A2-15 · Kyiv: The City of Golden Domes

Kyiv: The City of Golden Domes

Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. It was founded more than 1,500 years ago on the hills above the Dnipro River. Kyiv is often called "the city of golden domes" because its old churches and monasteries have shining gold roofs.

St. Sophia's Cathedral. The cathedral was built in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Inside, the walls are covered with old mosaics and paintings. Some of them are almost a thousand years old. From its tall bell tower, you can see the whole center of the city.

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. This huge monastery was founded in 1051 by two monks who lived in caves under the hill. The caves can still be visited today, but you have to carry a candle. The Lavra has many churches and museums, and it is visited by thousands of people every week.

Andriivskyi Descent. This steep old street goes down from the upper town to the river port. It is called "the Montmartre of Kyiv" because artists sell their paintings there. The writer Mikhail Bulgakov lived in house number 13, which is now a museum.

Khreshchatyk. The main street of Kyiv was destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt in the 1950s. At its end is Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Independence Square. On weekends, the street is closed to cars, and it is filled with families and street musicians.

In 1990, St. Sophia's Cathedral and the Lavra were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. If you visit Kyiv, don't forget comfortable shoes: the city is built on hills, and the best places are seen on foot!