If you are thinking of traveling to Kyiv, Ukraine, you are in the right place. Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine. The name Kyiv is based on the medieval legend of the fifth century. The city is said to be named after three brothers, Kie, Shceck and Khoriv, and his brothers Lebid. The Kyivan spelling of Old Ukrainian can be traced back nearly 1,000 years, and historical usage in English is documented in books and maps as far back as the 18th century.
The earliest writing of Kyiv in the English Oxford dictionary was in the literature in 1883. When Ukraine gained independence in 1991, many Ukrainians immediately adopted the name of their capital city as it had nothing to do with the previous administration.
Kyiv has a moderately continental climate, characterized by short but pleasant spring and autumn, along with hot summers and cold winters. If you don’t like extreme heat, the best time to visit Kyiv is spring. Normally, June, July and August are the warmest months, while December, January and February are usually the coldest. Since the average January temperature is about -6 degrees, it is known that the temperatures drop to -33 degrees with the north winds.
Snow and ice stay on the ground from November to March and life starts to get extremely difficult. Therefore, if you are going to the city during these months, you should make sure to pack warm clothes and warm shoes with good grip. In cold times the Dnipro River freezes. Locals often have fun clearing the snow from the Dnipro River and creating an ice rink. Others go fishing by digging a hole in the ice. In summer, thermometers in Kyiv usually stay above 30 degrees. With the effect of the climate, the weather becomes very uncomfortable and sticky.
Ukrainian is the official language in the country, but Russian is widely spoken. Russian is predominantly spoken in Kyiv and the eastern parts of Ukraine. Nowadays, most young people under the age of 25 speak English, but if you make an effort and learn some Russian or Ukrainian, you will be greatly appreciated by the public.
Like most Eastern European countries, there is a strong smoking culture in Kyiv. In recent years, many restaurants and bars in Kyiv have started to adapt to a healthier environment. Cigarettes and alcohol are much cheaper by Western European and American standards, but alcohol is strictly prohibited for individuals under the age of 18 and should never be smoked on the street.
Kyiv, like any major city, attracts petty criminals targeting tourists. However, Kyiv is still safer than most major cities and you are unlikely to encounter any serious crime. Violent crime is rare, but petty crimes such as snatching and money scams remain a serious problem. Take reasonable precautions and keep valuables out of sight, watch your pockets and bags in crowded places, and don’t walk alone in the quiet areas of Kyiv at night.
Always protect your important documents such as passports and plane tickets. In a possible misfortune, you may experience some indifference towards the cops. Stay calm while dealing with the police. If you are having problems, make it clear that you want to phone the embassy; this will encourage them to pay more attention to you.
If you want to make calls from your mobile phone, you should consider purchasing a SIM card. These are widely available in the country and relatively inexpensive. You can usually buy a SIM card at one of the many shops or street stalls if you bring a spare phone. To call Ukraine: +380 and you need to enter the city code.
Kyiv was the historical cultural center of East Slavic civilization and an important cradle for the Christianization of Kyivan Rus. Kyiv retained its cultural importance for centuries and even in times of relative decay it was a prime center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Its sanctuaries, which include the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) and the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, are probably the most famous, most popular pilgrims for centuries and are now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remain among the primary religious centers.
The places mentioned above are part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine Collection.
Kyiv theaters include the Kyiv Opera House, the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre, the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Theater National Academic Theater, the Kyiv Puppet Theater, the October Palace and the Ukrainian National Philharmonic and others. In 1946 Kyiv had four theatres, an opera house and a concert hall, but at that time most tickets were reserved for privileged groups.
Where Is Kyiv?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Kyiv. Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is located in the north of the country. Kyiv is 756 kilometers from Moscow. The city is located on the west of the Dnieper River.
When To Go To Kyiv?
The best time to go to Kyiv is in spring and summer, when all the botanical gardens are in bloom. Since the continental climate prevails in Kyiv, the autumn and winter months are quite cold and freezing due to the temperature values below zero. For this reason, it is recommended that you plan your arrival to the city between April and August.
Best Places To Visit In Kyiv
Goethe said of Kyiv, “I have seen cities with parks in them, but this is the first time I see a city in a park”. Kyiv is a very successfully planned city with both its being the capital of Ukraine and its natural beauties. In parallel with this, it has many places to attract tourists.
