Dave and I didn’t have much time to spend in Kiev, but we were able to see some of Kiev’s main attractions. Among them are Pechersk Lavra and Andrew’s Descent. Andrew’s Descent (also known as Аndriyivskyy Uzviz) is one of the most beautiful and famous streets in Kiev.
Andrew’s Descent is a steep cobbled street that winds its way up from Kontraktova Square to Volodymyrska Street, with a vaguely Monparnasse feel. Its highlight is the stunning gold and blue St Andrew’s Cathedral. It was a working day afternoon, so Andrew’s Descent wasn’t crowded at all. We walked down a good part of this street and returned back the same way. Many cafes, restaurants, theaters, studios, art galleries, artists who create unforgettable images of beauty can be found here. There were numerous retailers with various decorative souvenirs from Kiev.
A plaque with the street name: Andriyivsky Uzviz.
A view of St. Andrew’s Cathedral that greets the throngs at the top of Andrew’s Descent. The cathedral was built in 1754 by Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also designed the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.
On the way back we took some pics of ourselves right at the beginning of the street.
While walking through St. Michael Square, we noticed the St. Michael’s golden-domed monastery with cathedral and bell tower as seen in the picture below. St Michael’s Monastery is named after Kiev’s patron saint. As the bright and shiny cupolas imply, this is a fresh (2001) copy of the original St Michael’s (1108), which was torn down by the Soviets in 1937.
This year, Ukrainian Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter on May 1. The traditional attributes of this celebration are the so-called “pisanki” and “krashenki” – painted and colored Easter eggs. April 23rd, the VI Ukrainian festival of Easter eggs began at Sophia Square in Kiev. This exhibition with more than 300 works of Ukrainian artists lasted until May 9th. We were lucky that this incredible exhibition was not over by the time we visited Kiev.
This is the spherical cinema Atmasfera 360 in the shape of the Easter Egg (Pisanka). Atmasfera 360 is a real-time 3D fulldome environment that visualizes and simulates the known Universe according to accurate, up-to-date scientific data. The software provides up to 4K resolution graphics which, combined with a beautiful soundtrack, gives a revolutionary viewing experience. I wish we had more time to visit this interesting mini-planetarium.
A short walk took us to St. Sophia cathedral, which hosted a part of the Easter Eggs exhibition as well. The high bell tower dominates the entire grounds of the St. Sophia Museum. The Bell Tower was the first brick building to rise on the grounds of the St. Sophia Monastery after the 1697 fire.
Approaching St. Sophia’s Cathedral (behind Bell Tower). Named after the great Hagia Sofia (Holy Wisdom) Temple (currently a mosque) in Istanbul, St Sophia’s Byzantine architecture announced the new religious and political authority of Kiev. It was the center of learning and culture, housing the first school and library in Kiev Rus. Adjacent to the Royal Palace, it was also where coronations and other royal ceremonies were staged, treaties signed and foreign dignitaries received.
The St. Sophia square was packed with brightly painted giant Easter eggs as well. Incredible art pieces.
The Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument (1888) dedicated to a Cossack hero Bohdan Khmelnitsky is one of the oldest sculptural monuments, a dominating feature of Sophia Square and one of the city’s symbols. The monument is located almost in the middle of Sophia Square on the axis that unites both bell towers of the Sophia Cathedral and the St. Michael’s Monastery.
We enjoyed walking through a few nicely decorated passages like this one.
We had a very nice lunch from the street vendors at the outdoor table settings. Food and deserts were absolutely delicious.
Independence Square, or Maidan Nezalezhnosti, is the central square in Kiev, the main and the most beautiful one. Parades, concerts, festivals and other city arrangements and holidays take place on this square. The square has much to offer: a huge building with the tower and chimes, the Trade Union Association Office and other attractions.
Independent Ukraine has a short history, and pretty much all of it was written here. Popularly known as Maidan, the square was the site of pro-independence protests in the 1990s and the Orange Revolution in 2004. But all of that was eclipsed by the Revolution of Dignity in the winter of 2013–14, when the square was transformed into an urban guerrilla camp besieged by government forces. That winter the Maidan was covered in smoke from burning tires and filled with army tents, field kitchens and stacks of firewood. Now it’s full of revelers, street musicians, souvenir vendors and skateboarding teenagers. Independence Square was one of our favorite places in Kiev.
The Lyadski Gates at Independence Square is a monument built in 2001 to commemorate one of the Medieval Kiev city gates. At the top is a sculpture of Archangel Michael which is the city’s symbol.
McDonald’s looks differently in the building like this. No, we didn’t have a meal there. 🙂
Kiev were getting ready for the Eurovision Song Contest at that time.
This beautiful spherical fountain is located on Independence square near the conservatory.
The Independence Monument is a victory column located at Independence Square in Kiev and is commemorated to the Independence of Ukraine. The column topped with a figurine of a ancient goddess (Berehynia) with guelder-rose branch in her arms.
Founders monument in Kiev. One of the fountains of Independence square is decorated with statues of legendary brothers Kie, Schek, Horiv and their sister Libed. According to Nikon’s Russian Primary Chronicle they chose the place for the city foundation and decided to name it in honor of the elder brother Kie. The sculpture composition on the central square of the Ukrainian capital depicts the four founders of the city.
Day walk on Khreschatik, main Kiev street. Kreshchatik (named after a river now running in a pipe underneath) is a great place for an evening stroll and watching locals. This street is at its best during weekends, when it’s closed to traffic and becomes a giant pedestrian zone.
I have never as many coffee shops like on Kreschatik. 🙂 Reminds me a comedy of Lewis Black, where he found the end of the universe in Houston, Texas. Lewis Black was surprised to find two Starbucks across the street from one another.
Someone here was selling funny toilet paper. I couldn’t miss taking a picture of it.
Kreschatik at night is beautiful and enjoyable to walk. It looks liked an additional music tent was just established.
We also took a walk on Institutskaya Street. A lot of history there… Also, the Kiev symbol chestnuts just started blooming.
Chestnut beautiful bloom.
While walking Insitutskaya street, Dave bought me a bouquet of these incredible wild lily flowers. To me, no flowers smell better than these.
Arrived at Kiev airport.
Stopped at duty free shop to buy some delicious candy before our flight to Vienna. So long, Kiev! We enjoyed your hospitality.
