 |
Sightseeing and museums
Kiev is a huge city that has survived a big deal of historical events (see history of Kiev). It suffered a lot but never fell on its knees. Each period has left its trace in the city's architecture, outlook and spirit itself. We certainly admit the fact that each individual has his own taste and preferences so we would like to give you a brief excurse to what you might be interested in seeing while in Kiev. Don't miss the opportunity to learn more! Take your time and enjoy yourself!
Recommended historical places:
Andriyivsky Uzviz (Andreevsky Spusk, Andriyivsky Descent)
From ancient times Andriyivsky Uzviz formed the shortest route between the aristocratic Upper Town and the tradesmen's town, Podil. It began from the already familiar Desyatinnaya and St. Andrew's churches and ran down a steep slope to Kontraktova square. The Uzviz (meaning descent) acquired its present appearance in the late 19th century, and it has not changed much since. It consists of mainly of two and three storied stone buildings. Since the latest restoration the street has become part of the Ancient Kyiv preservation area. It is also popular with both locals and visitors because of its literary associations. Mikhail Bulhakov (1891-1940), the famous writer and author of the well-known Master and Marguerite, lived there, and the action of his other masterpieces, the novel The White Guard and the play Days of the Turbans, was set in the Andriyivsky Uzviz area.
The street is often referred to as Kyiv's Montmarte as many artists rent apartments and studios there. Early on summer mornings numerous artists hang their pictures on the walls of the houses and arrange their sculptures on the green turf of the lawns. The street is usually crowded especially on the weekend, with people buying souvenirs, others posing for artists, and yet others watching an improvised performances given by actors, musicians or poets.
Starting on the top with the magnificent St. Andrew's Church, stop in at all the shops as you walk down you will see the medieval castle, called Richard Coeur de Lion's Castle after the hero of a novel by Sir Walter Scott. Visit the pottery shop one of many such shops where handicrafts are sold. Number 13 is the Literary and Memorial Museum of Mikhail Bulhakov. The writer was fond of this street, and described many of its houses in his books. There are several small theaters and coffee shops as well as more museums along the way. Andriyivsky Uzviz ends near the Kontraktova Ploshcha (Square), which is the oldest square in Kyiv, going back to the Kievan Rus period.
Saint Sophia Cathedral
Sofiysky (St. Sophia's) Monastery. The ensemble was built over a period of nine centuries. The complex includes:
Sofiysky (St. Sophia's) Cathedral. Constructed in 1017-31 in honor of Prince Yaroslav the Wise's victory over the Pecheneg tribe. Was the main metropolitan church of Kyivan Rus'-Ukraine. Ceremonies to designate envoys, public meetings, and the writing of chronicles took place here. The first library in Kyivan Rus was located here. The cathedral bears a resemblance to Byzantine constructions, but there is no direct analogy. The original forms of the Romanesque style were preserved until the 17th century. The church facades were not plastered and were embellished with decorative niches, ornaments, and paintings. The interior reveals the harmonious union of mosaics and fresco paintings in a style similar to the Byzantine capital style. Religious and secular themes predominate. Of great value are the decorative works of the 11th century: the Metropolitan's chair, choir loft. The interior of the cathedral is also embellished with fresco ornamentation, mosaic floors, marble decorations, etc. The cathedral contained the tomb of the great Kyivan princes: Yaroslav the Wise, Vsevolod, Rostyslav, and Volodymyr Monomakh were buried here (only the sarcophagus of Yaroslav the Wise has been preserved). After the Tatar-Mongol invasion of 1240, the cathedral gradually fell into ruins. In the 16th century Greek Catholic priests served Mass here. In the 1630's-40's the Kyivan Metropolitan P. Mohyla founded a men's monastery in the cathedral. He engaged the Italian architect O. Mancini to work on its restoration. In 1685-1707 the cathedral was rebuilt in the Ukrainian Baroque style. A Baroque iconostasis was built in 1731-47. St. Sophia's Cathedral is a masterpiece of world architecture.
