Sightseeing tours in Kiev

Kiev embankment is a favorite place for rest of Kiev residents and guests of the capital. After the recent reconstruction the Dnipro embankment has become a modern recreation area of European level and a new pedestrian zone, as well as a venue for celebrations, fairs and events. A picturesque view of the Dnipro river, Trukhaniv Island, a pedestrian bridge opens from the central embankment of Poshtova Square. The length of the embankment is 700 m, which makes it possible to walk along the historical part of Podil. Summer cafes and children’s attractions work along the promenade. Pleasure boats start sailing from here.

Khreshchatyk Street is the main street of Kyiv 1.3 km long, located between the European and Bessarabian squares, crossing the main square of the capital – Independence Square. In the times of Kyivan Rus part of Khreshchatyk (from the Independence Square to the European Square) was called Perevesyshche and was located outside of Kyiv. This area was covered with forest, in which local princes went hunting for small animals and birds with the help of “perevisiv” (nets). According to some researchers, the name “Khreshchatyk” came from the name of the area “Khreshchata Valley”. There is a version that at the end of the XVIII century the name “Khreshchatyk” had Naberezhno-Khreschatytska Street, which then began from the Khreshchatytski Gates, built at the site of the present Postal Square. The Khreshchatyk road passed from these gates to the present European Square. Active build-up of Khreshchatyk falls on the end of the XVIII – early XIX centuries. Firstly was built up the plot from the European Square to Prorizna Street. In 1837, the street was extended to Bessarabska Square, giving the name Khreschatytska Street. Since 1869 the name Khreshchatyk was fixed. Until the early 1940’s the street was built up mainly by 3 and 4-storey buildings, standing as a solid facade.

Poshtova Square is a link between the Upper Town, Pechersk and Podol. At this place there were the quays of ancient Kiev, whose place was later occupied by the River Station. The area of the square began to be occupied in the IVth century. It was called Khreshchatik (after the name of its origin) in the XVIIth – the first half of the XIXth century.

Historians believe that this is one of the oldest squares of the city, founded back in the days of the founding of Kievan Rus andit was one of the Kiev markets. The modern name is associated with the Postal Station, built here in the 50’s of the XIXth century. Initially, Poshtova Square was given one of the main roles. It was to become the most important transport road with a multi-level interchange to unload the highway in the direction of the Podolsk-Resurrection Bridge. There have been no capital buildings from the side of the Dnieper for a long time.

There were landing jetties of docks near the shore and there were folded forest, bags and other cargo next to it on the ground. At first, only cabmen and horse-drawn carriages arrived on the square at the entrance to Podol. In the 1890’s. the rails of the first Kiev tram lay on the Vladimirsky descent here. An important page in the history of Poshtova Square was the construction of a new River Station, ended in 1961. At that time, river transport was not only entertaining and walking, but also a highly sought-after means of transport – both intraurban and intercity.

Hospital fortification is a part of the architectural complex “Kiev Fortress”, it is a semi-underground construction. There are embrasures and loopholes, as well as guns that are represented on the perimeter of the caponier. The fortification was erected in 1844. It includes the defensive structure “Oblique caponier”, located at an angle to the earthen rampart of the fortress.

There is also the northern half-tower, the northern gate with a caponier, a military hospital with a tower, a caponier of 1-3 polygons in the hospital fortification. They all preserved to this day. It is considered to be the largest preserved stone-earth fortress in Europe and the second largest in the world.

St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral built in 1909 to commemorate the Emperor St. Nicholas’ II visit to Kyiv. Construction of a foundation for concrete piles was proposed for the first time and reinforced concrete was widely used in the construction.

In the 1930s it was closed and looted, and the clergy was repressed. Warehouses of goods were located in the building. The cathedral suffered greatly from artillery shelling and fire in 1943. Since 1980 the cathedral began to operate as a concert hall of the House of Organ and Chamber Music. The cathedral is unique for its acoustics and organ (it has up to 4 thousand pipes) and was custom made.

