Table of Content

KYIV

Quick Facts Places of Interest Cultural Events Side Trips Hotels Restaurants Keep Me Posted

Quick Facts and History

Founded in the 5th century, it became the capital of Kyiv Rus. It was in Kyiv that Christianity first found a foothold among Eastern Slavs when Prince Volodymyr [Vladimir] the Great had his people collectively baptized in the Dnipro [Dnieper] River in A.D.988. 

Even after the decline of Kyiv Principality (13th century) when Eastern Ukraine was a part of the Russian Empire, Kyiv remained a major cultural center of the Empire, famous for its remarkable architecture, theaters, fine arts, music, etc. 

Kyiv suffered severely during World War II; many irreplaceable architectural and art treasures were destroyed. After considerable restoration, Kyiv is now the most popular tourist city in Ukraine. In the ex-USSR its popularity is next only to that of Moscow and St.Petersburg. 

Included in: all UkrTour itineraries and "Zarvanytsya 2000" (brief description, detailed program). 

Places of Interest

Kiyevo-Pecherska Lavra, cave monastery founded in 1051 by monks Anthony and Theodosius, in the catacombs where one can see the "holy relics" of the most spiritually advanced monks. It comprises a whole series of churches, cathedrals and monuments. Among them are: the Trinity Church, built over the entrance gate, which dates from 1108; the walls of the Upper Monastery, built between 1698 and 1701; All Saints' Church (17th century), built over another gateway; the unimaginably high monastery belfry, built in 1731-45. Outside the complex of buildings stands the ancient church, built early in the 12th century by Prince Volodymyr [Vladimir] Monomakh as a burial place for the princes of Kyiv. . 

The Monastery also houses several museums, among them Ukrainian Folk Crafts Museum and Museum of Historic Treasures. 

The National Ukrainian History Museum is of great help for those willing to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the history of Ukraine. 

The Museum of Russian Art. The exhibition mostly consists of the items from the private collection of Ukrainian businessman Tereshchenko. Apart from works by known Russian and Ukrainian 19th-20th-century painters, the collection abounds in applied art items (porcelain is especially good). 

The National Museum of Ukrainian Art. The collections of old Ukrainian icons (sacral paintings) and Ukrainian folklore paintings are of special interest. 

For a preview of some icons from the museum (as well as some other Ukrainian museums), please, visit the virtual exhibition of the Ukrainian Icon In The 11th-16th c.c. at the web site of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The server is located in Lviv, Ukraine, so connection can be slow at times, but it is worth waiting. 

Max Pyziur has collected some interesting samples of the 18-19th c.c. folklore paintings one can see in the museum (as well as museums of Dnipropetrovsk and Chernihiv). 

The open-air Museum of Traditional Rural Architecture and Everyday Life is a vast park on the outskirts of Kyiv where authentic 18th-19th-century village houses from all over eastern Ukraine are gathered. It gives a perfect opportunity to feel how rural people lived in those times. However, the size of the park makes the tour a little tiring (please, take comfortable shoes). 

Cultural Events

Kyiv Opera House has an excellent company. Opera is especially good. 

The last Sunday of May is "The Day of Kyiv", holiday accompanied by carnivals, outdoor folk performances, fairs, etc. All-Ukraine fair of independent art galleries takes place end of May. 

In May the traditional arts festival "Kyiv Spring" takes place. 

Side Trips

Day trip to Chernihiv. 

Hotels

SALYUT HOTEL **** -- (only for F.I.T.) 

DNIPRO HOTEL *** ++

KRESHCHATIK HOTEL *** ++ (only for F.I.T.) 

RUS HOTEL *** +

SPORT HOTEL *** +

LYBID HOTEL *** +

MOSKVA HOTEL *** (only for F.I.T.) 

UKRAINA HOTEL ***

BRATISLAVA HOTEL *** -

PROLISOK MOTEL *** -

Restaurants

On Saturdays the English-speaking community of Kyiv gather for pizza parties at "Arizona" Cafe.

Among those offering local specialties and folklore shows the most famous are the "Khata Karasya" (Cossack's Cabin) and "Yaroslaviv Dvir" (The Court of Prince Yaroslav) restaurants.