Maidan Nezalezhnosti
Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or Freedom Square, is the central square of the capital city of Kyiv. One of the main squares of the city, this place is located on Khreshchatyk Street in Shevchenko Raion. The square can be called by many different names according to the periods it was captured. However, it is often referred to simply as Maidan, or square, in everyday language.
Since the beginning of Ukraine’s independence movement in 1990, the square has been a traditional place for political rallies, including four large-scale radical protest campaigns. It was symbolized as Granite Revolution in 1989, Ukraine without Kuchma in 2001, Orange Revolution in 2004 and Euromaidan in 2013-14. Apart from political demonstrations, the square is one of the meeting and spending areas of the people. It also hosts festivals and concerts from time to time.
Independence Square is one of three squares located in Khreshchatyk, near the northeastern end of the street. It is close to European squares in style. Besides Khreshchatyk, which divides the square in half, several streets lead to the center of the square. These include Architect Horodecki Street, Institute Street, Michael Street, Kosciol Street, Little Zhytomyr Street, Sophia Street, Taras Shevchenko Lane and Boris Hrinchenko Street.
At the lower end of Sofis Street, which leads from the square above the city, stood one of the three main gates of Old Kyiv (Yaroslav City), the Lyadski Gates; The gates that made up the other two were the Golden Gate and the Zhydivski Gate. In 1240, this area of the city was stormy destroyed by Batu Khan’s Mongol army.
Some time in the 18th century, the new Pecherski Gate was opened; Until the early 19th century, this area was a somewhat empty place, also known as the Goat Swamp (Kozyne Boloto). In the 1830s, the first wooden dwellings began to be built on the site. Stone buildings appeared in the 1850s. The most famous Ukrainian writer, Taras Shevchenko, lived in a building in that area in 1859.
The region rapidly intensified after the mid-19th century, when Kyiv became the commercial center of the Russian Empire, which boomed during the Russian Industrial Revolution and became the third most important city. Until 1871, it was called Khreshchatyk Square. Events were being compiled in this square for the local market and public entertainment. In 1876, the Kyiv City Duma was built and the area became known as Duma Square.
With the independence of Ukraine, the name of the square, which has experienced many transitions historically, remained as Freedom Square.
Today, there is also a work in the middle of Freedom Square, where the heart of Kyiv beats. This monument, called the Victory Column, was placed in the square in 2001 on the 10th Anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. There is also a female statue decorated with rose branches on the 61-meter building, which contains Ukrainian Baroque and imperial styles in the same work. The statue named Berehynia is made of cast bronze and weighs about 20 tons. At the same time, one of the three gates used in the old times in the city is located in the square.
Address:Maidan Nezalezhnosti,02000 Kyiv
Directions: M1 and M2 metro lines stop at Maidan Nezalezhnosti. You can easily reach it by bus number 322.
Nearby Places: St. Sofia Cathedral, St. Michael’s Cathedral, Jellyfish Museum
Saint Sofia Cathedral
Saint Sofia Cathedral is one of the most important symbols of the capital. Since the foundation of the work was laid in the 11th century, its historical value is quite high. In 1990, UNESCO included it on the World Heritage List. In addition, the cathedral was selected as one of the seven wonders of Ukraine according to the 2007 game. According to some sources, the construction started in 1011, according to others in 1037.
However, UNESCO celebrated the 1000th anniversary of the cathedral in 2011, based on the knowledge that it was built in 1011 by Vladimir I.
The cathedral contains mosaics and frescoes from the 11th century. The works on the walls directly rendered scenes from the Bible, as in classical Christian buildings. In these frescoes, the political events of the period and historical personalities are also processed and a wonderful visual feast is presented. St. Sofia Cathedral, which contains 3 thousand square meters of frescoes, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990 and was taken under protection.
The surrounding of the cathedral is decorated with unique Ukrainian Baroque buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The mosaics and frescoes from the 11th century, preserved in the cathedral, form the world’s largest collection of frescoes and mosaics from this period and fascinate those who see it. Mosaics and frescoes on the walls of the cathedral directly embroidered scenes from the Bible, as in classical Christian buildings.
