The capital of Ukraine invites you!

The capital of  Ukraine is KIEV, that is the traditional spelling of the Ukrainian capital. But you can come across a different spelling – KYIV  that was introduced after  the newly-independent Ukraine declared Ukrainian is the official language in 1991 and in accordance with the Ukrainian orthography and pronunciation since 1995 all official documents use this version. We propose you the spelling of the private and geographical names in generally accepted spelling that will help you to find more information in the world universal websites.

 Kiev  is a gateway to Ukraine and it is still the easiest city to travel to the country. As the capital and the largest city, it usually grants visitors their first impressions of Ukraine. The simple fact remains that there is an amazing amount to see and to do in this city. Without any exaggeration, it is one of    the most majestic and greenest cities ofEurope. Its geographical location adds more to its beauty – the city was built on a series of steep wooden hills that rise above the wide channel of the slow-movingDnieperRiver  ( Ukr.- Dnipro)  The city spreads  about50 kmfrom North to South along the river that divides its territory  into two parts:  old city on the Right Bank and new city on the Left Bank.

Archaeological excavations show evidence of the first settlements on the territoryof Kievdating from 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. As a fortified stronghold it was known on the verge of the 5^th-6^th cc and as a city it was mentioned in the chronicles since852. In 988Kiev princeVladimir (Ukr.-Volodymyr) introduced Christianity to his country. FromKiev began the Russian Christianity and the Orthodox culture in the biggest Slavic state Kievan Rus..

Within its long history the city was for several periods the capital of an Eastern Slavic tribe “poliany”, the capital of Kiev principality and capital of the  mighty  Kievan Rus State. Kievwas the largest town in the 11^th century Europe, fifty times the size ofLondon, ten times the size ofParis. It reached the height of its prominence under the rule of Yaroslav the Wise (1010-1054, Ukr.-Yaroslav Mudryi), who had family connections to the royal houses ofFrance,Norway,Hungary, andPoland. Few people know that the founder of Moscow Prince Yuryi Dolgorukyi was born inKiev (1090). He was the  great grand son of Prince Yaroslav the Wise and the 26-nd Russian ruler from the Rurikovich dynasty. One can see his ancestral burial vault at theHolySaviourChurch near Kiev Lavra Monastery.

The period from the 12^th to the 16^th century was the time of  devastations by Tartar-Mongols, constant attacks of the Turks,  oppressive domination of Lithuanians and Poles, peasant and Cossack  uprisings. Since 1648 part ofUkraine includingKiev became part of Russian Empire and since 1708  the city was the main  city of Kiev “gubernia” (state principal administrative subdivision of Russian territories). For a short time it was the capital of theUkrainianPeoplesRepublic (7/11/1917 – 23/04/1918).  It was time of  bloody civil war and foreign intervention. In 1917-1919 Kiev outlived 15 changes of power. In 1919Kharkov (480 km to the East fromKiev) was proclaimed as a capital of Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic that  in 1922 signed  the document about formation of theUSSR. And only in 1934 Kyiv returned its status as a capital.

2 years of the Nazi occupation  of the city resulted in  big human, industrial, housing and cultural losses. Baby Yar tragedy that  became a symbol of Holocaust is known to many people of the world. WhenKievwas liberated in November 1943 half of the city was in ruins. In the early 60-ies  the city recovered and  to-day the wild scale renovations continue making the city skylines more impressive every year.

Like any other capitalKiev  attracts funds and people, here one can find all main joint ventures, foreign banks and offices of Ukrainian business elite. The population is steadily growing and in January 2014 it reached almost 3 mln, though the city officials declare than practically about 4 mln people  stay in the city every day. Embassies and Consulates of more than 100 countries are located in Kiev.

