Kiev

 This short pleasantly sounding word is the name of the city whose history counts 1500 years. Kiev, without any exaggeration, is one of the grand cities in Europe. Kiev is not only the capital of Ukraine but also the mother city for all Eastern Slavic People. Kievan Rus, the state from which Ukraine, Russia and Belarussia are all descended, was established here between the 9th and 10th centuries. Kievan Rus was also the place of origin of the Russian Orthodox Church. Kiev was the center of conception and development of ancient Rus' culture, which became one of the highest achievements of the world's civilization. The city’s old areas stand on wooded hills above the west bank of the Dnieper River. Panoramic view of the Dnieper, the Dnieper's hilly banks and chestnut trees of Kiev create a unique atmosphere of an attractive tourist center. At present Kiev is one of the most beautiful cities of the world, a garden-town, one of three European capitals most abundant in vegetation. Kiev is the city of rich historical and cultural heritage, theaters, museums, art galleries, exhibition halls, and original city architecture. Unique museums - St. Sophia Cathedral, Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastery inscribed in 1990 on the UNESCO list of the most important monuments of the world's cultural heritage.

St.Sophia Cathedral – oldest church, was built in 1017–31in honor of Prince Yaroslavl’s victory over the Pechenegs. The majestic 13-domed church was named after the famous St. Sophia Cathedral located in Constantinople. The church became a holy place of worship for ancient Kievites as well as a major cultural and political center in Kievan-Rus. St. Sophia was also a center of learning and culture, housing the first school and library. St. Sophia is made a huge impression with its rich frescoes and mosaics, many of which are still intact almost a millennium later.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra – founded in 1051, the Caves Monastery was Kievan Rus’s first, and for a long period of time most famous, monastery. The primary goal of the monastery was to spread the newly adopted Christian religion. It is a unique array of gold-domed churches, underground labyrinths lined with mummified monks, and elegant monastic buildings. The monastery became Kievan Rus’s intellectual center, producing icons and training builders and artists.
“Golden Gate” museum – the famous gate of Kiev erected in 1017, a landmark of Kyievan Rus. The historic main gateway into the ancient city during Yaroslavl’s rule, supposedly inspired by Constantinople’s Golden Gate. Inside is a small museum of old Rus architecture.
Khreshchatik - European Square marks the beginning of Kiev’s central business district and most popular People-watching Street, the beautiful tree-lined boulevard Khreshchatik.