• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

Kiev Ukraine

INTRODUCTION

This capital and the largest city of the Ukraine is located in the northern central part of the country on the Dnieper River.

Nicknamed “the northern Rome”, this ancient capital of the Ukraine has evolved rapidly in the last twenty years since independence from the USSR and nowadays attracts both foreign visitors and a new class of recently moneyed Ukrainians. Kiev has spectacular gold-domed churches and intriguing old monasteries, several, with networks of underground tunnels. Other attractions include watching a game with the resident football team, the Dynamo Kyiv, and a variety of cheap Ukrainian foods.

HISTORY

Kiev was established at the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 6th century. By the end of the 9th century, the city became the political center of the Eastern Slavs. Christianity was introduced to the city in 988 by Great Prince Vladimir and became the official religion of the Kievan Rus.

In 1362, the Great Duke of Lithuania captured the city. Kiev was under the command of Lithuanian and Polish dukes for the next one hundred years before being freed by the People's Liberation War of 1648-1654. Kiev was once more under its own government, but this wasn't to last. The entire country of the Ukraine plunged under a long period of domination by the Russian Empire when it sought the protection of the Russian Tsar in the Treaty of Pereyaslavl in 1654. The Russian government controlled Kiev and the rest of the Ukraine from that time to the fall of communism.

In January 1918 after the fall of Russian Empire, the independence of Ukraine was announced, and the Ukrainian National Republic was established. Yet when the Russian Bolshevik Party seized power, they expanded their sphere of control into the Ukraine, and it became a part of the Soviet Union. On August 24, 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine proclaimed its independence once more. This was the beginning of a whole new period in the history of Ukraine and its beautiful capital. Through all this political mayhem, Ukraine's spirit and national identity has never died.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

It is frugal to use the public transport (buses, trolleybuses, trams and subway) to get around the city. A passenger fare is 50 kopiykas per ride, and this fare is the same for buses, trams, subway trains and trolleybuses.

Kiev is quite a safe city, and the most foreigners usually have to worry about is pick-pocketing and cheating in the markets. Travelers should keep any valuables, important documents and money in a safe place and not flaunt them in public. You can also obtain a special money-holder at almost every local shop for travelers.

ATTRACTIONS

Kiev Pecherska Lavra?

National Opera House?

St. Sophia Cathedral?

Golden Gate?

The Horodetsky Building?

Funicular?

Mariyinsky Palace?

Andriyivsky Uzviz?

Independence Square?

Khreschatyk Street?

RESTAURANTS

SSSR - This restaurant tries to bring together the broad scope of cuisines of the former Soviet Union countries. It is divided up into several geographical regions such as Central Asia, Siberia, Far East, etc. In the Uzbek area each guest can enjoy all the delights of Chaykhana. In "Georgia" you can watch the process of baking a pita (lavash) or cooking a mouthwatering shashlyk. There is also an aquarium from which a diner can pick his or her own fish.

At Panikovsky's - This restaurant is named after Panikovsky, the swindler from Ilf and Petrov's novel "Golden Calf," which has gained extreme popularity and nation-wide adoration. The original interior is decorated with the objects and furniture of the first decades of the 20th century. Dishes are named for pithy expressions from the popular film: "I Would Take It in Parts, but I Can't - I Need All" (surgeon steak with vegetables), "Everything Will Be Extremely Good" (chicken in bacon with piquant sauce and baked vegetables), "And Suddenly, All at Once" (salmon cooked in champagne, served with fried leek, potatoes and delicious sauce). It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that you don't want to pass up.

Le Grand - This is a plush restaurant that offers the best of Ukrainian and European cuisines amid the atmosphere of romance and style. The wine list is well matched with the menu and offers a good selection of wines and strong drinks from all over the world.

Fruktopia Baboon Cafe – This popular cafe dishes up cuisine that stretches geographically from California to the Mediterranean Sea. Salads and soups, cold and hot appetizers, main dishes and desserts are all creatively cooked and served. Don't forget to taste the fresh squeezed juices.

Grand Plaza - This highly versatile restaurant, open 24 hours a day, has a friendly environment, bursting with genuine Ukrainian hospitality. Salads and hors d'oeuvres, soups, meat and fish dishes are mainly served in traditional European ways.

Lipsky Osobniak - "Lipsky Osobniak" is the only restaurant in Kiev that specializes solely in Ukrainian haute-cuisine. The chef takes his inspiration and recipes from the Imperial golden age of Ukrainian cooking, managing to adapt them to modern methods and styles without losing the essence of each dish.

LODGING

Tourist Hotel - Located on the left bank of the Dnepr River, the Tourist Hotel is the largest hotel in Kiev at 27 floors. The hotel is located within 10 minutes of Kiev's center by metro. This hotel is quite affordable for all travelers.

Ukraina Hotel - This hotel is one of Kiev's most comfortable, yet is still affordable. Its convenient location in the cultural and business center of the city places its residents close to major business offices, theatres and museums.

Rus Hotel - One of the most popular hotels in Kiev, it is perfectly located in the center of the city. The Hotel resides close to the Olympic Stadium, Palace of Sports, and many central streets of Kiev.

Faraon Hotel - This five-star hotel is placed directly over the Dnepr River. With 22 comfortable and well-equipped rooms with a view to the river as well as a variety of business and recreation facilities, the Faraon Hotel features first-class service and maximum comfort.

Impressa – The Impressa, centrally located in Podil, offers historic charm and understated luxury at reasonable prices. All rooms are individually decorated and air-conditioned.

Opera Hotel – This elegant hotel is located just a stone’s throw from the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, making it popular with culture vultures. The main Kreshchatyk Street is within easy walking distance.