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Culture of Kiev. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces
Among the spectacular sights of Kiev there are religious sites, unique monuments of architecture, and a variety of museums, so every traveler could choose an interesting cultural program. Church of St. Andrew is a true sample of the baroque; it was constructed in the second half of the 18th century. The church is located on a high hill. Today this famous religious monument is converted into a museum.
Kyiv has a lot of interesting shopping malls. Dozens of product categories are presented in Globus Shopping Center. It houses clothing and footwear stores of various price categories, elite … 
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Discovering the architecture of Kiev from bird's eye view! Kiev Pechersk Lavra, St. Andrew Church, Monument of Independence , St. Michael Golden-Domed Monastery, Kiev Fortress, Church of the Saviour at Berestove, all those monuments are defining the image of Kiev … Open
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An unusual sight is the Pharmacy Museum, which first welcomed its visitors in 1986. Its collection includes a variety of exhibits related to the pharmacy business, from pharmaceutical instruments and bottles to crabs and snakes preserved in alcohol. The most famous monument of defensive architecture is the Golden Gate, which had served as the main entrance to the city until the 17th century. The powerful fortress tower with a wide thoroughfare has preserved perfectly. Near the gate there is a small museum dedicated to the history of the edifice.
Saint Sophia Cathedral, St. Volodymyr Cathedral, Golden Gate, Olimpiyskiy Sports Complex, as well as many others, they all become the world's cultural heritage objects and remain as iconic monuments for Kiev … Open
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The National Bank of Ukraine building is a great example of Empire architecture. It was built in 1839, and its main pride is griffons installed on the corners of the building. Sightseeing in Kyiv cannot be imagined without exploring Syrotkyna Apartment House - one of the most beautiful buildings in the Ukrainian capital. Facades with baroque, Art Nouveau and neo-renaissance elements, windows in the style of early Art Nouveau, relief details and sculptures - all this boggles the imagination and makes the heart of every visitor to Kyiv beat faster. A masterpiece of Stalinist Empire style is the Expocenter of Ukraine National Complex where interesting exhibitions are often held. It is also worth noting that this complex was once visited by famous figures such as Margaret Thatcher, Charles de Gaulle, Broz Tito.
In order to get acquainted with all notable places of Kiev you will need more than one day of long walks. However, you will not need any transport as all main sights of this city are located … Open
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Yagimovskiy House that is often referred to as "House With Cats" is another brilliant architectural creation. It is called so because its main pride is magnificent cat-shaped bas-reliefs. However, the palace had another name - once it was called the “House of Koschei” since the architect's last name was Bezsmertnyi (translates as "Immortal", just like Koschei in Slavic folklore). The building with Art Nouveau elements was completed in 1909 and immediately began to attract the attention of those looking for aesthetic pleasure. Another interesting building in Kyiv is the so-called "Chocolate House", which got its name for a facade resembling the chocolate texture. Built in an eclectic style in 1901, the mansion draws the attention of all connoisseurs of architectural art.
The selection of entertainment for holidaymakers with children in Kiev is simply wide. They should definitely visit the Kiev Zoo. In this large zoo, you can see animals from all over the … Open
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Equally interesting are sculptures located throughout the city. These are monuments to great people - Bogdan Khmelnitsky, Taras Shevchenko, Volodymyr the Great, Princess Olga, as well as memorials in honor of Afghan soldiers and people affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The Motherland Monument, which is a permanent symbol of the unity of Ukraine and its capital's hallmark, is worthy of at least a cursory inspection. Beautiful parks are ideal for walking in Kyiv. This can be the already mentioned Mariyinsky Park, Shevchenko Park or Natalka Park.
It’s not easy to choose the best one among hundreds of Kiev restaurants. Let’s start the story about most attractive gastronomic points of interest with the review of national … Open
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Get acquainted with the traditional way of life of local residents' ancestors in two museums: the first is the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life (Pirogovo) and the second is "Mamaeva Sloboda". This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture, learn about the country's traditional craft, visit a mini-zoo, ride a horse-drawn carriage, watch performances of folk groups, buy some authentic Ukrainian souvenirs, and, of course, have a good time. Children would probably be interested in the State Museum of Toys where they can find out what kind of toys children who lived at different times played with. Those who'd prefer to learn more about the tragic milestones in the history of Ukraine are recommended to visit the Ukrainian National Chornobyl Museum and the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. 
