I suggest you begin to get acquainted with the amazing city, which is located on seven hills (so legends say), in the center of Europe and its name is Kiev. Kiev is the capital of Ukraine – the largest country in Europe. For many hundreds of years the city of Kiev has been on the banks of a beautiful river – the Dnieper. In times immemorial exactly around Kiev began to form the Slavic state – Kievan Rus. It was one of the centers where the early Slavic culture was born as an important component of world civilization. The city has a very rich history, cultural heritage and a lot of legends, myths and mysteries.

In the pictures you can see the ancient and modern streets of the city, temples, murals, objects of modern art.

One of the popular places in the city is Andriyivsky Uzviz (Andrew’s Descent). This street is the real heart of Kiev, one of the few places where the atmosphere of Kiev’s antiquity is preserved, the architecture and local monuments are almost untouched. Many buildings on Andriyivsky Spusk have their unique history. For example the Castle of Richard (it is just the name of the old house in pseudo-Gothic style, no King Richard was here). People believe that it is haunted and bypass this house.

Andrew’s Cathedral. This unique church was built in the 1740s by the Italian Rastrelli, the only one among Orthodox churches without bells.

Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, its construction began in 1037 and lasted about 3 years, involving  Byzantine, Greek, and Russian masters. The place for the construction was chosen on the square where all four roads leading to Kiev converged. Now on this square is placed the main Christmas tree in Ukraine.

Interesting facts about Kiev:

1. The shortest central street of the capital in Europe – Khreshchatyk. Its length is 1.33km.
2. The widest central street of the capital in Europe is also Kreshchatik. Its width is 75 meters.
3. Kiev is a very green city, but there is a street on which there is only one tree – Sagaidachnogo Street.
4. Remember Arsenalnaya metro station, which is part of the Kiev branched metro. The fact that it is located at a depth of 105 meters and is considered one of the deepest in the world.
5. The highest monument in Kiev is the monument “Mother Motherland”. It is one of the five highest monuments in the world. Its height is 102 meters.
6. The oldest monument in the city is the monument to the Magdeburg Law.
7. St. Andrew’s Church is the only Orthodox church without bells.
8. The only temple on the water in Ukraine is the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on Podol.

Kiev is a must-see city for every traveler. The city is immersed in greenery, and the residents are always hospitable. Here you can try the world-famous potato deruny, borscht, vareniki with potatoes and gorilka with peppers.

Submitted by: Ekateryna Podopryhora

This is a monument to the founders of Kiev - Kiy, Schek, Horiv and their sister Lybid.

Monument to the Motherland

Haunted House