The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was founded in 1051 by St. Anthony, the Monk, settling in the caves of the future Pechersk Monastery. It is from the caves that the monastery takes its name. At the request of St. Antony, Izyaslav, the Prince gave the monastery the territory, which includes the whole mountain above the caves. In 1062 the monastery was called Pechersk. the territory of the monastery has begun to be built since the end of the XIth century.

It was in the walls of the Caves Monastery in 1113 that Nestor the Chronicler wrote “The Tale of Bygone Years” – the main source of modern knowledge about Kievan Rus. The monastery received the status of the monastery in 1688. The Lavra is an honorary title, which was given only to large and significant monasteries. The Kiev-Pechersk Monastery becomes a spiritual and cultural-enlightenment centre. The territory of the monastery includes Near and Far Caves. Today there are museums, unique shrines on the territory of Lavra, as well as there the relics of saints in the caves.

The St. Andrew’s Church built by the order of Elizabeth the Empress as part of the Kiev royal residence, consisting of the Mariinskyi Palace and the palace church in 1749–1754 in the Baroque style designed by F.-B. Rastrelli. The temple is built on a steep spur of the Ancient Kiev Plateau, which served as a pedestal for the construction of the church.

At this point, according to the chronicle “The Tale of Bygone Years”, in ancient times the mountain on which now the church stands was surrounded by the sea. Predicting the foundation of a large city, in the 1st century AD Andrew the First-Called the Apostle set a cross, and the water mysteriously retreated. According to a legend, now the church closes the underground sea, which can only be awakened by a bell ringing, triggering the second world flood.

That is why, the bell tower was not built in the St. Andrew’s Church. Since the XI century wooden and stone churches were built and destroyed in honor of Andrew the First-Called. Because of the location on the top of the hill, the groundwater erodes the base and causes landslides.

Kyiv Detynets is usually called “the City of Volodymyr” by historians named after Volodymyr the Great the Prince, who built it during his reign (970–988). Despite the archaeological excavations demonstrating the first settlements on the territory of Kyiv that were founded in the 6th century, Kyiv became the capital of the ancient state from the 8th-9th centuries.

During Volodymyr the Great reign, the settlement acquired the appearance of a fortified city surrounded by an earthen rampart and a moat with wooden fastenings, with entrance stone gates and occupied an area of 10–12 hectares. The Tithe Church, built in the period of Volodymyr Sviatoslavych reign in 989-996, was the compositional center of the city. In the following centuries the fortifications of the Detynets were renewed in the period of Yaroslav the Wise reign (the protected area of the city was expanded to 70 hectares, the Golden Gate was built).

Then in the 17th century in the period of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi reign and in the 18th century in the period of H.Minich, the Russian General-Field Marshal. The subsequent rapid development of the construction of Kiev erased from the face of the earth the remains of ancient trees and the very Detynets. The Tithe Church, the main stone structure, was destroyed as early as 1240 by the hordes of Khan Batu.

Its investigations have been conducted since the time of Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi by Petro Mohyla, the Metropolitan, and they have been conducted to the present day. The Tithe Church was restored in 1842 and it looked pompously. It was destroyed in 1930 by the Soviet power. The ruins of the Tithe Church are included in the complex of ancient buildings of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.

The Monument to Motherland was opened in 1981 on the Victory Day and it is included in ten highest statues in the world, whose height is 102 m. The construction from stainless steel is all-welded weighing 450 t. The statue symbolizes the feminine principle, the strength of the spirit of the Ukrainian people and it was established on the slopes of the Dnieper so that it can be seen even in remote areas of Kiev. There are two elevators and observation platforms, with an impressive view of the city in the monument.

One site is located at the feet of the statue at a height of 36 m (the height of a 12-storey building), the other – at a height of 91 m (from the back of the shield above the fingers of the left hand of the sculpture). Today it is the largest sculpture in Ukraine, and it is included in the “Guinness World Records Book of Ukraine”. The Museum of Ukraine in World War II is locted at the foot of the monument.