No wonder thatKievattracts tourists from all over the world, citizens from about 70 countries do not need visa to enter the country or can get visa with simplified procedure. Every year the number of tourists grow, all European Capitals have direct flight connection with the city, more and more comfortable hotels can accommodate the guests. TRIP ADVISER in 2012 ranked  Kievthe first inEuropeand the third  in the world among the most attractive and recommended destinations.  Kievis well known for its friendly atmosphere,  people here  are very tolerant to all races, nationalities, representatives of different religions and ideas. One can  follow own religious rites at Ukrainian Orthodox churches, Old Believers Church, Roman Catholic Cathedrals,  Greek Catholic Churches, Baptist Centres, Mosque and Synagogues.  Our guests will be impressed  byKievmajestic monuments of the past, our numerous museums and relaxing beauty of our  parks and gardens. The gourmets will appraise its restaurants that  propose Ukrainian, European, Russian, Italian, French, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Irish, American, Georgian, Uzbek, Jewish, Mediterranean, Indian cuisine.  Since 1995 Archangel Michael, religious patron ofKievis depicted on the city  coat-of-arms, non-official symbol is a leaf of a horse chest-nut, these trees  grow everywhere in the city and their white and pink flowers in mat add more beauty to the city. Since March 2012 the city  got its tourist logo: blue drop- symbol of the Dnieper, green chestnut – symbol of Kiev parks, golden dome – cathedrals and churches, red heart symbolizes Kiev as a city full of goodwill and love.

The main  tourist  attractions of Kiev

(clique the bold words and you’ll get more information) 

• Old Kiev Hill where Kiev's first fortress was built and now one can see the remnants of the foundations of its first constructions. The Monument to Prince Vladimir who introduced Christianity in Kievan Rus in 988 overlooks theDnieper river. 
• Golden Domed St. Michael Monastery (XII c, functioning).
• Andrew Descent - a thousand years old street connecting in the days of Kiev Rus  the Upper part of Kiev with the Lower one. Today the Descent is under the renovation and is stylized in the 19th century spirit. Now it is the Montmartre of Kiev filled with the art shops and exhibits, cafes. The street is full of beauty and charm. This is a traditional place for concerts, festivals, art exhibits, Days ofKiev  Festivals. 
• St. Andrew church - the real pearl of Ukrainian and Russian architecture, was built in 1754 by B. Rastrelli in baroque style, it sprang up on the place where Apostle Andrew overshadowed for the first time this land with the Holy Cross, and it was the place where Christianity began to spread among theEastern Slavs.
• Monument to Hetman Bogdan Chmelnitskyi – national hero, the leader of Ukrainian Cossacks (XVII c)
• The Golden Gate (erected in the 11^th century, reconstructed in 1982) and Monument to Prince Yaroslav the Wise.
• St. Sophia Cathdedral (11^th c) - it not only a national treasure ofUkraine - it belongs to all Christian world and is under the protection of UNESCO.
• Opera House (beg. of 20^th c) – recommended  to visit its opera or ballet performance.
• St. Vladimir Cathedral - of great artistic value built in1882 in neo-Byzantine style. Famous painters Vasnetsov, Nesterov, Vrubel and Pimonenko worked here. It is a genuine pleasure to hear the psalms sung by the Cathedral Choir. This is the Seat of the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate (services are daily at 9 AM and 6 PM). 
• Impressive building of  Kiev National University facing the Monument to great Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861).
• Olympic Stadium (reconstructed for 2012 European football championship).
• Main streetof the city Khreschatik, everybody who visits Kiev for sure walks along this thoroughfare, admiring its architecture, fountains, greenery and blossoms of the famous Kiev chestnut trees. The road was one ofKiev's very first ones. During World War II, the Soviets officials  mined  most of the street so that it would blow up after the Nazis had entered the city. Everything you see today has been rebuilt; people may criticize the pomp of post-war Stalinist architecture, but these monumental structures defineKiev today.
• At the end of he main street  the  traditional   Ukrainian  - Bessarabian food market  (Ukr.- Bessarabskyi rynok) should be a part of the travel experience. Here you  can wander among the flower-sellers and farmers from the countryside selling their homegrown vegetables and fruits. Taste  honey or cream on your knuckle, enjoy bargaining the prices with smiling tradeswomen.
• Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) – this name is now well known in  the world because it became a symbol of the struggle for democracy and human dignity in 2004 and 2014.  
• Not far from this place a steep  leads to the political centre of the country where can see the-  buildings of Ukrainian Parliament (Supreme Rada), of Ukrainian Government, of National Bank and the Office of the President of Ukraine.  
• The Mariinskyi Palace (former Tsar's Palace, built in XVIII c. by Bartolomeo Rastrelli (at present the palace is under renovation).
• House of Chimeras is located on a hillside across the street from the Presidential office in the historic Lipki quarter, a fantastic Art Nouveau building was constructed in 1901-1903  by legendaryKiev architect of Polish origin  V. Gorodetskyi.  
• The deepest in the world underground Arsenalnaia Metro Station.
• The monument to Unknown Soldier in the Park ofEternal Glory.
• Monument to the legendary founders of Kiev in one of the parks along the embankment.
• The architectural ensemble of  the 18^th-19^th cc in the oldest section of the city  Podol .
• Impressive Statue of Motherland over the Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945, WWII).

