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Kiev Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Kiev
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Kiev Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Kiev - The striking Ukrainian capital of Kiev (or Kyiv)
is one of Eastern Europe's oldest cities and its fortunes have
risen and fallen with the tides of history. The city, once capital
of Old Rus, is believed to date back to the 5th century and was a
key player in the expansion of the medieval East Slavic nation, as
well as serving as a major centre for trade between the
Mediterranean and the Baltic.
By the 1200s, Kiev
was one of the world's largest cities, but fell foul to invading
Mongols in 1240, really only recovering in the 19th century during
the Russian Revolution. Much of the city and its treasures were
again damaged during World War II, but Kiev still boasts a rich
cultural heritage and a range of spectacular attractions.
A plethora of museums, theatres, opera houses, historical
buildings and gardens are to be found, laid out on either side of
the picturesque Dnieper River. The western bank is home to the
older part of the city and was, pre-urbanisation, characterised by
its forested hills, as well as steep ravines and winding rivers,
which serve as ice-rinks in winter. Watched over by a statue of the
historic protector of Kiev, Michael Archangel, the city also boasts
a successful blend of the old and the new. Modern buildings nestle
against historical gems and cultural wonders rub shoulders with
trendy, buzzing nightclubs, bars and restaurants.
Any visit to the Ukraine is bound to start with an
exploration of its capital, and visitors will need to ensure they
give themselves ample time to explore all it has to offer. From the
Golden Gate of Kiev, built in 1037, to a funicular ride up the
steep western bank, Kiev has something for all tastes and certainly
will not disappoint.
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Kiev
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. St Sophia Cathedral
24 Vladimirskaya Street
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What is it? Dating back to the 11th century, the
exquisite green- and gold-domed St Sophia Cathedral was an
important centre for Soviet Rus. It has been damaged and repaired
over the years, and today is a blend of architectural styles from
nine different centuries. Perhaps one of the most striking aspects
of the Cathedral is its impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics
and frescoes that date back to its inception. The Cathedral also
serves as a living text; hundreds of pieces of graffiti relating
political and historical events spanning the centuries can still be
seen today.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery)
25 Sichnevogo Povstannya Street
www.lavra.kiev.ua |
What is it? Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (the Caves Monastery) is
a fascinating living piece of history dating back to 1051. The
Venerable Anthony, a devout monk, settled in a cave on the western
bank of the Dnieper River. He was soon joined by his followers and
their numbers swiftly began to outgrow the caves. Prince Izyaslav
and other Kievan aristocracy were frequent visitors to the
Venerable Anthony and donated money to build a church and
aboveground monastery. Since that period, the Monastery has
continued to grow and is still active today, serving as an
important centre of Orthodox Christianity and reflecting a
fascinating way of life.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:(0)44 254 2257 |
3. Great Patriotic War Museum
44 Sichnevogo Povstannya
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What is it? Dominated by the enormous, towering statue of
the Motherland (looking like the sword-wielding sister of the
Statue Of Liberty) above it, the Great Patriotic War Museum houses
a fascinating collection of World War II artefacts in a
Soviet-built building. Decommissioned tanks sit outside the museum,
symbolically painted with flowers and nearby, another interesting
statue entitled 'To the Fallen' serves as a memorial to all those
who fought and died in the war. Although most of the museum notes
are in either Russian or Ukrainian, they are well laid out and the
displays are fascinating.
Hours of Operation: Closed Mondays
Phone: |
Kiev
holidays - Top Events
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