Walking around Kiev and visiting the National Museum of Ukrainian History

What to see in Kiev in one day - people wonder, who by fate's fate found themselves in the city by passing through. For example, those who are in the capital on a business trip. Of course, one day you can not see all the monuments, architecture, sights of the city, visit the National Museum of Ukrainian History, churches and parks. But with the help of Kiev guides you can make an interesting walk through the old part of Kiev.

Khreshchatyk: the beginning of the excursion

Usually the tour begins with Independence Square, each building on which and each stele is a story. Here you can spend the whole day bypassing all the sights. It is impossible not to notice the monument to the founders of Kiev, not to approach the sculpture of Archangel Michael, pass by a zero kilometer, on the stele of which is indicated the kilometer to the cities and capitals of different countries of the world.

After walking along Khreshchatyk before turning to one of the most beautiful streets of Kiev - Proreznaya, tourists find themselves in a cozy park, where they will meet with the hero of the novel "The Golden Calf" - Panikovsky. Further up the street Proreznaya - the exit to the Golden Gates and the monument to Prince Yaroslav the Wise.

Golden Gate

The Golden Gate was built in 1164 during the reign of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. The name of the gate is given, evidently, by analogy with the gateway to the entrance to Constantinople. It was both the defensive part of the city and the main entrance to Kiev. The gate defined the border of the ancient city. High earthen ramparts surrounded the city. Many ambassadors of the states of Europe and the East who came to the prince to establish friendly relations saw this gate. Above the gate there is a gate church - the Annunciation.

History of the Sophia Church

The path of the excursion moves further along the street. Zolotovorotskaya. Turning on the street. Vladimirskaya, guests of the capital are on the Sofia Square. Tradition says that the square was a field near the city walls. On it in 1036 Yaroslav the Wise crushed the Pechenegs. On the site of the battle the following year, the Cathedral of St. Sophia was built, and the square in front of him was named after her in Sofia's honor.

The cathedral is in the UNESCO heritage list and is included in all city guides with recommendations that to look in Kiev for one day. In this regard, St. Sophia Cathedral does not belong to any religious organization, being a museum relic of Ukraine. You can go to the territory of St. Sophia Cathedral yourself and together with the guide. The entrance is through the bell tower of the St. Sophia Cathedral.

Prices for excursions in Kiev for one person - ranging from 20 to 80 hryvnia (45-180 rubles). On the territory of the cathedral, the burial places of the Kiev princes are open to visitors. Here rest: Yaroslav the Wise, his son Vsevolod and his sons - Rostislav Vsevolodovich and Vladimir Monomakh. From here the tour goes to Mikhailovskaya Square, where the pearl of the capital stands, the main temple of Ukraine is the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. On the Mikhailovsky Square there is a monument to Princess Olga. On the pedestrian part of the square the symbol of Kiev is a monument to Bogdan Khmelnitsky, erected in 1888.

National Museum of History of Ukraine

On the street. Desyatinnoy excursion back to the beginning of the street. Vladimirskaya, which goes to the Andreevsky Descent. On the one hand is the St. Andrew's Church, and on the other - the National Museum of Ukrainian History. Previously, it was called the city museum of antiquity and arts. The museum was opened in 1899 and until 1944 was in another building, on the Starokievo mountain. Now it is in a building that is an architectural monument, built in 1937-1939 by the project of architect Karakis Joseph Yulyevich. By the way, his projects built buildings in almost every major city of the former USSR.

The museum stores valuable collections from the field of ethnography, thousands of coins represent numismatics, there are original products made of glass and porcelain. A unique firearm and cold steel was collected. The collection of archaeological excavations is represented by more than 350 000 exhibits known outside of Ukraine. In the storage fund - more than 600 000 ancient rarities.

In museum halls there is an exposition of development of a society from ancient time up to now. It reflects the excavation materials of the Mezinskaya and Kirillovskaya camps of the Stone Age, tribes of Tripoli, engaged in farming. Interesting for review materials from the period of Kievan Rus.

The National Museum of History of Ukraine includes the Museum of Historical Treasures of Ukraine. In his catalogs there is a collection of Scythian gold and a collection of Jewish cult silver. Exhibitions of the museum are exhibited annually in different countries of the world. According to the materials collected in the museum, research work on the history of Ukraine is carried out. When you leave the museum, it takes 10 minutes to get to Andreevskiy descent.

St. Andrew's Church

Probably, this is the most visited place in Kiev. In the upper part is the St. Andrew's Church with its very curious history. The church was built by order of Empress Catherine II. According to legend, the terrace leading to the temple is enchanted. Who will pass on these steps - will fall in love with Kiev for life.

And another legend tells why there is no belfry near the temple. As the old-timers said then, that the temple is standing on the water, and the ringing can awaken the water of the "dungeon", and the universal deluge will come. Yes, all these are myths, legends and tales, but they saved the temple from destruction by the Bolsheviks. Although they were atheists, they were afraid to blow up the St. Andrew's Church.

The place where the church was erected was chosen correctly. She is at the height of a hill. And from wherever they looked at it: from Podil or Andreyevsky descent, it seems to soar in the sky, like a white winged swan.

Andrew's Descent

Why do they like to visit Andreevsky guests and residents of the city? He, like a magnet, collects creative people.

Life boils here from morning till night. Artists, musicians, artists, craftsmen of all kinds of crafts come. Here you can buy from talented people all that they offer as gifts and souvenirs. Andreevsky descent can not be run for 10 minutes. He himself, as a museum rarity, will detain the guests of the city literally near each tray, an art exhibit, a unique building - the Castle of Richard and the Literary and Memorial Museum of M. Bulgakov.

Walking in the center of Kiev, the guests of the capital will pay attention to the fact that the center is not built up by high-rise buildings and does not become ultra-modern. This is the value and feeling that you walk around the pristine city of Kiev.