Kontraktovaya Square is the central square of the Lower city, the main bargain of ancient Kiev was located on the site of it. Since the XIIIth century the market is represented on the site of the modern Kontraktovaya Square, but according to the decree of Paul the Russian Emperor in Kiev, annual contract fairs begin to take place at the end of the XVIIIth century, hence the name of the square. In 1494 Kiev got the right to have a city government, and then the area turns into an administrative center.

There is the Magistrate (it has not survived until now) and the square aquires the named of Magistratskaya. The well-fountain called Samson was built in 1748–1749. The main building of the Kontraktovaya Square is Gostiny Dvor (under reconstruction). The building, built in 1809, served as a shopping center here, even in the XIX century. There were more than 50 stores. The Kontraktovyi Dom (built in 1817) is located next to it is. The landlords and noblemen gathered here, commercial deals were concluded, ballets from Madrid and Warsaw, writers Pushkin and Balzac came here with tours.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Pirogoscha (Kontraktova Square No. 1) is considered to be one of the most ancient shrines in Kiev. Its interior decoration is described in “The Lay of Igor’s Host”, the walls are decorated with frescoes, the floor – with mosaic slabs. The temple was built in 1132–1136 by Mstislav and Yaropolk the Princes, the sons of Vladimir Monomakh.

St. Michael’s Golden-domed Cathedral is the oldest and greatest Orthodox shrine of Kiev, founded by the grandson of Yaroslav the Wise, Sviatopolk Iziaslavovych the Prince on the territory of the Dmitriivskyi Monastery according to the chronicle in 1108 and it is dedicated to Michael the Archangel the heavenly patron.

The name “Zlatoverkhyi” was granted due to the fact that it was the first cathedral with gilded domes made of solid gold leaf. After the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra St. Michael’s Golden-domed Cathedral becomes the second place in Kiev for pilgrimage. It contained the remains of several generations of Kiev princes. The most famous shrine of the monastery was the relics of St. Barbara the Great Martyr brought by the wife of Sviatopolk the Prince. In 1240 the monastery was looted by the horde of Khan Batu.

In 1713 a refectory church was built, in 1716-1720 the stone bell tower was built. Also, there was a real hotel complex that served the pilgrims on the territory of the Mykhailovskyi Monastery in the 19th century. With the advent of Soviet authorities in 1937, St. Michael’s Golden-domed Cathedral was blown up. In 2000, it was restored

The St. Sophia’s Cathedral is the greatest architectural structure, built by Yaroslav the Wise the Grand Prince in 1037. It preserved until now not only the richness of ancient architecture, but also the picturesque decoration of the 11th century, mainly mosaics and frescoes. Religious and state ideas of that time were embodied in the artistic image of Sophia of Kiev. The ensemble of mosaics is decorated with the main altar of the St. Sofia’s Temple.

Entering the Cathedral, the glance is captured by the majestic figure of the praying Virgin of Oranta (Divine Wisdom), located in the vault of the altar. Frescoes of St. Sophia’s Cathedral are an interesting source of information about the life of the prince’s court and that way of life. They are the only preserved collection of paintings from the period of Kievan Rus. There are graffiti, i.e. ancient Russian inscriptions, which are the most important document of the dating of murals, on the walls of the cathedral.

Apparently, the central part of the building works was performed in the 40’s, and in the galleries – in the 60s of the 11th century. Along with the famous ensembles of Ravenna, Venice, Montreal, Daphne, Palermo, ancient Constantinople, they occupy a prominent place in the treasury of world culture. St. Sophia Cathedral is included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The Shevchenko Park – it was founded in the 1860’s on the vacant lot in front of the university building and it was named a University park. The work was conducted by Karl Christiani, the Kyiv city architect and gardener. In 1869 there was erected a monument to Nicholas I in the center of the park, and the park itself was renamed to Nicholaevskyi.