Bell Tower, 18th-19th century. A four-storied structure, with a height of 76 m. The first story shows features of Ukrainian architecture of the late 17th-early 18th centuries; the second and third stories are embellished with molded decorations in the Ukrainian Baroque style. Ornaments in the pseudo-Byzantine style are featured in the fourth story.
Trapezna (Refectory) Church (Small Sophia), 1722-30. Rebuilt several times, acquiring Baroque forms in the process.
The monastery complex includes several examples of 18th century civil and defense architecture.
Saint Volodymyr Cathedral
Located on Boulevard Tarasa Shevchenka, St. Vladimir's Cathedral was originally designed by Ivan Strom and the building was begun by Alexander Beretti and Paul Sparro and completed by Vladimir Nikolayev. The construction and interior decorations took more than 30 years (1862-96). This seven dome three-aisled church resembles the buildings of old Ukraine only slightly. Its walls are loaded with ornamental details. The interior is decorated in the style of Prince Vladimir's period. The interior completed by a team of outstanding artists accomplished the work in eleven years. The main facade is decorated with a double door made of oxidized bronze with enamel, carving and openwork tracery. On the sides of the door are figures of Princess Olga and Prince Vladimir made of embossed bronze and portrayed against a blue enamel background.
Inside the cathedral, the feeling is grand and spacious, light and richly painted, with splendid bronze ornaments, white marble walls and a marble floor. Most of the painting inside the cathedral was done by Victor Vasnetsov (1848-1926), whose work is closely associated with Kyiv. He painted the entire central nave of the cathedral. His most outstanding masterpieces are a hugh figure of the mother of God with an infant; Jesus Christ on the main cupola, the Evangelists on four sides beneath the cupola; and the scene of the Last Judgment over the western entrance. He is also the painter of such magnificent historical murals as "The Baptism of the Kievans" and "The Baptism of Prince Vladimir".
After 1890 another outstanding artist, Mikhail Nesterov (1862-1942), took part in the painting of the cathedral, mainly contributing large compositions in the chair gallery and icons for the altar screen of the north and south chapels.
Despite the eclecticism felt in all the cathedral's decoration, this memorial is one of the more significant and characteristic examples of monumental art of the second half and end of the nineteenth century.
Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gate)
The golden gate was one of the main structures built by Yaroslav in 1037. Cut into the rampart, it measured 6.4 meters, which was wide enough for a triumphal entry. The "golden" part of its name emphasized the triumphal character of the gate and also referred to the golden cupola of the Church of the Annunciation which was built over it.
The gate, destroyed during Batyi Khan's invasion was not reconstructed, but travellers who visited Kyiv in the 16th-17th centuries left descriptions and sketches of the ruins with the remains of the church. A century later what remained of the gate was levelled to the ground, and it was only in 1832 that archaeologists unearthed it, and it became a sensation. The gate was put in order, reinforced and opened to view. Its picturesque ruins could be seen up until recently.
For the preparations for the celebration of Kyiv's 1500th anniversary a group of specialists reconstructed it in its original for-the way it looked nearly a millennium ago. In 1983 the Golden Gate became a museum.
Kyievo-Pecherska Lavra Monastery
Kyyevo-Pecherska Lavra (Calvin Cave Monastery). A Ukrainian Orthodox monastery founded in 1051 by the monks Antoniy and Feodosiy. In the 11th century it became the center for the expansion and consolidation of Christianity in Calvin Rus'-Ukraine. The chroniclers Nykon, Nestor, Sylvester, the artists Alimpiy, Hryhoriy, and the doctor, Ahapit, at one time worked in the monastery. In 1240 it was looted and destroyed by the Tatar-Mongol armies of Baty. The monastery was again destroyed in 1480. In 1615 an imprimery was located at the monastery. In the late 16th century it was designated a Lavra (monastery). The architectural ensemble attained completion in the mid-18th century. The majority of the structures is built in the Ukrainian Baroque style. The ensemble is organically linked to the relief and forms a beautiful and majestic silhouette of Kyiv from the Dnipro River side. In 1926 the Calvin Cave Historical-Cultural Preserve was established on the premises of the monastery.
