyany that carries out transfers inside the country).

Metro exists in Kyiv from 1960. It contains three branches, with total length of 56.5 km.

Working hours of metro: from 6:00 to 24:00 (00:00)
fare: 50 kopeykas (1/2 of hryvnya) per one trip to any destination.

If you want to get to know more about airport Boryspil, timetable or details of the airport please use the link below:
http://www.uaproperty.com/index.php?-M=page:About_U#kyiv_transport

Sometimes traffic jams are a real problem in Kyiv, as in many other mega cities. Hence city authorities try to improve this cituation:
http://www.uaproperty.com/articles/transport-Kyiv-traffic-jams.html

There are 27 Museums, 25 Theaters and theaters-studios (for instance National Taras Shevchenko' Opera Theater).

Kyiv is rich in culture and art memorials. The most important from them are Golden gates, Sophia cathedral (XI century), Vydubitskiy monastery (XI c.), complex of Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra (XI-XVIII c.), Mykhailivskiy Golden Domed Monastery, church of Spas on Brest (XII c.), Andreevska, Pokrovska, Troitska churches, Klovskiy and Mariinskiy palaces.

Forests, parks and gardens take more than half of this city. When you come here for the first time you predict to see only a large mega-city with crowded streets, permanent traffic-jams and terrible fuss. Definitely you will see a part of this, as you are in the capital -industrial, technical, economical and business center of the whole Ukraine. But at the same time you will feel as having rest somewhere in very green and fresh atmosphere of town suburbs, where great amount of trees, pleasant shadows and birds singing are everyday treasures. As well Kyiv possesses two beautiful Botanical gardens on its territory.

Kyiv is worthy called one of the greenest cities in the World (and recently it used to be the greenest). Outstanding Kyiv chestnuts that blossom fabulously in May became one of the city symbols.

Kreschatik is the main and the most important street of Kyiv. It crosses 3 Squares — among them is the main Square of the city - Maydan Nezalejnosti (Independence Square). During the free days car traffic is closed and the street is free for pedestrians. That is why many people prefer to go to this Square on week ends.

Several hundreds years ago a deep valley surrounded by dense forest was on this place. The valley was had a small stream flowing along it. This valley was called "Kreschatiy Yar" that is where the name of the street origins from. There was a road along the stream that leaded towards the Dnipro.

From the 18 century this road began to be building up and transformed into street. There were the accommodations of rich men and administrative building of Kyiv city authorities. In 1914 Kreshatik was fully built up by a large number of houses — mainly these were three storied buildings of stores, restaurants, bars, hotels, banks and offices. All business and administrative life of the city started to move to Kreschatik.

During the World War II Kreshatik almost became a total ruin, remained only the block of buildings near Bessarabian marketplace. In 1948 was approved the plan of Kreschatik renovation — new architectural group had been formed, the street was widen and from one side the chestnut tree terrace was created. Thanks to this Kreschatik is especially beautiful in spring when chestnuts are in blossom.

Up to the end of X century this place and the whole Kreschatik was the forest thicket. Later Lyadskie Gates appeared here— one of Kyiv gates that provided the way to the upper city.

First buildings appeared in Maidan in the middle of XIX century. On the square there was an open-air market, and circus performances were a usual scene here. In the 1876 town council was built on the square. In 1913 the monument to the tsar prime minister Stolypin on the square appeared on Maidan.

Soon after the October revolution in 1917 the monument was destroyed and the square was named after Kalinin.
During the World War II almost all buildings of the square were destroyed and damaged. Absolutely new buildings with new architecture, new façade were built. At the same time the Square was renamed as the Square of Great October Social Revolution.

After Ukraine became an independent and sovereign state in 1991 the main Square of the city was renamed into Independence Square. In 2001 the square was reconstructed one more time — instead of revolution monument the monument of Independence was placed — the girl in the Ukrainian national dress standing on high column — she is holding in hands snowball tree branch. Under the square currently trading center "Globus" (Globe) is located and if you want to purchase some dress-in-fashion you are welcome to come here.

Podil that lies along the bank of Dnipro River is one of the most ancient Kyiv districts. Several centuries ago it was an area for traders and craftsmen. Ships filled with different goods, pilgrims and travelers came to main city port, which was situated here. Nowadays Podil became one of the most prestige Kyiv districts where the Ukrainian property for sale reaches very high prices.