In 1939, there was a monument to Taras Shevchenko on the site of the monument to Nicholas I in the center of the park. The park began to bear the name of T. Shevchenko. In 1972, an environmental status was given to the park. Street musicians perform here, and in the summer there are dances held. There is a restaurant on the territory of the park. Although the park is small, but it is a favorite place for Kievans and guests of the capital.

The Golden Gate is a symbol of Kiev, the oldest defence structure of Kievan Rus that survived until now. It is the main gate of ancient Kiev. It was built by the decree of Yaroslav the Wise in 1037. The height of the defensive fortifications of the city of Yaroslav with fences reached a total of 16 m, a width is 20 m, and at the bottom with slopes – up to 27 m.

According to estimates, to build a 3.5 km strip of fortifications it was necessary about 50 thousand m3 of oak wood, it is about 630 thousand m3 of land; more than 1,000 people had been working continuously for four years. The timing of these works could be more concise, taking into account the fact that after the rout and probably capture of the Pechenegs, Yaroslav could have at his disposal a lot of cheap labour.

It is reported in the chronicle that Blagoveshchenskaya Gate Church was built above the Golden Gate, protected from the sides of the gate with battlegrounds with stone loopholes. Until now, the fragments of the rugs made in the masonry technique of the 11th century have been preserved. These are traces of fortification structures that appeared after the deformation of the walls and arches after attempts of storm.

In the period of Kievan Rus Andriivsky Descent was the shortest route to get from the Upper City to the Lower city. The street acquired its name in honor of St. Andrew the First-Called. Rising on a steep descent merchants lost the goods, which fell from the wagons, and since then the saying had appeared: “There is no use crying over spilt milk”.

People also call the descent the capital’s street of red lanterns. The most significant development of the Andriivsky Descent was conducted at the turn of the XIX–XX century. The well-known personalities – scientists, artists, writers, sculptors, composers began to settle on the street. This descent is one of the favorite places for the guests of the capital and the Kievans.

The National Bank of Ukraine is a building at the Instytutska, 9, which was made in the Venetian style, one of the most beautiful buildings of the city and preserved to this day. At the place of the National Bank was previously the Office of the State Commercial Bank, built in 1839.

The current building of the NBU was erected in the period of 1902-1905. The lining of the house is made by the famous Italian sculptor Elio Sal. He also performed artworks inside the bank. The uniqueness of the construction of the NBU building lie in equipping with modern technologies at that time: central steam heating, electric lighting, a double ventilation system with a capacity of 18 horsepower. In the period of1933-1934 the building was constructed 2 more floors.

During the Soviet era, the bank housed by the Ukrainian Republican Office of the State Bank of the USSR and the City Office of the State Bank of the USSR. So far, the emblems of the Kyiv, Podil and Volyn provinces have been preserved, the Archangel Michael with a raised sword is depicted on the Kyiv coat of arms. The facade of the building of the National Bank of Ukraine is made in the style of the early Florentine Renaissance and the North-Italian Gothic.

The House with Chimaeras – shrouded in legends and myths, was built in the period of 1902-1903 by the famous architect Gorodetsky and it is his best creation. This was the first house in Kyiv, which was built from expensive cement at that time.

For erecting a house with chimaeras, Gorodetsky bought a site-a cliff on the bank of a drained bog, forbidden to construction by the authorities. That’s why from the side of Bankova mansion has 3 floors, and from the other side – 6. The facade of the building is decorated with figures of unusual creatures: dolphins and sea reptiles, crocodiles and lizards, huge frogs and heads of rhinoceroses, and other animals. Initially, the house was built, as profitable. One floor was occupied by Gorodetsky himself.

And near the house there was an alpine hill with a fountain and a small garden. The interior decoration of the mansion is also rich in mouldings, paintings, which depicts the underwater world. Between the 4th and 5th floors on the stairs installed an electric lamp in the form of a giant catfish. In 1912 Gorodetsky laid his mansion and could not return it.