KIEV  MUSEUMS (the most knowns)

A “must see” visit  to be done to Kiev Pechersk (Cave) Assumption Monastery.  Founded in 1051 by the monks Antonyi and Feodosyi it became the centre for the expansion and consolidation of Christianity in Kievan Rus. In the late 16^th  c. it was designated a title of “Lavra” (the term used by the Orthodox Church for the largest autonomous monasteries). Pechersk Lavra was  the most famous monasteries in historicalKievRusState and the former Russian Empire. Being a site of pilgrimage for the Orthodox Christians throughout Europe, for centuries it was an Orthodox Christianity's "Rome". The architectural ensemble attained completion in the mid-18th century. The majority of the structures where built in the Ukrainian Baroque style. This functioning monastery consists of numerous churches, towers, and caves with ancient crypts and ecclesiastical objects. In 1990 the site was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Visiting the monastery do not miss  the Museum of Historical Treasures with the richest exhibition of Scythian gold dating from the second half of the 4^th  century B.C. It reveals the aesthetic ideals and mentality of the tribes and peoples who lived in this land. The collection of the 16^th- 20^th  centuries Ukrainian jewellery are most interesting. One of the most fascinating possessions of the Museum is a collection of the Judaic ritual silver objects (18^th -20^th th centuries).

You can also visit when strolling the monastery the National   Folk Decorative art Museum  and the Museum of Microminiatures or visit the near-by Ivan Gonchar  Museum – Ukrainian Centre of Folk Arts.

One of the oldest Kievarchitectural monuments is St. Cyril Church  with authentic architecture and frescoes dating back to 1140. It is not so often visited by the tourists because it is located  not in  the centre of the city, but if you are interested in the history, arts and architecture you will find this Church to be a  real  “pearl”.

Art lovers will enjoy numerous Kyiv museums such as:  National Museum of Russian  Arts,  Bogdan and Varvara Khanenko Museum (Western and Oriental arts), National Museum of Fine Arts of Ukraine,   Museum of Spiritual Treasures of Ukraine, Museum of Modern Art, Pinchuk Art Centre as well as many other galleries and small private exhibitions in  Andrew Descent (Ukr.-Andriyvskyi  Uzviz).  

More about the past and the present day of the country and the city   one can learn at the National Museum of History of Ukraine, Museum of Hetmanship, National Museum “The Fortress of Kyiv”, “One Street” Museum  and Museum of Kiev History.

For literature lovers are the “must visits” to the  Mikhail Bulgakov  Museum and Taras Shevcheno Museum,  a visit to the Sholom Aleichem  Museum can be part of the “Jewish Heritage in Kiev” tour.

About the tragic periods  in the life of the city one can learn at the Museum of Great Patriotic War (1941-1945, WWII) , Chernobyl Museum and Golodomor Museum (The National Museum "Memorial in Commemoration of Famines' Victims in Ukraine). A visit to “Babyi Yar “memorial complex  is a part of the “Jewish Heritage tour” or can be arranged  additionally to the general city tour ofKiev.

We are sure that many people will be interested in the Museum of Sports Glory of Ukraine

Rather unusual museums appeared in Kievnot so long ago: Water Museum ( Water Information Centre) and  Toilet History Museum – full of fun and information.