By the times of Kyivan Rus Podil was trading zone of Kyiv - handy-craftsman wards, main city port, harbor and custom house were situated there. Perhaps only here the streets with ancient Rus name are left - Schekavitskaya, Kojumyatskaya, Khorevaya, Borisoglebskaya, Degtyarnaya.

The starting point of Podil is Poshtova square. Here one can see a reconstructed church of Christ Birth. As well those wishing to ride a funicular have a wonderful chance to do it, as this special transport type is also located here.

From Pochtovaya square Sagaydachnogo street starts, with small houses and pleasant cherished yards.

Sagaydachnogo Street guides to Kontraktovaya Square -pearl of Podil. The Square obtained its name in XIX century when trading acts were conducted and contracts were made. The Square is divided into two parts by the building of Gostiniy Dvor.

It is interesting to know that soon a new special micro district is going to be built in Kyiv for the fans of EURO 2012.

You can read more about this fantastic contest that will take place in 2012 in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities right here:
http://www.uaproperty.com/articles/Ukraine-win-UEFA-Euro2012.html http://www.uaproperty.com/articles/New-micro-region-Kyiv.html http://www.uaproperty.com/articles/Football-Championship-EURO2012-Ukraine.html

St. Vladimir Cathedral was built in memory of Prince Vladimir who in 998 introduced Christianity to ancient Rus. Cathedral is built in ancient Byzantine style typical for Russian architecture. This was the style of ancient Russian churches in the times of Volodymyr the Saint (Volodymyr the Great). Cathedral interior was painted by such famous artists as Viktor Vasnetsov and Mikhail Vrubel.

St. Sofia Cathedral is a unique culture memorial that is the only church remained not destroyed while German occupation during the World War II. It was founded by Grand Duke of Kyiv Yaroslav the Wise. Now Sofia is in the list of UNESCO world heritage.

St. Michael's Cathedral was destroyed by the times of USSR in 1935 reconstructed in 90th after Ukraine obtained its independence. Inside cathedral there are unique mosaics and wall paintings.

Cyril Church was constructed at the end of XII century. You will be admired by beautiful interior with great amount of frescos.

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is Kyiv monastery complex, which is now present in UNESCO world heritage list. It was visited by more than 43 millions of tourists from different countries. This complex proposes churches, monasteries, far away and close caves.

This Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and mysterious buildings in Kyiv. It weas founded in XX century and designed in formalized gothic style with high arrow-shaped spires.

Vydubitskiy monastery it's a monastery complex situated on the picturesque banks of Dnipro in the Vydubich district.

There is a pretty legend that says that once in the place were now Dnieper is was the sea. But after St. Andrew entered Kyiv and put a cross on a hill were now St. Andrew Church stands, the sea went off and hid under that hill. Now St. Andrew Church has no bell cause according to the legend the water will come out of the hill and flood all Kyiv with the first strike of the bell.

Pokrovskiy Cathedral was founded by Princess Alexandra Petrovna, the wife of tsar's Alexandr II brother - grand duke Nikolay Nikolaevich. She created the Cathedral for poor woman who wanted to devote herself to God.

A monument to one of the most outstanding Hetmans of Ukraine who headed a war for freedom against polish oppression Bohdan Khmelnitskiy —stands on Sofievskaya Square. With his right hand Khmelnitskiy points in the direction of Moscow.

On the bank of Dnipro river one can see a large boat with four persons on it. A woman stands on the nose of the boat with her dress flying with the wind. She is Lybid. The other three men are her brothers - Kyi, Schek and Khoriv. These mythical persons are believed to be the founders of Kyiv city.

Taras Shevchenko is the greatest Ukrainian poet, writer and artist. His works are of great value not only in Ukraine but also beyond its borders. The monument to his honor is places in front of Kyiv National University that has poet's name in the title. It is due to the fact that Taras used to work here.

Hrushevsky was a famous politician and historian of XX century. In 1918 he became the first President of the Ukrainian republic. His statue is placed on the corner of Vladymirskaya St and Taras Shevchenko's boulevard. He brought a lot to the history and development of the city and people do remember him.