City tours, excursions and tickets in Kiev and surroundings
Plan your own excursion through Kiev: churches, museums and castles
Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kiev
Location on the map: 
Facts:
» Yaroslav the Wise is believed to have ordered the construction of the religious institution. According to the encrypted wall inscription discovered by researchers, it was founded in 1011 which proves that the prince could not be the founder of the construction. Facts:» God's house was built by architects from Constantinople.
» The building has several pear-shaped domes. The number of domes symbolizes Jesus, his 12 disciples, and the evangelists who preached the teachings of Christ.
» The dome ceilings, arches, vertical columns are all decorated with colored inserts preserved from the day the temple was founded. A separate 1x1 square was pressed into plaster thus creating a complete canvas with a pattern. 177 color shades were used while creating the mosaics.
» The interior has lots of frescoes picturing the scenes from saints’ lives. They cover an area of 3,000 square meters.
» There are revered relics in the hall. Monomakh’s Cap, the crown of the tsar power, is one of them.
» The underground crypt has 100 graves.
» “Sophia” in the name is associated with a concept of Christianity – divine wisdom.
» In the past, princes used to be crowned, foreign ambassadors were received here, and public gatherings were held outside the cathedral.
St. Andrew Church, Kiev
Location on the map: Facts:
» The stone Orthodox church was laid on the site of a former fortress bastion on top of a mountain in 1744. Facts:» The builders had to construct a 15-meter-high ground part under the base of the building to make it stronger and prevent it from being destroyed by groundwater.
» It had been intended to be built by the time Empress Elizabeth I came to the area as part of her pilgrimage to Kiev.
» The shape of the 47-meter house resembles an elongated cross. The church is covered with a huge dark green dome. It is decorated with gilded garlands. There are turrets rising on four sides.
» Stucco molding and cast iron were used to decorate the walls of a religious building for the first time.
» Turquoise walls contrast with snow-white colonnades and decorations in the form of unfolded scrolls. All items are gilded.
» The interior is as picturesque as the exterior. All frescoes picture biblical themes. Their distinctive feature is thoroughly painted details in the characters’ costumes, their poses, still lifes, nature pictures. Such painting is not typical of cult asceticism.
» 39 icons for a 3-tier carved iconostasis had been created by a Ukrainian artist for 3 years.
» The church is named for Andrew the Apostle.
St. Volodymyr Cathedral, Kiev
Location on the map: Facts:
» The cathedral is named for Prince Vladimir. In 1862, to commemorate the wise ruler, the first stone was laid in the foundation of the holy place. The construction of the major Orthodox church took 20 years and was finished in 1882. Facts:» Lots of famous artists took part in its decoration. Viktor Vasnetsov alone frescoed 2,000 squares.
» Colored marble stone was used for facing the iconostasis and floors. It was brought from Italy, France, Belgium, and Spain.
» The church has seven cupolas which make the construction 49 meters high.
» The massive entrance doors are made of bronze. There are faces of Princess Olga and Prince Vladimir on them.
» Craftsmen from Venice were invited to decorate the mosaic interior. Ceremonial utensils were made to order by a jewelry company.
» The interior walls form one composite canvas of biblical scenes. The pictures demonstrate the history of Russian Orthodoxy.
» The relics of Saint Barbara were brought here from another cathedral.
» People from all over the world contributed money for the construction of God's house. The metropolitan himself contributed 7,000 rubles. The Kiev Pechersk Lavra provided a million bricks.
Monument of Independence , Kiev
Location on the map: Facts:
» The 42-meter triumphal column is located on the square in the center of the city. An architect from Kiev worked on its construction. Facts:» The vertical structure is faced with light Italian marble brought from the Mediterranean.
» To make it more stable, a reinforced concrete frame was installed inside the stela. A 1.5-ton counterweight was also placed there so that the monument could resist the forces of nature. It can hold back the flow of a hurricane wind and ground movements. There are spiral stairs leading to the top.
» The elevation resembles a temple.
