@PANORAMA
photos by Rick DeLong
Kiev’s official recorded history begins on 482 AD. According to legend, the city was founded on the high right bank of the Dnipro River by the brothers Kyi, Schek, and Khoryv and their sister Lybid, and named Kiev in honor of the elder brother. The city became the center of the powerful Kievan Rus state which reached its golden age under Prince Volodymyr Svyatoslavovych the Great, who Christianized the Rus in 988, and his son Yaroslav the Wise (978 - 1054). Testimonials to the greatness of that era: the St. Sophia Cathedral and the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, still stand today.Modern Kiev is a dynamic European megalopolis, in the center of which is beating the heart of the ancient Great City with its aristocratic character,rich history, and unique architectural landmarks.
Kiev’s past and present are brought together today on UkrainePlaces.com
1 -The Dnipro Embankment
Modern Kiev lies on both banks of the Dnipro, the third-largest river in Europe (2201 km). So, if it is a river, it has to have a River Terminal! Look for it in the Podil district next to Poshtova Square, and having found it, make sure you go on an unforgettable Dnipro cruise. You may sail along the Kiev shores, or visit Ukraine’s other cities located on the Dnipro, or even travel as far as the Black Sea and take an international cruise!
2 - The National Opera of Ukraine
The National Opera House, located at the intersection of Volodymyrska and Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Streets, is rightfully regarded as an architectural gem of Kiev. This splendid building in French Renaissance style was erected in 1901 based on a design by Russian architect Viktor Shreter. In June 1917, the all-Ukrainian Military Congress, held in the theater, established the first Central Rada, headed by Mykhailo Hrushevsky, and declared the autonomy of Ukraine. In 1983-1988 the theater underwent major reconstruction.
3 - St.Michael’s Monastery
To Kievites, the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral has special significance: after all, Michael the Archangel is regarded as the divine patron of Kiev. St. Michael’s stone Cathedral, with its golden domes, was built in 1108-1113 by Kievan Prince Sviatopolk (or Michael). The church was destroyed by the Bolsheviks in 1930’s. The monastery complex was restored only in 1997-2000.
4- The Kiev Pechersk Lavra
One of the oldest monasteries in the Kievan Rus, whose history goes as far back as in 1051 when Anthony of the Caves founded it. Circa 1062, ground buildings were first erected on the territory of Lavra and soon thereafter, stone temples, monastic cells, and other buildings. Since 1990, the architectural complex of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5 -The Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument, St.Sophia Square
The selection of this location for the monument to a famous horseman was not accidental: it was on St. Sofia Square (Sofiysky Maidan) that Kievites were greeting the Hetman after his victory in a battle against Polish gentry on 23 December 1648 . Thanks to donations by Kievites, the monument on its granite pedestal appeared in 1888 on the square in front of the St. Sophia Cathedral.
6 - Monument to St. Volodymyr
One of Kiev’s symbols, the statue of Prince Volodymyr the Great, is located 70 metres above the Dnipro level in Volodymyr’s Hill Park since the end of the 19th century. Since 1853, the bronze figure of the baptizer of Rus is standing, towering on a 16-metre pedestal. You can get to Volodymyr’s Hill from the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral or from Poshtova Square.
7 - Khreschatyk
is Kiev’s main street which now runs 1.2 km.
How to get to Kiev?
UIA offers direct daily flights to Kiev from most of Western Europe’s largest cities.
Here you can find flights from London to Kiev
With your Panorama Club Card you can earn miles on all UIA flights and flights of our partner airlines: Air France (excluding the Kiev-Paris route), Austrian Airlines, KLM, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal.
Buy tickets on line at www.flyUIA.com. For more information, call us in Kiev at +38 044 581 5050. KyivStar, MTC, Life:) and Beeline cellular service subscribers can dial 566.
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