Nikolay Schors was a Soviet commander who served in the World War I and Russian Civil War. To his honor a 20 feet height statue made of bronze was place in one of the most famous districts of Kyiv - Shevchenko Boulevard. Before the revolution another monument was standing there. It was a statue of Duke Alexis Bobrinskiy who had the intension to unite Kyiv to the railway network in XIX century.

There is a brilliant movie about old Ukraine “Catching two hares at a time”. It is a funny story about poor hair maker who told to all Kyiv that he is a wealthy businessman in order to get married with ugly daughter of rich parents (Pronya). At the same time he is in love with poor but very beautiful girl Galyna. And with purpose to get rid of any problems with her mother he also proposed Galyna to get married. As a result everything revealed and he got nothing - nor wealthy, nor love. In the honor of this pretty story there is a monument to Svirid Golokhvastov (hair maker) proposing his arm and heart to Pronya.

Have you ever read books of Ilf and Petrov? If not, you should to. As their outstanding novel “Gold calf” will make you laugh for a long time. Kyiv people, as other Ukrainians, like to laugh. That is the answer why here inKyiv we have a monument to one of the bright character of this novel - Panikovskiy.

Fan-Fan... His beloved dog is at his feet. Here he is - one of the greatest comedian actors of the Ukrainian theater and movie. Now his monument is sitting on the bench... and right.. his lovely dog is with him.

Near the Golden Gates you can see a pretty cat. But it is not alive (hencem you can see many of live cats there..). This cat is made of bronze and he is sitting on the stone.

On the bank of Dnipro river you will see a great figure of a man holding a huge cross. This is the figure of great Kyiv prince - Saint Volodymyr or Volodymyr the Great. The statue erected on top of the iron-bent brick pedestal made in the shape of a chapel. He was the one who brought Christianity to the Kyiv Rus.

This monument stands on Mikhailovska Square just across the Michael Golden-domed Cathedral. There is a tall figure of Olga, first known female head of country, with educators St. Cyril and St. Methodius at her right hand and apostle St. Andrew at left one.

Coming to the Square of Independence you will see a girl standing on the top of marble column stands - symbol of the Ukrainian Independence. Girl is wearing national dress and holds the snowball tree branch.

The statue of Samson rending the lion stands inside the scenic rotunda in the corner of Kontraktova square.

Hohol is a famous Ukrainian writer who brought to the world an interesting story with weird name “Nose”. There is a legend that one pretty cold autumn day Nikolay Hohol was making a promenade along the streets of Kyiv, so he caught a cold. His thoughts were absolutely about his nose from that time. That is why his story has such a title.

At the time of Yaroslav the Wise was a ruler in Kyiv Rus it reached its fullest blossoming. The monument to his honor was created and placed in Kyiv.

«Mother-Land» — is monumental figure of woman which rises upon Dnipro bank hills. It can be seen from different spots of Kiev. It symbolizes the Independence and Protection of our motherhood, struggling against occupational attacks and so on.

He was a famous architect of XIX and early XX centuries and for some time lived in Kyiv. During those days he used to come to a pretty cafe, order a cup of delicious coffee and just sit and admire the world. Now the statue in his honor also sits in the same cafe admiring the world.

The museum shows all stages of Ukrainian history — from old ages nowadays. Items of everyday life of first Slavic settlers, weapons and armour of ancient Slavic nomads, Soviet epoch and even small exposition of Orange revolution.

Kyiv proposes a lot of restaurants, fast-foods, coffee and tea houses, bars and pubs, sushi bars, food delivery services, pizza houses.

Taxi 058 058 059 059

Avtosvit taxi 234-44-44

Allo Taxi 237-75-75

Bars Taxi 237-21-00

Taxi Bluze 269-30-00

Visit Taxi 451-74-47

VIPtaxi 237-30-37

Grand taxi 237-30-00

Euro taxi 249-40-40

Single Taxi Service 206-18-88

Kyiv Taxi 459-01-01

Leader 578-06-06

Lybid taxi 459-99-29

Mers takst 237-75-75

Prestige 241-82-41

Swift taxi 459-04-39

City taxi 537-35-35

Taxi twist 568-05-50

Pharaoh 237-51-11

Fortuna (Fortune) 249-63-43

Shanson 548-28-28

Express taxi 239-15-15

Elite taxi 238-82-38

Taxi Jaguar 237-70-70