In the 11th and12th centuries Kyiv was regarded as something of a second Jerusalem. Ukraine's oldest monastery is Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. It was founded in 1051 by the monk Antoniy. To this day it is possible to go down into the monastery's caves and see the preserved remains of holy men.
1. HOLY OF HOLIES
In the 11th and12th centuries Kyiv was regarded as something of a second Jerusalem. Ukraine's oldest monastery is Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. It was founded in 1051 by the monk Antoniy. To this day it is possible to go down into the monastery's caves and see the preserved remains of holy men. The Great Bell Tower is the largest free-standing tower in former Russian Empire. It contains a viewing platform which offers views both of the Lavra complex and the whole left bank of Kyiv.
2. WILD SIDE
You will never regret visiting Gydropark, the island in the middle of the Dnipro. In summer and spring it becomes the centre of enjoyment.. Here you can taste the finest shashlik, take views of Kiev river banks. You will see elderly couples dancing, people playing tennis and just having fun.
3. ANDRIYIVSKY MIRACLE
The lane of Andriyivsy Uzviz winds from the heart of Kiev down to the old mercantile centre of Podil. The lane is famous for St. Andrew's Church, built by Francesco Rastrelli. You can find numerous museums walking through the lane. All this atmosphere makes it a place for souvenir hunting where you can find almost everything.
4. BIRTHPLACE OF SLAVIC CRISTIANITY
Overlooking the ancient Dnipro you'll find a pleasant park with a great historical significance. This park is considered to be the spot from which Volodymyr converted the Rus to Christianity in the 10th century. A monument of Volodymyr holding a cross stands in the park, looking out across the mighty Dnipro.
5. WORLD's DEEPEST METRO
While taking a walk around Kiev don't forget to use metro. At a dizziness-inducing 105 metres, Arsenalna is the world deepest metro station. To catch your train you must go down a brace of escalators, one of which is 65 metres long! Be sure that you'll allow yourself plenty of time.
6. SANDY PLACE
Don't associate the city with snow, bears and bandits:) There's more than 125 hectares of sandy beach are in and around the city where crowds of people top up their tans.
7. UKRAINE'S IRON LADY
The memorial area of National state Museum of the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 is dominated by the huge statue known locally as Rodina Mat or the Iron Lady. This gigantic girl is one of the most enduring images of Kiev. She stands 45 metres tall and it makes her the fourth largest sculpture in the world, after the Statue of Liberty.