In addition, since the political events of the period and important historical personalities are added to the visual feast, the works represent history with great importance.
The cathedral, which hosts events by opening its doors to statesmen in important events such as coronation and welcoming ambassadors, was also used as the burial place of Kyiv knezs in the Middle Ages.
The cathedral, which was badly damaged in the Mongol invasion in 1240 as well as the looting of Kyiv by the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality in 1169, became a Greek Catholic Church over the years. The cathedral, which was restored to its baroque style in the 17th century, was overhauled by adding new sections around it.
Saint Sophia Cathedral, which was selected as one of the seven wonders of Ukraine in a national survey in 2007, was built in the Ukrainian Baroque style. In addition, the St. Sofia Cathedral, which was the scene of coronation ceremonies and ambassador welcoming ceremonies, was also used as a burial place by the Knezes during the Medieval Period.
Saint Sophia Cathedral, which takes its name from Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, has been used jointly by Orthodox and Catholics for a long time. According to the belief of the community that dominates the region, the cathedral has also spent periods when it served only Catholics or Orthodox. Today, it serves as a museum.
Located very close to Kreşatik Street and the city center, the cathedral is one of the most important points of the city. The cathedral has had to face many disasters since the day it was built. These include the sacking of Kyiv by the 1169 Vladimir-Suzdal Principality and the Mongol invasion in 1240. The cathedral went through various restorations after the damage and regained its baroque appearance in the 17th century. After the revolution in 1917, the demolition of the cathedral came to the fore.
However, this decision was abandoned when international reactions came along with the objections of many scientists and historians. Many buildings around the cathedral are 17th and 18th century baroque buildings. These buildings, together with the cathedral, gained the status of a museum in 1934.
There is a bell tower next to the cathedral. The top floor of the bell tower can be reached. At the top of the tower, a very beautiful bird’s eye view of Kyiv welcomes its visitors. To reach the top floor of the tower, which does not have an elevator, it is necessary to climb the stairs.
Address: Volodymyrska St, 24, 01001 Kyiv
Directions: After getting off at Maidan Nezalezhnosti stop from Altın Kapı metro, you can walk for 2 blocks.
Nearby Places: Cresatic Avenue, National Opera House, Freedom Square
Mariinsky Palace
Mariyinsky Palace, which is now the official ceremony venue of the president, is located on the banks of the Dnieper River. In addition, Mariyinsky Palace was used by the imperial family throughout history, served as a headquarters during the war, and served as a post-war school. The palace is adjacent to the Verkhovna Rada, the neo-classical parliament building.
The construction of the Mariyinsky Palace was decided upon the request of the Russian Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. For the design and construction of the building, it was agreed with Ivan Michurin, who was also a student of Bartolomeo Rastrelli, and a group of architects by the order of the empress. The building is one of the beautiful examples of baroque style architecture. The construction of the palace, which started in 1744, was opened in 1752.
The Mariyinsky Palace was built for the use of the empire. Although the Russian Empress Elizabeth Petrovna gave the order to build the palace, she could not see the finished state. The first person to stay after the palace became usable was Empress II from the royal family. It was Catherine. Until 1787, the palace served the imperial family privately. After this date, the palace became one of the locations preferred by the governorships. The palace housed the governorships in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The palace, which faced fire many times, eventually came to a state of destruction. It was rebuilt in 1870 by Konstantin Mayevsky using old drawings. A park was built next to the palace by the order of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, who was staying in the newly rebuilt palace. The park, built in 1874, was called Tsarsky. After the revolutions that took place in the city, the park began to be called Mariyinsky Park.
There are also various monuments and tombs of famous people in the park. You can take a peaceful walk through the greenery in the park.
During the Russian Civil War between 1917 and 1920, the palace was used as the Kyiv headquarters, especially during the Kyiv Bolshevik Revolt. Although in the 1920s the building was left under the care of an agricultural school, it was soon converted into a museum. Palace, II. It was badly damaged in World War II. For this reason, it was almost rebuilt with restoration work at the end of the 1940s. Another major restoration was completed in the early 1980s and opened to visitors.
Address: 5A, Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St, 01008 Kyiv
Directions: You can reach the Arsenalna Metro Station by walking 150 meters in the northwest direction.