Two outdoor museums will acquaint the visitors with the folk traditions, customs and Ukrainian village architecture: Cossack’s Settlement Mamajeva Sloboda and Open Air “Pirogovo” Folk Architecture and Life Museum. .  

Day trips out of Kievcan be organized to Chernobyl Zone, to Chernihiv, Kanev, Uman, Zhitomir, Berdichev and Pereyaslav-Khmelnitskyi.

And do not miss a short boat trip along the Dnieper, it will give you not only some rest after exploring the city but you will get  another perspective of Kiev and perfect views for your photos.

The wise say that the importance of  a city is determined not only by the variety of its architectural and historical monuments, but also by the number of great minds it has given the world. In this sense Kyiv is a real treasure since it was the birthplace of many individuals who have played an important role in international politics, history, science, art and culture.

Only some names of famous and notable “Kievans”:

• artist Kazimir Malevich (1878-1935), founder of his own artistic style called Suprematism, creator of  the world-famous ”Black Square” was born in the Polish family at the outskirts of  the city.
• InSainte-Geneviève-des-BoisCemeterynearParisone can find a grave stone with only 4 words: «Serge Lifar de Kiev» 1904-1986. This ballet genious was the President of the UNESCO International Dance  Council and chevalier of the Legion of Honour. All his life he proudly called himself “Ukrainian”. In his  honour  the prestigious Serge Lifar International Ballet Festival is held in Kiev  every year.
• Another “God of Dance” Vaslav Nijinskyi (1889-1950) is a  Kievan born in a Polish family. His performing career as a dancer and choreographer was full of scandalous fame, sensations and legends. He was cited as  the greatest male dancer of the early 20^th  century.  His tombstone in MontmartreCemeteryinPariswas donated by Serge Lifar and shows Nijinsky in character  as a Russian puppet  jester  “Petrushka”, this role  made a violent uproar of a public.
• At the National Inventors Hall of Fame in theUSA, near the names of leg­endary inventors like Edison, the Wright Brothers and Pasteur, the name of anotherKievnative,  the creator of Helicopter and  founder of one of the  biggest  aircraft corporation Igor Sikorskyi  (1889- 1972), is engraved in golden letters. He is one of only two people to ever be awarded the John Fritz medal for scientific and  technical achievements in the field of fundamental and applied sciences.
• Golda Meir (1898-1978), a brilliant and extraordinary woman, the “Founding Mother of Israel”, the first Israeli Ambassador to theUSSR(1948), the Minister of Labour, Foreign Minister and the forth Prime Minister (1969-1974), the first “Iron Lady”, was born near Bessarabskyi market inKiev.
• Another notable Israeli politician Ephraim Katzir (1916-2009) was also born inKiev. He was not only the forth President of the country (1973-1978) but a world-renowned biochemist and physicist,  decipher of the genetic code and enzyme engineering, polymer researcher. For his achievements in organic chemistry and biochemistry he was awarded with Weizmann and Rothschild Prizes, laureate  of the Japanand  National Israeli Prizes.  He was member ofUSAandIsraeliAcademyof Sciences,  For his last years he worked  at Weizmann Institute of Science   and was the chief scientist for the Israeli Defense Ministry.
•  Vladimir Horowitz (1903-1989) is widely considered to be one of the greatest concert pianists of all time. His  technique, use of tone colour and the excitement of his playing were considered legendary.
• “There is only one place that I love more of all and that is like none other in the world, it isKiev” – wrote Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940),  Russian journalist, playwright, novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his novel “The Master and Margarita” , which has been considered a major Russianovel and  one of the world masterpieces of the 20^th century. Foe many years in Stalin’s times his fiction remained unpublished.
• In addition to many historical figures this list includes Milla Jovovich  (1975), supermodel, fashion-designer, singer, movie star and public figure. She started her carrier as an actress at the age of  9, since the age of 11 she was on the cover of more than 100 glance magazines. First   recognition came in Zalman King’s film “Two Moon Junction” when she was 13, but real fame came with Luc Besson’s films “The Fifth Element “ and “Joan of Arc”.

This is not a complete list of all Kiev attractions, contact us and we’ll give you more information. And  keep in mind that “What we see - we believe”. Come to Kiev, learn more and you will never forget this city.