» A statue of a girl in a long shirt rises in the middle of the monument. It is a symbol personifying the Mother of God with open arms. Her all-embracing gesture means intercessory prayer. The guelder rose branch in the hands, embroidery on the dress, and headdress ribbons are painted in gold leaf. Guelder rose has always been considered a symbol of Ukraine.
» The statue of Berehynia itself is cast in bronze. It weighs about 20 tons. The sculptor’s daughter served as a model for the female figure.
» Three projects were selected by the jury of the competition. They formed the basis of the design.
» The monument commemorates the independence of the state and was built on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
St. Michael Golden-Domed Monastery, Kiev
Location on the map: Facts:
» The church complex consists of a cathedral, refectory, church, and a bell tower. Facts:» According to legend, the monastery was founded by the first bishop of the city. The temple dedicated to the archangel was ordered by the grandson of Yaroslav the Wise (1113) as the evangelist was the heavenly patron of the townspeople.
» The facade cladding mixes flat brick masonry and rows of stone.
» It was the first time in the history of architecture when a dome was gilded on a religious building, which is why it is called ‘Golden-Domed’.
» Princes of Kiev rest in this place.
» The interior of the hall is lined with mosaic panels. There were times when such images stretched along all the walls.
» Only 45 square meters of the original several-century-old mosaics remained intact. The pictures are called flickering as the patterns were selected in such a way that it seems the shades are opalescent.
» The community was presented with a gift from Emperor Alexander I. He gave the icon of St. Michael into their possession. The frame is made of pure gold and decorated with diamond inserts.
» There is an altar canopy in the monastery courtyard. It has a stone fountain bowl from where a spring comes out. It is furnished with picturesque columns and adorned with frescoes. The bowl is covered with a gilded coating.
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What to visit during two-day excursion in Kiev
Independence Square
Where: Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kiev;
Where: Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kiev;
Kreshchatyk
Metro: Kreshchatyk;
Metro: Kreshchatyk;
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Where: Sichnevoho Povstannya, Kiev; Telephone: +380 44 290 3071; Metro: Aresenalna;
Where: Sichnevoho Povstannya, Kiev; Telephone: +380 44 290 3071; Metro: Aresenalna;
Andriyivsky Uzviz
Metro: Ploshtova Ploscha;
Metro: Ploshtova Ploscha;
One Street Museum
Where: Andriyivsky decent 2-B, Kiev; Telephone: +380 425 0398; Opening hours: Tues-Sun 12.00-18.00;
Where: Andriyivsky decent 2-B, Kiev; Telephone: +380 425 0398; Opening hours: Tues-Sun 12.00-18.00;
St Sophia Cathedral
Where: Vladimirskaya 24, Kiev; Telephone: +380 44 278 2083; Opening hours: Mon-Sat 09.00-18.00 Closed at Thursdays;
Where: Vladimirskaya 24, Kiev; Telephone: +380 44 278 2083; Opening hours: Mon-Sat 09.00-18.00 Closed at Thursdays;
Museum of Russian Art
Where: Tereschenkovskaya St. 9, Kiev; Telephone: +380 44 224 6107; Opening hours: Fri-Tues, 10.00-17.00.; Metro: Teatralna;
Where: Tereschenkovskaya St. 9, Kiev; Telephone: +380 44 224 6107; Opening hours: Fri-Tues, 10.00-17.00.; Metro: Teatralna;
St Mikhayil’s
Where: Mikhailivska ploscha, Kiev; Telephone: +380 44 278 8956;
Where: Mikhailivska ploscha, Kiev; Telephone: +380 44 278 8956;
Babi Yar
Metro: Dorohozhychi;
Metro: Dorohozhychi;
Reference information
Map of all palaces
Public palaces near Kiev
♥ Palace 'Klovsky Palace' , 1.5 km from the center. On the map
Photo
♥ Palace 'Royal Palace' Lviv, 2.2 km from the center. On the map
Photo
Map of all art museums
Art galleries in Kiev and around
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Western and Oriental Art' Kiev, 0.9 km from the center. On the map
Photo
Map of all churches
Cathedrals and basilicas near Kiev
♥ Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Kyiv (Київ), 5.4 km from the center. On the map
Photo
Photogallery of cultural heritage of Kiev
Landmarks of culture on Kiev map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc
Culture guide to Kiev. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Kiev: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Kiev. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!