The Mariinsky Palace is one of the most famous palaces of the capital, which was built in the Baroque style. The construction of the palace falls on 1744-1752. The palace project was designed by the famous architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, and the architect Ivan Michurin. Earlier it was called as Tsar’s Palace. Empress Elizabeth Petrivna, on whose order the palace was erected, never had time to visit it.

The first tsarist person, who received in 1787 an ambassador from Venezuela, Francisco Miranda in it, was Catherine II. A special feature of the palace is a beautiful parquet floor made of valuable tree species. During the World War I, Empress Maria Fedorivna supervised the accommodation of wounded soldiers, placing them in the palace. Here in the palace she learned about the abdication of her son Nicholas II. Today the palace is the ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine. The Mariinsky Palace is closed for tourists.

Bessarabska Square – located at the intersection of Khreshchatyk, Shevchenko Boulevard, Basseyna and Velyka Vasylkivska Streets. It has been originated at the turn of the XVIII-XIX centuries as a horse post station, next to which a spontaneous bazaar was soon formed. This area was the outskirts of Kyiv until the middle of the XIX century.

Earlier at this site there was a Lutheran cemetery (XVI – the beginning of the XVIII centuries), which was moved in connection with the development of Khreshchatyk. Near the square was a swimming pool with underground springs. Its current name the square bears since 1881. It housed one of the largest markets of the capital. The city authorities decided to build a covered market in order to ennoble the trading territory. The opening of the Bessarabska market took place in 1912. It was the first indoor market in Kyiv and the main object of the square.

A special feature of the construction is steel structures with lanterns supporting the roof, and the facade of the building is decorated with stucco and clockwork. The Bessarabska market has been fully preserved to the present day. Today Bessarabska Square is one of the central squares of the capital.

Independence Square is the central square of the capital and the main square of the country’s significant events. This area is known even before the X century and was called “Perevesyshche”, representing a dense marshy thickets. By the end of the XVIII century at the place of the square was a wasteland, and the place itself popularly was called the “Goat’s Marsh”.

The area was formed as a square in the 1830s, and was named Khreshchatytska after the Khreshchatyi tract. The area was cleared, the first wooden houses were erected. On the square there was a constantly functioning bazaar, there were held folk festivals. In 1876, on the square was built State Duma, after which the square was called the Dumska. The modern development of the square is formed by the buildings of the 1950s – 1970s. The square was repeatedly reconstructed and renamed.

In 2001 the capital reconstruction of the square was carried out. Monuments, sculptures, fountains appeared, and in the centre of the square there is a column in the form of a female figure with a branch in hands symbolizing the independence of Ukraine. On the square are Glavpochtamt(General Post Office), the Council of Trade Unions, the Conservatory, the Hotel “Ukraine” and others.

“Arena City” mall is a premium shopping complex, one of the most pompous buildings located on the corner of Basseyna and Velyka Vasylkivska streets. The corner of the house №1 on V. Vasylkivska was built in 1896, in the period of 1899-1900 – part of the complex from the side of Bessarabska Square and Basseyna Street, 2, and in 1900-1901 – part of the building along the street Velyka Vasylkivska , 3. These three parts are so similar in design that they are perceived as one large building.

All buildings are the work of a well-known architect A.Krauss. Originally, the building belonged to the commercial adviser and the owner of dozens of houses in the centre of Kyiv – Mykola Popov, who earned a lot of money from rent. On the first floors there were shops and coffee shops, on the upper floors – expensive furnished rooms, first class hotels “Orion” and “Berlin”. Since the 1920’s here housed a working clinic named after Lenin, and in the 1930s and also student dormitories and apartments of workers of the “Lenin Forge”.

In the post-war years, the building was a city hospital. In the 1980s institutions and tenants are evicted from the building, returning the building to a commercial purpose. After reconstruction in 2005 complex was decorated with stucco, panoramic elevators, attics, fountains, the tower system dominates. Today here locate exhibitions, offices, restaurants and clubs – Pinchuk Art Centre, Skybar, Arena Dance Club and Mandarin Plaza.