Kyiv (Reading 7th Form)

Kyiv

Kyiv was the capital of ancient Kyivan Rus. Zoloti Vorota was the main entrance to the city. This is often the starting point of many tours round Kyiv.The St Sophia Cathedral was founded by Yaroslav the Wise in 1037. The cathedral was the centre of learning and culture in Kyivan Rus. Prince Yaroslav himself was buried here. There are many beautiful mosaics and frescos in the cathedral. In front of the cathedral there is the Statue of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

St Michael’s Zolotoverkhyi Monastery, named after the Kyiv’s patron saint, shines with its beautiful golden domes on the other side of the square.

Andriyivsky Uzviz keeps its charm for the tourists. The street is named after Apostol Andriy, who climbed the hill here. One who walks up ‘the uzviz’ can see a wonderful St Andrew’s Church that was built in 1754 by Italian architect Bartelomeo Rastrelli.

Tourists and pilgrims shouldn’t ignore the Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra with its numerous caves.

Maydan Nezalezhnosti is a fountain-filled square and the city’s most popular meeting place. All the streets in the centre seem to flow into Maidan Nezalezhnosti. One of them is the famous Nebesna Sotnya Alley with the monument to the heroes of the Revolution of Dignity, who gave their lives for the better future of Ukraine. Maydan Nezalezhnosti is on Khreshchatyk, Kyiv’s main street of 1,5 km long.

On the hill of the square there is a path that leads to the House of Chimeras with its fairy animals. It was built at the start of the 20th century by the architect Vladislav Horodetsky.

Kyiv has become one of the most beautiful European cities. Parks and gardens cover one half of its territory. Kyiv’s monuments of the past look well among modern buildings, theatres, cinemas and trading centres.