Nearby Places:Liberty Square, St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral, National Art Museum of Ukraine
Kyiv Golden Gates
The building, which was built by Yaroslav Mudri, the founder of the Kyiv City State, was used for military purposes. Called simply the “Gate of the Sky” by the Kyivans, the gate, whose full name was Zoloti Vorota, was the main gate of the fortifications surrounding the city. This gate was built between 1017 and 1024 and was inspired by the gate used as the central gate in Constantinople at that time.
The reason for this similarity is that the rulers of the city at that time had very good relations with the Byzantines. As a result of these relations, some artifacts in the city began to resemble those in Constantinople.
The gate was destroyed in the medieval period. In 1982, the Soviet authorities who ruled the city had the gate rebuilt. But in this door there is no remnant of the old one. The reconstruction of the gate caused great controversy at that time, but the gate was rebuilt anyway. In fact, the gate, which forms a whole with the city walls, is still standing despite the collapse of the walls. The gate is known as the “Sky Gate” among the people because the sun rises on it. There is also a dome at the top of the door, which is made of stone and wood.
In the past, there were many castles in the area between the South Castle and Freedom Square. The length of the walls surrounding this area was 3.5 meters. There were three gates inside the walls. The Zoloti Vorota, Lyadski and Zhydivski gates, which are called the South Gate, stand out as three of the gates on the walls.
There is a golden dome on the Blahovist Church built next to the door. This dome can be seen even from outside the city. The dome is so striking that the door has begun to be called the golden door. One of the most striking points of the city, Zoloti Vorota, as well as the Golden Gates, are very interesting for tourists. One side of the gate also houses the National Sanctuary, the Sophia of Kyiv Museum.
There is also a cat statue next to the door. Many rats once lived in the area. Neither poisons nor traps could cure the rats. One day, this cat in the statue caught mice one by one and rightfully won his love. The cat, who lost his life in a fire, is immortalized with this statue.
Address:Volodymyrska St, 40А, 01034 Kyiv
Directions: You can reach Zoloti Vorota Metro Station by walking 100 meters to the north or by bus number 368.
Nearby Places:St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, National Opera House, Blahovist Church
WWII Museum
The WWII-themed National Museum of the History of Ukraine is a memorial complex to commemorate the German-Soviet War located on the southern outskirts of the city. The museum is located on the hills on the right bank of the Dnieper River, on the Pechersk district of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The museum has been moved twice from where it was ceremonially opened on 9 May 1981 by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev to its current location.
On June 21, 1996, the museum confirmed the current status of the National Museum by a special decree signed by the then President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma.
Over 21 million visitors have attended the museum to date, one of the largest museums in Ukraine, which has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kyiv and is now centered on the famous 62-metre statue of the Motherland.
The memorial complex covers 10 hectares on the hill overlooking the Dnieper River. A site with WWII military equipment is famous for its giant monuments. One of the exhibits in the museums displays the armament used by the Soviet army after the Second World War. Sculptures on the street depict the Soviet frontier from the 1941 German invasion, the horrors of the Nazi occupation, the partisan struggle, the work devoted to the home front, and the brave defenses from the Battle of the Dnieper.
The monumental sculpture called Motherland, commissioned by Yevgens Vucetich, is 62 meters high in the museum building and weighs a total of 530 tons. The sword on the right of the statue is 16 meters long and weighs 9 tons. In the left hand are the arms of the Soviet Union weapons and the shield.
The museum is famous for its huge monuments. At a height of 62 meters from the center of the complex, there is the Statue of the Motherland with a total height of 102 meters and a weight of 530 tons. The statue is holding a sword 16 meters long. The weight of this sword is 9 tons. The WWII Museum, one of the largest museums in Ukraine, has been visited by more than 21 million people to date.
The name of the museum, which is famous for its giant monuments, was determined as the “Great Patriotic War Museum” when it was opened. However, with the decision taken by the Ukrainian parliament in 2015, the words connoting communistism were removed from the buildings, streets and avenues. With this decision, the name of the Great Patriotic War Museum was changed to the Second World War Museum.