V. Kochubey, I. Iskra, P. Stolypin (1862-1911), the notorious head of the Council of Ministers of Tsarist Russia, the archaeologist D. Shcherbakivsky (1877-1927), and various distinguished church figures are buried here.
BUILDINGS OF THE CAVE MONASTERY COMPLEX
Uspensky (Dormition) Cathedral(ruins), 1073-78. The first stone structure of the monastery; the main monastery church. During its lengthy history the cathedral was damaged, rebuilt, and enlarged several times. In November 1941 the church was destroyed by mines laid by Soviet forces retreating from the German advance.
Great Bell Tower, 1731-44. The highest monumental structure in Ukraine (96 m) and the compositional center of the monastery. Built in Classical forms by the architect J. Schaedel, it consists of four stories. A library was located on the first two stories; 13 bells were once located on the third story, of which only three remain. A clock was located on the fourth story.
Troyitska Nadbramna (Holy Trinity) Church, 1106-08. Located above the main gate of the monastery. After the destruction of the Dormition Cathedral in 1240 it became the main monastery church. A unique monument of 18th century Ukrainian architecture. Contains brilliant wall paintings, rich in local scenery, historical-ethnographic material, and folk traditions. The church floor is covered with molded cast-iron tiles.
Mykolayivska (St. Nichola's) Church, late 17th century. Built in the Ukrainian Baroque style. In the second half of the 19th century a second floor was added. The church was part of St. Michael's Hospital Monastery, founded in the 12th century by Svyatoslav Davydovych, called Svyatosha, the former prince of Chernihiv, (monk's name: Mykola) to house ailing monks. Later it was a hospice for aged Kozaks.
Vsikhsvyatska (All-Saints') Church, 1696-98. Located above the Economic Gate in the Ukrainian Baroque style. At the beginning of the 20th century the interior was decorated with pictorial and ornamental oil paintings. Fragments of 17th century paintings have been uncovered. Contains a carved and gilded wood iconostasis from the 18th century. One of the finest monuments of Ukrainian Baroque architecture.
Rizvda Bohorodytsi (Nativity of the Holy Mother of God) Church, 1700. Erected on the site of a wood church. In 1769 a carved and gilded iconostasis was installed (artist: K. Shverin). A refectory was added in 1839. The interior was painted in the 18th century and in 1816. Paintings by the artist D. Davydov were completed in 1894. The main southern entrance was lavishly decorated with molded garlands in the spirit of 17th century decorative folk art.
Bell Tower of the Far Caves, 1754-61. Erected by the master builder S. Kovnir. A brick structure in the Ukrainian Baroque style. Forty-one m high. Lavishly decorated with molded floral ornaments.
Annozachatiyivska (Conception of St. Anne) Church, 1679. Located above the upper entrance to the Far Caves. In 1796 the roof was covered with iron and the cupola was gilded. The church was rebuilt in 1810-1819 and the pear-shaped cupola was replaced by a new, tent-shaped cupola. In the 19th century the interior was decorated with pictorial and ornamental paintings. The oak iconostasis is carved.
Refectory Palace with SS. Antoniy and Feodosiy (SS. Anthony's and Theodosius') Church, 1893-95. Designed by Academician V. Nikolayev in the old Byzantine style. A two-storied structure adjoined by a church with a large, spherical cupola and five gilded cupolas. At the beginning of the 20th century the refectory and church interiors were painted by the artists I. Yizhakevych and H. Popov, following I. Shchusev's designs.
