What to see in Kiev, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the Monastery of the Caves, the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, the Descent of St. Andrew and the Chernobyl museum.
Tourist information
Extending almost completely on the right bank of the Dnieper River, Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, represents one of the oldest centers in the country.
With wide avenues and beautiful churches with golden domes, the city boasts a harmonious combination of styles dating back to medieval, Soviet and modern times, an expression of the different cultures that have alternated here.
Kiev, whose origins date back to the fifth century, between the ninth and thirteenth centuries experienced a very flourishing period, became the capital of Kievan Rus, a monarchical state corresponding to a very large territory, which was the medieval cradle of the current states of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
The Monastery of the Caves is an impressive monastic complex founded in 1051 by the monk Antonio, who settled in the caves together with other monks, leading a life dedicated to prayer and study, when Orthodox Christianity was adopted as an official religion in Kievan Rus.
Topped with splendid golden domes, the complex is located on the hills of the right bank of the Dnieper River and is a sacred place, an important pilgrimage center for Orthodox Christians.
Due to the presence of this monastery, Kiev is known as Russian Jerusalem.
The complex is formed in the lower part by caves, used as a burial place for the monks, and in the upper part by splendid churches, including the Dormition Cathedral and rooms used as museums.
The Monastery of the Caves is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
What see
St. Sophia Cathedral is the oldest church in Kiev, built in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise who is buried here.
Magnificent golden domes rise at the top of the fascinating Cathedral which symbolizes the new Constantinople, one of the most significant buildings of the culture of Eastern Christianity in the eleventh century, inspired by Byzantine models.
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Its interior is full of mosaics and frescoes dating back to this period.
The Saint Sophia Cathedral is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Descent of St. Andrew is one of the oldest and most picturesque streets in Kiev, which connects the Upper Town to Podil, the lower part of the city.
In this steep winding street, lined with numerous stalls and souvenir shops, animated by street artists, there are, in addition to the house museum of the writer Mikhail Bulgakov, a particular construction known as the Castle of Richard, for its medieval appearance, and a museum dedicated to this historic street, where prominent personalities of Ukrainian and Russian culture lived.
At the top of the climb stands the Church of Sant'Andrea, built in Baroque style according to a project by the famous Italian architect Rastrelli.
The National Museum of Chernobyl is dedicated to the nuclear disaster that occurred in 1986 at the local nuclear power plant.
There are finds from the site itself and reconstructions that recall the heroic deeds of the first responders, many of whom died.
Three exhibition rooms contain documents, maps, photos, special equipment and memorabilia relating to the disaster area.
