St Sophia Cathedral
Dating back to the 11th century, the exquisite green and
gold-domed St Sophia Cathedral was an important power centre for
the Soviet Union. It has been damaged and repaired many times over
the years, and today is a blend of architectural styles from nine
different centuries. Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of
the cathedral is its impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics and
frescoes that date back to its inception. A UNESCO World Heritage
Site, the St Sophia Cathedral also serves as a living text:
hundreds of pieces of graffiti relating to political and historical
events spanning the centuries can be read by visitors today.
Address:
24 Vladimirskaya Street
St Sophia Cathedral, Kiev
Gebruiker Markv
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery)
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (the Caves Monastery) is a fascinating
living piece of history dating back to 1051. The Venerable Anthony,
a devout monk, settled in a cave on the western bank of the Dnieper
River. He was soon joined by his followers and their numbers
swiftly began to outgrow the caves. Prince Izyaslav and other
Kievan aristocracy were frequent visitors to the Venerable Anthony
and donated money to build a church and aboveground monastery.
Since that period, the monastery has continued to grow and is still
active today, serving as an important centre of Orthodox
Christianity and reflecting a fascinating way of life.
Address:
25 Sichnevogo Povstannya Street
Caves Monastery, Kiev
Alexander Noskin
National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World
War
The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second
World War is dominated by the enormous Motherland Monument, looking
like the sword-wielding sister of the Statue of Liberty. The museum
houses a fascinating collection of World War II artefacts in a
Soviet-built building. Decommissioned tanks sit outside,
symbolically painted with flowers and nearby another interesting
statue entitled 'To the Fallen' serves as a memorial to all those
who fought and died in the war. Although most of the museum notes
are in either Russian or Ukrainian, the exhibitions are well laid
out and the displays are fascinating.
Address:
24 Lavrska Street
The Motherland monument
Matvey Andreyev
Hydropark
Summers in Kiev can be notoriously hot, and locals know that the
best way to beat the heat is a trip to Hydropark Island. Less an
amusement park than an entertainment development, Hydropark is
located on the Dnieper River and offers attractions like sandy
beaches, water rides, riverboat trips, paintball, bungee jumping,
an ice rink, casino, and more. At night the island is a jungle of
neon lights, with restaurants, bars and nightclubs playing music
until early in the morning. Hydropark is connected to the mainland
by the Metro, Rusanivka, and Venetian bridges.
Address:
Located on the Dnieper River
Hydropark Beach
timsdad
Kiev's climate is continental, with hot summers and cold
winters. July to August is the hottest period, with temperatures
ranging from about 57°F (14°C ) to 77°F (25°C), whereas December to
February is the coldest period, with temperatures averaging between
24°F (-4°C) and 30°F (-1°C). In winter, the city's rivers tend to
freeze over, creating a winter wonderland and allowing for
ice-skating and ice fishing. Snow cover is common from November to
March.
Boryspil International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 18 miles (29km) from
Kiev.
Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between March and
October).
Transfer Between Terminals:
For passenger convenience a free shuttle bus operates for access
between terminals as well as transport to the airport hotel.
Getting to the city:
Sky Bus provides a service from the airport to the centre of
Kiev. The service is direct and cost-effective. Official taxis are
also available.
Car Rental:
Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Budget and Avis operate from the
airport.
Airport Taxis:
Designated airport taxis are available from Arrivals and
Departures at a fixed rate.
Facilities:
There are banks, currency exchange and ATMs throughout the
airport. A variety of shops and duty free stores are available, and
there are several cafes, restaurants and bars. Other facilities
include luggage wrapping, left luggage, a travel agency, and
special services for the handicapped.
Parking
There are both short-term and long-term parking options at the
airport.
Kiev has an extensive public transport system, including buses,
trams, trolleys and a metro (the fare is the same for all).
Although the metro does not cover the entire city, it is still the
fastest way to get around, particularly as the bus service can be
unreliable and crowded at peak hours. Privately owned minibuses
(known as
) are also available; they can be flagged down
anywhere along their routes and will usually have stops listed on
their windows. Official taxis can be pre-booked by phone or hailed
on the street. Private, non-metered cars may also stop; be sure to
negotiate a price up front when choosing this option. Parking can
be a problem in the city centre. Exploring the city on foot is
perhaps the best way to experience its many cultural attractions,
though keep in mind all signage is in the local language. It is
well worth taking the funicular on the steep western bank for
fantastic views.
Although the city has seen many highs and lows in its long
history, Kiev's cultural attractions are a constant, guaranteed to
occupy sightseeing travellers. A leafy capital city, filled with
old domed buildings and evidence of new wealth, Kiev is still
largely untapped as a tourist destination - by European standards -
and promises some surprises, part old-school Russian and part 'New
Ukrainian'.
Highlights in the city include St Cyrill's Monastery, a tiny,
12th-century church with some incredible restored frescoes; the
UNESCO-listed St Sophia Cathedral; the Great Patriotic War Museum
and the Motherland statue which looms above it; the National
Chernobyl Museum, which details the tragic events of the nuclear
accident which shook the country in 1986; the riverside Mariyinsky
and Khreschatyk parks, perfect for a stroll or a jog; and the
fascinating Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Monastery. On hot summer days
visitors will enjoy boating and other watersports and games at
Kiev's popular Hydropark.