Kiev is a capital of Ukraine, one of the most ancient cities on the territory of the country, the centre of East Slavic civilization. It is an administrative, political, historical, cultural and spiritual centre of the state.

Kiev was officially founded in 482. According to the legend, it was founded by Kiev, prince of Slavic tribe. It has achieved its prosperity in XI century, during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise, having become one of the most powerful cities in Europe. Later it has experienced periods of decay as well as cultural and political development.

Absolutely whole Kiev is worth of attention, but there are places every Kiev guest has to visit.

Kiev Pechersk Lavra – the appendage of St God’s mother, topped with golden domes, overlooks the right bank of the Dnepr.
The architectural complex impresses the visitors even nowadays. In the lights of the sun all the numerous domes and bells are brighter than the sun itself. The majority of the buildings was built in XVII – XVIII centuries and is a great example of Ukrainian baroque.

The greatest masterpiece of Ukrainian baroque - St Andrew’s Church was established in 1744 when Empress Elizaveta I came to Kiev. It was constructed in 1749-54 by Bartolomeo Rastrelli at the beginning of Andriyivskyy Descent. This is the only building by Rastrelli that has been kept in Ukraine. The interior was also created by Rastrelli and it is close to rococo.

Andriyivskyy Descent lies between Kontraktova Square and Vladimirskaya and Desyatynnaya Streets. Nowadays it has its primary look and is the fair of folk arts in the open air. It is sometimes called the Kiev Monmartro. Despite the day of week or the weather, this is the place where you can see a lot of artists demonstrating their works – bijous, glass and ceramic crockery, funny souvenirs from wood, toys, medals, coins and many more things. Besides it has a variety of small bars and cafes where you can have a rest. Be sure, everyone will be satisfied with souvenirs and impressions!

In 1744 Empress Elizaveta Petrivna during her stay in Kiev chose the place for the future palace. Mariyinsky Palace was constructed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1750-1755. I. Michurin an outstanding Russian architect was responsible for the building.

The main façade of the palace faces Mariyinsky Park, which was founded in 1874. The winding alleys fit the general landscape of the park. This complex is known as the President Palace. All ceremonial state events such as durbars or awarding of certificates of honor by foreign ambassadors, as well as different summits take place here. If you fail to come and see it, you won’t have the whole picture of Kiev.

According to legend St.Sophia cathedral was built at the place where Yaroslav the Wise won a decisive victory over pechenegs. In 1037 Prince Yaroslav laid the foundation of St.Sophia Cathedral – the largest construction of Kiev of those times. In 1934 architectural and historical nature reserve was organized- at present Sophia Kiev National reserve. In 1990 it was included in UNESCO World heritage list. It is now used as a museum. 260 square meters of mosaics and 3000 square meters of frescos have been saved for centuries in one place. Nowhere in the world will you find so many mosaics and frescos of the 11 century under one roof. The cathedral is surrounded by other cloistral buildings of the 17 century in the style of Ukrainian baroque. No one leaves it feeling indifferent.

The Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine, situated in the southern city outskirts not far from the village Pirogovo, overlooks picturesque sceneries, blue ponds, green woods and groves. The overall territory is about 150 hectares. It was founded in 1969. The museum contains over 300 pieces of folk architecture of XVI-XX centuries from different regions of Ukraine: the Middle Pridneprovschina, Poltavschina, Slobozhanschina Polesie, Podolie, the Carpathians, and the South of Ukraine.

Homesteads with original village houses and other buildings are placed exactly the way they used to be according to historical and ethnographical, as well as, geographical regions. Enjoy all Ukrainian folk traditions in one place!

Saint Vladimir Cathedral is one of the most beautiful temples in Kiev. It was built in the 19th century to commemorate the 900th anniversary of Russian baptizing.

Original design of the cathedral was elaborated by Saint Petersburg architect Strom and Kiev eparchy architect Sparro. Later the project was completed by architect Beretti.

The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Prince Vladimir, who baptized Russia and made Christianity official state religion. Interiors and exteriors of the cathedral are designed in Old Byzantine style, which makes the cathedral similar to temples of Old Russia in the times of Saint Prince Vladimir Saint Vladimir Cathedral was put up in 1862-1896. In 1896 it was solemnly consecrated at presence of Emperor Nicolas II and his wife Alexandra Fyodorovna.

Saint Vladimir Cathedral is world famous for its unique frescos and mosaics. Outstanding Russian artists, such as Vasnetsov, Vrubel, Nesterov and others, as well as Venetian masters, participated in the cathedral decoration. Brilliant work of artists and special meaning of the temple explain why Saint Vladimir Cathedral is such a popular place for pilgrimage. Contemporaries called Saint Vladimir Cathedral "the first inspired example of Russian religious art", and it still attracts visitors with its majesty and beauty.

In 1901-1903 popular and spectacular Kiev architect Vladislav Gorodezhkii put up a private house that is known as a House with Chimeras. Inside and outside the building is decorated with quaint and sometimes even freakish sculptures, including maidens on fantastic fishes, elephants, rhinoceroses, antelopes, frogs, lizards, eagles, snakes and even a little crocodile. The sculptures are made of cement, and there is a legend saying that architect Gorodezhkii together with companies producing cement intended to construct a house that would be kind of advertisement for new building material. Modern historians consider this legend to be close to reality, because Gorodezhkii was one of the owners of cement producing plants.

Gorodezhkii built the House with Chimeras for his family. He was very ambitious architect and did not want any other building to stand next to his house, so he decided to purchase two plots of land. One plot was intended for the house and another one was empty, but still the architect reached his goal, as nobody could buy that land and put up a building there. Nowadays this plot of land is occupied by stairs leading to Ivan Franko Theater.

Immediately after the construction works of the House with Chimeras were completed, it became surrounded with numerous legends. One of them says that the architect planned to construct the house after the death of his daughter who drowned in Dnepr or committed suicide because of unrequited love. According to this legend, the architect went crazy and decided to decorate the house with Dnepr inhabitants, such as fishes and weird maidens, who, as he thought, surrounded his daughter after her tragic death.

St Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. Its construction began in July 1108. During its long history the monastery was rebuilt several times. By the middle of 18 century it had finally became seven-domed, herewith all the cupolas had been gilded. The interior is decorated with frescos and mosaics. Some legends say that it was in the monastery where Rasputin first met with the royal family. The chief magnet for pilgrims from all over the world used to be the relics of St Barbara. The whole Christendom reveres her memory. Rafael on his famous picture “Sixteenth Madonna” painted St Barbara near God’s mother.