Sights of Kiev

On this page we suggest you to make virtual excursion round on ancient city.

Page 1 2 3 ::: Podil, Pechersk, Others.

Podil. Podil rather differs from Kreshatik, built up by mainly with massive heavy buildings of a Stalin epoch. Walk along, with ancient Podil streets will give you representation about a life in old Kiev posade. From Andreevskiy descent go one quarter directly up to Peter Sagajdachniy's street. From here it is possible to reach to Kreschatik by feet or by the underground from station " Poshtova ploscha ", or by the bus № 62.

Walk along the Sagajdachniy str. up to the extensive Counterassembly (Kontraktova) square. On the square at the left you will see Gostinyj court yard (the Counterassembly square 4). Where some shops and cafe are now located. It is constructed in 1809 under the project of architect A.I.Ruska. The northwest part of it has fountain "Samson " built in 1749 by the well-known Ukrainian architect I.G.Grigorovichem-Barskim. Many legends are connected to this fountain. According to one of them - the one who will get drunk " samsonov`sj water", will live in Kiev. In a building to the address the Counterassembly square, 1 is the Counterassembly house which has named all area. It has been constructed in 1817 as a place for the conclusion of commercial transactions.

From the Counterassembly square the street Ilinskaja begins. Go on it aside Dnepr, and in three quarters, on crossing with street Pochajninskoj, you will see Ilinskaja church. It has been constructed in 1692 on a place of the wooden church first in Russia in which ambassadors of prince Igor have brought an oath at the conclusion of the world with Greeks. Ilinskaja church - a graceful one-dome construction. A belltower with tent top and a gate have been completed in 18 century. The address: Pochajninskaja str. 2, ph. 416-23-68. Services correct on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at 8.00, 10.00 and 17.00. Target Monday.

Return on the Counterassembly square. From here go along the street Mezhigorskaja ywo quarters up to street Spasskaja . A rectangular building along the Spasskaja str, 2 former Kiev academy, the first higher school in Ukraine and in all East Europe. Based in 1632 under vaults of nowadays not existing Brotherly monastery, in the beginning she referred to Kievo-Mogiljanskaja board as an oustanding role in its basis the Kiev archimandrite has played, and then metropolitan Peter Mogila. Then, in 1701, Peter I has transformed board to academy which soon became one of the largest and prestigious higher educational institutions in all the slavic world. In the Kiev academy, among many other oustanding scientists, culture and policies, studied in M.Lomonosov, G.Skovoroda, I.Grigorovich-Barsky, A.Miloradovich. Now in a building of academy there is a university " Kievo-Mogiljanskaja academy ".

Continuing to go along Mezhigorskaja str, you will come to street Shchekavitskaja where in house № 29 there is one of two working Kiev synagogues. Ph. 416-24-42.

Return to Mezhigorskaja str. and then turn to the right, to Horevaja str.. Go on it one quarter before its crossing with street Konstantinovskaja. Along the street Konstantinovskaja 6 will be the white two-storeyed house. In this private residence constructed in 17 century, in 1706-07 King Peter I stopped. The house is closed for visitors.

Beside, to the address - street. Horevaja 5a, you will see church Nikoly Pritiska (1631). The architecture of this strict constructions reminds the Ukrainian wooden churches. Despite of proceeding restoration, church it is open for public. Services correct on Saturdays at 9.00 and 17.00 and on Sundays at 10.00.

Pechersk . Kiev - Pecherskaja lavra. Along the right coast of Dnepr on two hills to a southeast from city centre monastery Kievo-Pecherskaja lavra is located. To reach lavra, you should leave at station of underground " "Arsenalna", to proceed street and to sit down on a trolley bus 20. The address: January revolt str 21. Ph. 290-73-49. An operating mode: 10.00 - 18.00, the day off - Tuesday.

In in the territory of lavra is set of temples, restoration workshops, kilometers of caves with underground churches, together with the most interesting Kiev museums. Among them - the Museum of historical jewelry, the Museum of the book and publishing, the Museum of the Ukrainian national decorative art and others. Tickets to these museums are sold directly at the entrance to each of them; for an input fee to caves instead of the ticket you buy a candle. In territory of a monastery directly at an entrance is excursion buro where it is possible to receive services of guides in the Ukrainian, Russian, English, French, German and Spanish languages. If you decide to wander along lavra independently, here you can get detailed guidebooks in several languages. We would recommend to you to devote all the day for acquaintance with lavrsas complex.

Kievo- Pecherskaja laurels - one of the most known Kiev sights . "Laurels" - the term of the orthodox church, meaning especially large monastery. Pecherskaja laurels is orthodox "Mecca" most esteemed in east-slavic religion. Before revolution of 1917 there was the main place of worship of pilgrims from all former Russian empire. Came here to be cleared of sins and many inhabitants of other countries of Europe professing Orthodoxy. It is based in 1051 by monks Antoniy and Feodosiy for strengthening and distribution of new religion - christianities. Monks lived and corrected services in caves (on - ukrainski "pecherah "). In suc way, actually, also began Pecherskaja laurels. Died monks are also buried here. Because of a special combination of low temperatures and humidity buried in caves bodies did not decay, and mumifitsirovalis . Even today safety of some of them surprises. From the eleventh century up to nowadays! " Power imperishable " were esteemed for the greatest miracle and promoted distribution of glory of a monastery. The belief of simple people in learning and sanctity of monks Kievo-Pecherskoj laurels was boundless.