Near Caves, 1051. So-called because of their proximity to the Dormition Cathedral. First mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years for the year 1051. Also called Anthony's Caves in honor of the monastery's founder. The caves measure 228 m in length, with a depth of 5-20 m. In the 1760's the floor was covered with cast-iron tiles. The caves were first used to house monks and later as burial places. The unique geological structure of the soil and constant temperature resulted in the natural mummification of some of the interred remains. There are 75 burial niches in the caves, including the remains of Antoniy, the artists Alimpiy and Hryhoriy, and the doctors Ahapit and Damian, Nestor the Chronicler, the religious and political leader Nykon, Bishop Simeon, and others. In the Near Caves three crypt churches have been preserved: Vvedenska (Presentation at the Temple) Church, Antoniyivska (St. Anthony's) Church (11th cent.), and Varlaamska (St. Varlaam's) Church (1641). All of them have gilded bronze iconostasis which were executed by the Kyiv master builders F. Korobka and Z. Yu. Bryzhunovy (1813-19).
Far Caves, 1051. First mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years for the year 1051. Also known as the caves of Theodosius, in honor of the saint. They measure 280 m in length and are 5-20 m deep. In 1826 the floor was covered with cast-iron tiles. They contain 45 burial niches and three churches: Rizda (Nativity), Feodosiyivska (St. Theodosius'), both of which have 18th century bronze iconostasis, and the Blahovishchenska (Annunciation) Church, which has a wood iconostasis, built in this century.
Besides these monuments, the Calvin Cave Monastery contains many examples of civil architecture of the 18th-20th centuries and fortification structures from 1698 - 1701.
A mean of transport you might have never seen:
Funicular
The funicular (cable car) was built in 1905 and until now it offers quick, exciting, and inexpensive rides from Podil (Lower City) up to Mykhailivska Ploscha (Upper City). The ride is short (about 2 minutes), but it is worth seeing a magnificent panorama of Kyiv and the Dnipro River that uncovers from the Funicular. The cost is the same as the fares in city transport. Children under 7 can have a free ride.
Recommended museums:
ARTEast Gallery
ARTEast Art Gallery is considered to be one of the best art galleries in the entire country. It holds a leading position in representing the best of national art to Ukrainian public and foreign connoisseurs as well. All exhibits represented in the gallery are the authentic works of well-established artists, members of the Ukrainian Union of Artists.
Address: 13 Reytarskaya St
Kiev Art Gallery
Kiev Art Gallery is located in the 19th century building in Nizhni Val Street in Podol, a historical district of the Ukrainian capital. A lot of ancient cultural monuments and famous landmarks of great tourist interest are located there. Podol was always an artistic district, one of the most favorite places of artists, actors and musicians.
Address: 17 Nizhni Val
Kiev Museum of Wax Figures
The idea to establish a museum of wax figures in Kiev appeared after its founders familiarized with exposition of London museum branch in Amsterdam. After this they questioned themselves - if there are such museums in Moscow and Saint Petersburg why not to create one in the capital of Ukraine. Nowadays the exposition consists of more than 60 figures.
Address: B. Khmelnitskogo St.
Kiev Museum of Western and Oriental Art
The Museum of Art named after Bogdan and Varvara Khanenko was founded on the basis of their private collections. The museum is also known as the Museum of Western and Oriental Art. Now it keeps one of the best collections of foreign art in Ukraine. From 1919 the number of exhibits has been more than 13 times increased, from 1,250 to nearly 17,000 artworks.
Address: 15 Tereshenkovskaya St.
Literary Memorial Museum of Mikhail Bulgakov
The museum of outstanding writer Mikhail Bulgakov is located in one of the most beautiful streets of Kiev, Andreyevsky Spusk, which was mainly built up at the end of the 19th century. The street is famous for some older constructions that are considered to be of great historical value. The Memorial Museum was founded in 1989 as a branch of the State Museum of Kiev's History.
Address: 13 Andreyevsky Spusk
Museum of Cultural Heritage
The Museum of Cultural Heritage was open on May 29, 1999. This museum presents the works by those Ukrainian artists who were compelled to live abroad. The collection of the museum is exhibited in eight halls of the old restored house. The museum building is the architectural monument dated to the end of the 18th century-the beginning of the 19th century.
