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 In recent decades the Andriyivsky Uzviz has become a cult street for Kyivans and visitors. There are several reasons for this. First, there is the beauty of the street (which was emphasized by the thorough renovation carried out in the 1980s). Secondly, the increasing interest of the society and the authorities in monuments of culture (not only those like Saint Andrew’s Church but also conventional buildings). And, finally, the permission for artists to trade their works freely in the street. Today’s Andriyivsky Uzviz is comparable to Monmartre in Paris for its picturesque sights and abundant artistic life. |
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 Two hundred years is not a long period for ancient Kyiv, but the 1,300 meter long Khreshchatyk Street remains the most popular place in the city all year long - its Broadway, its Champs Elysees, its Nevskiy Prospekt. Khreshchatyk has been praised by bards and poets, reproduced by artists and cinematographers, and depicted on postcards and stamps. The beauty of the shady chestnuts in bloom competes with that of the human-built ensembles of post-war buildings. Although the street has plenty of shops and offices. Most of people come here not on business but just to relax. |
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 It is the most pleasant places in the city. Stretching along the green slopes above Dnipro are the Vladimirskaya Hill, the Kreshchaty Park, the City Garden, the Maryinsky Park, the Park of Eternal Glory, and the Botanical Gardens. From Khreshchatyk down to Dnipro the picturesque Petrovskaya Alley stretches. Surrounded by the green parks there are the Askold Grave and the monument to St. Apostle Andrew. |
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 This was the main entrance to «Yaroslav’s city.» Above an enormous arch rose the cross of the Blagoveshchenska church with its gold-plated dome (maybe that was why it was called the Golden Gate, echoing the Golden Gates of Constantinople and Jerusalem). During the long years of destruction and decay in the Upper City following Batu-khans’s conquest, the gate gradually was destroyed. In the middle of the XIX century the old earth ramparts were leveled, and the ruin of the old structure was left in the middle of the square as a monument. But to mark the jubilee celebrations in 1982, a full-size mock-up of the gate was constructed according to a design by the archeologist. |
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 Before the arrival of the Empress Elizaveta Petrovna in 1744, there were no royal palaces in Kyiv. The Empress stayed in the house of the Kyivo-Pecherskiy Archimandrites. She didn't find that place sufficiently comfortable and ordered a palace for royal guests to be built at a point halfway on the road to the Lavra where she went to pray. In 1752 the architect I.Michurin completed a palace in the Baroque style of Bartholomew Rastrelli, the Empress’s favorite architect. Since then the building has seen many ups and downs. At present time the well-restored palace is used for ceremonial receptions at the level of presidents and governments. It is named “Maryinskiy” after Maryinskiy Park nearby. |
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 Back in the 11th century the Dmitriyevskiy Monastery stood here. It was founded by the Prince Isyaslav Yaroslavich of Kyiv (Christian name - Dmitri). In July 1108 his son Sviatopolk (Christian name - Mikhail) started to build the stone Mikhailovska church inside the monastery built by his father. The dome was plated with gold, and the new cathedral and later the whole monastery became known as the Mikhailovskiy Gold-Domed. Along the northern border of the monastery extends the block of Barbara cells. Other cells on the side of Triokhsviatitelska Street are adjoining the bell tower. |
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 Podil is rightly considered to be one of the most popular districts in Kyiv. The refrain of a popular song begins with the words: «Kiev is impossible to be without Podol». It is an embodiment of the democratic spirit in our city. Craftsman worked here, businessmen traded here, the «fathers of the city» sat in the Magistrates’ Hall here, and they all prayed in the numerous Podil churches. The Desyatynna church – the first Christian church in Rus was built here, under its fallen walls the last defenders of Kyiv died during the Batu-khan’s invasion.This district is immortal as well as our city is. |
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 According to legend, St. Sofia’s Cathedral was built on the spot where Yaroslav the Wise won a decisive victory over the nomadic Pechenegs. For Yaroslav the Wise, the building of St. Sofia’s Cathedral was an act of assertion of the state power of Kyivan Rus. As a sign of the state’s status as the successor to the citadel of the Orthodox Church - Byzantium - the cathedral of Kyiv’s metropolitans was named after St. Sofia - the major holy place of Constantinople. According to the religious interpretation, the Greek word «Sofia» (wisdom) represented the embodiment of the Lord’s Wisdom - Jesus Christ. In the historical literature we find two dates for the beginning of its construction - 1017 or 1037. The correct date is a subject of argument to this day. In the 17th century, a monastery was established in the Cathedral’s precincts. In 1934 the site was turned into a state architectural and historic reserve - now known as the National Reserve - St. Sofia’s Cathedral. In 1990 it was inserted on the UNESCO World Heritage List. |
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