In 12 century the monastery becomes the cultural and religious center of all East Europe. Here placed workshops and skriptory where were translated into Church Slavonic language and products of foreign authors corresponded. In laurels lived oustanding art workers of the Kyivska Rus`. There were such inscrriptors and writers: Nikon , Feodosiy Pechersky , the Polycarp, Iakov Mnih ; doctor Agapit; known Kiev mozaichist and painter Alimpy. Here monk Nestor-letopisets wrote well-known " the Story of time years ". Archeological excavations of 1950 have revealed, that on lavra territories there was also the special workshop making a mosaic for an ornament of the Kiev churches.

Besides Near and far caves, complex Kievo-Pecherskoj laurels includes set of known historical constructions. Among the most ancient (11-12 centuries) - church of Spas on Berestove where the founder of Moscow Jury Dolgoruky is buried; Troitskaja nadvratnaja church, carried out a role of a temple and simultaneously - a watchtower near an entrance to themonastery; Nikolskaja church. Big lavrsa`s belltower, the highest in Ukraine (96,5 i), has been built in 1731-44 with support of hetman Ivan Mazepa.

Last years many buildings os Kievo-Pecherska laurels are returned to the state of church. Now there is a man's monastery, the Kiev theological seminary, Spiritual academy and a residence of metropolitan of the Ukrainian orthodox church.

Others:

Vydubitsky monastery

It is incorporated by prince Vsevolod, son of Jaroslav Mudriy and father of Vladimir Monomah, between 1070 and 1077 " Votchy " monastery of a sort of the Monomove. It is located on southern surburb of city, in district Vydubichi from which has received his name. In days of the Kyivska Rus` there was a ferry through Dnepr. In Vydubitskiy monastery lived and worked many people of that time, and among them - inscriptors Silvestr and Moisej , brought in the considerable contribution to a spelling of " the Story of time years " and continuation to it. Churches of this monastery have gone to nowadays through a pressure of past centuries. Among them - Mihajlovsky cathedral. Our days view Vydubitsky monastery has got in18 century when have been erected five-dome Georgievsky a cathedral, trapeznaja and a belltower. These constructions are executed in style of the Ukrainian baroque. Territorially Vydubitsky monastery adjoins to Central republican botanical garden.

Kirillovskaja church

One of the most beautiful in Kiev. It is constructed in 1146 as a patrimonial tomb of Chernigov princes Olgovichy . Here in 1194 prince Svjatoslav Vsevolodovich, one of heroes drom legend " Words about Igorev`s shelf" have been buried. In 17 and 18 centuries the church has been reconstructed in style of the Ukrainian baroque. An interior decorate unique by the artworks of 12 century and compositions of a brush of M.A.Vrubelja on the walls. Divine services are sent only on the big orthodox holidays. In the rest of the time the church works as a museum. The address: street. O.Teligi 12. Ph. 435-11-26. An operating time: daily from 10.00 till . The day off Friday.

Pokrovskaja church

It is constructed in 1766 under the project of the architect I.G.Grigorovicha-Barskogo in style of the Ukrainian baroque. After a fire of 1811 it has been thoroughly reconstructed. Now it is situated on Podil, at the Mostitskaja str. 2. Ph. 430-05-90.

Pokrovsky female monastery

It is based in 1889 by great princess A.P.Romanovaja; she became it`s first director . The monastic ensemble consist of several constructions: the main gate, the Nikolaev cathedral, kely nuns, monastic hospital. Zlatokupolnyj Nikolaev cathedral has been built in 1896-1906 under the project of architect V.N.Nikolaev. During Soviet times it is mutilated, nowadays it is partly restored and impresses. The address: Behterevsky lane 15.

Svjato - Voznesenskaja church (1883)

It is built in 1883. In 1907 oustanding poetess Lesja Ukrainka got married here. Services at week-days and on sub . At 9.00 and 18.00, on voskr . Both to holidays at 7.00 and 10.00. Vyh. : poned .

Sacred Nikolay's church

Askoldova`s tomb

It is located on one of park avenues of the right coast of Dnepr, nearby to a tomb of the Unknown soldier with Eternal fire. Under the legend, varjazhsky konung Oleg, who ruled in Novgorod, in 882 was murdered on this place. It is considered, that Askold has been buried on a place of death. In 1810 architect A.Melensky has constructed here a stone church-rotunda which has been reconstructed in park pavilion later. The colonnade is built on in 1935. To reach up Askoldova`s tombs, leave at station of underground " Arsenalna ", by a trolley bus 20 or a tram 27 up to the square of Glory and then go downwards Dneprovskiy descent.

A Mariinsky palace

It is constructed in 1750-60 under the project of architect B.Rastrelli, it is named in honour of empress Maria, the spouse of emperor Alexander P. style - a successful combination of Ukrainian and Russian baroque. It was the Kiev residence of imperial family. Facades and interiors of a palace differ luxury of furnish. Now the Mariinsky palace is used for official ceremonies and closed for public. The address: Grushevsky str 5. It is located near to the Supreme Rada, the Ukrainian parliament.

Babiy jar