Kiev old town
If you are looking for a place with kiev’s history and culture combined with a great place to find some traditional souvenirs, look no further than what locals call "the most charming street” - andrew descent. This short, steep, curvy, cobblestone road was originally created around the 10th-11th cc as a shortcut from kiev’s aristocratic upper town (old town) down the hill to the podol (ukr.-podil) district, birthplace of the city's trade, commerce, and industry. The street begins near st. Andrew church and winds down or "descends" to its terminus at contract square (ukr.-kontraktova ploshcha). For centuries, the passageway (at first it was not an actual road) was not inhabited because the steep slope made it too dangerous for construction. The first buildings along the road were erected in the 17th century and apartment buildings did not appear until the end of the 19th century. It is not very long – only 750 meters, but every house here has its own history. Actually, since the end of the 19th century many prominent figures of the ukrainian and russian science and culture lived in this densely populated street. Among the most attractive buildings is the gothic-style house "castle of richard the lion heart” built at the beginning of the 20th century by dmitry orlov. Down the road is the former home of famous russian writer mikhail bulgakov.
Andrew descent and kiev's montmartre
A visit to andrew descent is not complete without taking time to admire the creative works and crafts of the many street vendors and open art exhibitions that line the street. This open air bazaar, known as kiev's montmartre, offers a large selection of items such as paintings, decorative art, clothing, wood carvings, soviet-era paraphernalia, and of course the requisite “matrioshka” dolls. The descent includes several bars and coffee shops where you can sit and relax in a décor of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