Address: 40-B Moskovskaya St.
Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life
To the southwest of Kiev, in the picturesque setting of Pirogovo village there is an open-air Museum of Ukrainian Folk Architecture, Rural Life and Folk Art. The museum was founded in the late 1960s and features the unique collection of folk architecture from all regions of Ukraine. In summer and fall the museum hosts special craft festivals.
Address: Pirogovo village
National Art Museum of Ukraine
At the beginning of the history of the National Art Museum of Ukraine, there was hardly any concept of Ukrainian professional art. Ukraine was always famous for its national ethnographical applied art. The founders of the museum's collections decided to prove that this opinion was wrong and defined the list of main representatives of Ukrainian fine art.
Address: 6 Grushevskogo St.
National Museum of Medicine of Ukraine
The National Museum of Medicine of Ukraine was founded in Kiev in 1973. It is located in the building of the former anatomical theatre of the University of Kiev. The building is considered to be one of the greatest architectural monuments of the 19th century. The museum represents medicine development in Ukraine from the oldest times until the present day.
Address: 37 B. Khmelnitskogo St.
State Museum of Ukrainian Decorative Folk Art
The State Museum of Ukrainian Decorative Folk Art has one of the largest collections of folk art in the ex-USSR countries. The history of the museum's collection goes back to the late 19th century when a group of prominent Ukrainian and Russian cultural figures sponsored the foundation of the Kiev Museum of Art, Industry and Science.
Address: 21 Sichnego Povsstaniya St.
Ukrainian Museum of Historical Treasures
Ukrainian Museum of Historical Treasures is located in the Pecherskaya lavra, the Monastery of Caves, and has one the richest collections of golden articles in the FSU countries. The museum features exhibits, representing Ukrainian goldsmiths and silversmiths from the 14th to 16th centuries. Ukraine has an old tradition of jewelry, gold and silverware making.
Address: 25 Sichnego Povsstaniya St.
Ukrainian State Museum of Theatre, Music and Cinema
The State Museum of Theater, Music and Cinema, founded in 1923 by the artistic union "Berezil", is the only museum of this kind in Ukraine. The museum's collections feature unique exhibits of theater, music and cinema history. The collections were started in 1923 and became a basis for the scientific research and the documentation of cultural history of Ukraine.
Address: 21 Sichnego Povsstanniya St.
Recommended parks and gardens:
Kiev boasts a number of parks and gardens that are perfect for rest with friends, family, or just alone. In the parks one can admire beautiful Ukrainian nature, enjoy the fresh air and have a good time. Those who like exotic plants are welcome to visit the Central Botanical Garden; little children get positive emotions visiting Kiev Zoo and getting acquainted with funny and cute animals; and if one wants just to have fun, he will, probably, never find a better place than the Hydropark.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden of the Ukrainian Academy of Science, probably the most picturesque garden in Kiev, is also called the Central Botanical Garden. It was founded in 1936. Its total area equals 130 hectares and contains over 13,000 kinds and sorts of trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants from all the world continents.
Address: 1 Timiryazevskaya St
Hydropark
Hyrdopark is a very nice place, where the guests can find several clean beaches, restaurants, sport grounds, various roller coasters for kids, walking zones and other entertainments. The Hydropark features a unique sport ground under the open air, which is very attractive for those who follow a healthy way of life.
Address: Hydropark
Kiev Zoo
The collection of Kiev Zoo numbers over 2,000 fauna representatives from all over the world, including mammals, birds, snakes, fishes and insects. The zoo boasts a pair of elephants. Over 130 kinds of trees and bushes decorate the zoo lands. It also serves as a scientific research center, where the specialists work on acclimatization of the far lands animals.
