What To See In Kiev

Kiev is the capital and largest city of Ukraine. The city is an important industrial, scientific and cultural center of Eastern Europe. Kiev has an extensive infrastructure, although quite old, considering Ukraine’s strong economic downturn in 1990. There is still a highly developed system of transportation, including subway system – Kiev Metro.

The one who had a great influence on the evolution of the city was Vladimir I (958-1015). He expanded the city and established its urban structure. He gave his subjects a state religion, Orthodoxy.

Before long, Kiev became the religious center of the Russian state, mainly because of its sacred buildings: the Cathedral of St. Sofia, St. Vladimir Cathedral, Lavra Pecerska Monastery (founded in 1051, the oldest monastery in Russian). The Orthodox culture began in Kiev.

The modern city is a blend of old and new, present in everything related to Kiev, from buildings and shops, to the townspeople themselves. In the center you will find Western-style residential complexes, modern nightclubs, stylish restaurants and prestigious hotels. Historic buildings are renovated – especially Khreshchatyk Street and Independence Square – and they expect visitors. Many of Kiev’s historic areas are now filled with shops where you can find traditional art objects, religious songs, books, various games and jewelry.

The most famous historic buildings in Kiev are St. Sophia Cathedral and Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, or Monastery of the Caves, also on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Also noted are the Mariyinsky Palace, Orthodox churches: St. Andrew, St. Michael, and St. Vladimir, and rebuilt Golden Gates.