Address: 32 Peremogi Prospect
Park Slavi
Park Slavi, or the Park of Glory, is located on the intersection of Suchnevogo Povstaniya Street, Suvorova Street and Dmitrievsky Slope. The park is dedicated to the memory of the heroes who died defending Kiev and Ukrainian lands. Park Slavi is a nice place for a family rest: it offers quietness and calmness, pleasant corners, curved paths and historical monuments.
Address: Park Slavi
Trukhanov Ostrov
Trukhanov Ostrov is one of the favorite places of Kiev citizens and guests to the city. They come here to spend their leisure and enjoy the company of each other. On Trukhanov Ostrov there are the best and the cleanest city beaches, which make the place an exciting oasis in the middle of the city hustle and bustle.
Address: Trukhanov Ostrov
Academic Theatre of Drama and Comedy
In spite of its rather academic name the Academic Theatre of Drama and Comedy, located on the left bank of the Dnepr River, is a very innovative and young establishment. The theatre was founded in 1979. The first play of the new theatre that opened a galaxy of bright performances was Acme by Ukrainian playwright Rodion Fedenev.
Address: 25 Brovarsky Pr.
Bravo Kiev Drama Theatre
The Bravo Drama Theatre has gone down in the history as the first private theatre of Kiev. The extensive theatre repertoire represents mainly comedies by modern Ukrainian and foreign playwrights. There one can find the last play by Joe Orton What the Butler Saw, The Value of Love by Mikhail Zadornov, I Prepay by Nadezhda Ptushkina, Tanya-Tanya by Olya Mukhina.
Address: 79 Olesya Gonchara St.
Cherny Kvadrat
To give a short answer to the question what the Cherny Kvadrat is, seems to be rather difficult. Indeed, the Cherny Kvadrat, or Black Square, is a center of modern theatrical art, where many innovative projects are carried out. The repertoire of the theater stretches from improvisations to modern performances, experimental theatrical projects and even academic plays.
Address: 27 Shevchenko Blvrd.
Marionette Theatre
The Kiev Marionette Theatre has been transporting children to an imaginary world of talking puppets and fairy tales since November 1989, when the first performance of the new theatre, founded by the producer and artist Mikhailo Yaremchuk, was shown to the public. Since then this rather small theatre with a chamber-like auditorium seating 100 people has been a destination for a lot of children.
Address: 29/3 P. Sagaidachnogo St.
National Academic Theatre named after I. Franko
The theatre cherishes the traditions of Ukrainian theatre but tries to combine them with the achievement of modern European drama. Since the early 1990s the theatre has toured a lot. People in Germany, Austria, Greece, Italy, Poland have had a possibility to familiarize with the Ukrainian theatre, and its performances have been highly appreciated.
Address: 3 Ivana Franka Sq.
National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after T.G. Shevchenko
The National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet is the oldest musical theatre in Ukraine. It was founded in 1867. While at that time Ukraine was a part of Russian Empire, mainly the operas of Russian composers were staged, such as Mermaid by A. Dargomyzhsky, Life for Tsar and Ruslan and Lyudmila by Ì. Glinka, Queen of Spades by P. Tchaikovsky.
Address: 50 Vladimirskaya St.
National Philharmonic of Ukraine
Today the National Philharmonic Hall of Ukraine continues to present a wide-ranging program that includes a full season of concerts by Symphony and Chamber Philharmonic Orchestras, guitar and bayan quartets, bandura trio, chamber and folk ensembles of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine. Also it constantly conducts international contests and festivals.
Address: 2 Vladimirsky Spusk St.
Theater of Russian Drama named after Lesya Ukrainka
One of the most popular theatres in the Ukrainian capital, the Theater of Russian Drama named after Lesya Ukrainka, is ideally located in the historical part of Kiev, a few steps from Kreschatik. The ancient building, the so-called Bergonye's house, for more than a century has been housing different theatrical troupes and for 80 years has been associated with the Theater of Russian Drama.
Address: 37 B. Hmelnitskogo St.
|
|
 |