At the entrance of the museum complex, the inscription “Heroes do not die, they live forever” welcomes its visitors. There are many giant monuments in the complex. Among them, there is also a monument symbolizing all cities. There is also an unquenchable fire in the complex, which symbolizes eternal existence. Inside the museum, there are personal belongings of soldiers, Soviet partisans, war correspondence, medals, military equipment and torture instruments used by the German Army.
In addition, documentaries of this period and wars are shown. One of the sections in the museums exhibits the armament used by the Soviet army after the Second World War.
Address: Lavrska St, 24, 01015 Kyiv
Directions: You can reach the Pecherska Station by walking for about 10 minutes to the north, and you can stop by the Caves Monastery on the way.
Nearby Places: Monastery of the Caves (Lavra Pechersk), Statue of the Protector of Kyiv (Rodina Mat)
Andrevsky Slope
Andrevsky Slope, located in the Podil quarter, which is the old city district, is located between Hagia Sophia Square and Kontraktova Square. This slope, which is a historical street, was known as the slope separating two different sections of the people in the old times. The upper part of the slope was used as the main center of the city. Therefore, the upper part was mostly used by the upper class of the people who ruled the city and were wealthy.
The lower part of the poorer people lived on the lower side of the slope. This distinction was made according to the economic situation of the people.
Many important structures were built around the slope, which was first built in the 15th century. The buildings increased the importance of the slope even more. The slope, which was enlarged in 1711, turned from being a slope used only for pedestrians to a slope used by horses and became one of the main roads.
The length of the slope is 735 meters. Today, there are antique shops and souvenir shops along the historical slope. The antique market, which is set up every Sunday in the area where many restaurants and cafes are located, attracts great attention from both local people and visitors of the city. When you go up Andrevsky Slope, you will see the green-domed St Andrews Church, originally named Andryevskaya, built in the 18th century. Yokuş takes its name from this church.
The church takes its name from Andrew, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. According to rumors, Kyiv used to be covered with water. St. Andreas, one of the apostles of Jesus, came here and extended the stick in his hand to the place where the church was. Thus, the water went down and land appeared. The church was built on this spot. A bird’s eye view of the slope can be taken in the area next to the church. This spot offers a very beautiful view.
Andrevsky Descent, one of the most touristic spots of the city, is crowded every time of the year. The slope, which is closed to vehicle traffic, is also known as the boulevard. The slope, paved with cobblestones, is very popular.
Address:23 Andriivski Descent, Kyiv
Directions: After getting off the M2 metro at the “Pochtovaya Ploshchad” station, you can take the “Mikhailovskaya Square” funicular.
Nearby Places: St Andrews Church, Bulgakov Museum, St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral
Shevchenko Park
The park, which includes a botanical garden, a zoo and a dolpinarium, is one of the must-see places in Kyiv. There is also a theater stage in the park. The construction of the park began in 1804. After a year of work, Shevchenko Park was opened in 1805. The construction of the park was undertaken by the famous Vasiliy Karazin, the founder of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, also known as the Red Building.
The park is located next to the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Therefore, the park is frequently used by university students. Students who are bored with class, want to get some fresh air, relax or do sports spend a lot of time in this park. It is quite possible to come across students playing chess while walking in the park.
There is a monument in the park. Shevchenko Park is a park dedicated to the poet Taras Grigorovich Shevchenko, who played a very important role in the development of Ukrainian literature. The monument is one of the symbols of this dedication. The monument was inaugurated on March 6, 1939, on the 125th anniversary of Shevchenko’s death. There are various monuments to Shevchenko in various parts of the world. But the monument in this park is the most beautiful among them.
Flowers are left at this monument on the special and official days of Ukraine, which declared its independence in 1991. The flowers, which were started to be placed on the monument to commemorate the anniversary of Shevchenko’s death, continued to present flowers to the monument on every important day after a while.
The park is one of the most favorite places where Kyiv citizens and their guests spend time. It also includes a restaurant. You can try delicious Ukrainian dishes in this restaurant. You can have a drink at the cafe of the park, which is one of the most important walking and sports routes in Kyiv, so you can take your break. Many cultural events are held in the park on important days of Kyiv. As it is one of the meeting points of people, it is also one of the starting points of many strikes and protests.
Address: Tarasa Shevchenko Blvd, Kyiv
Directions: You can get off at the “L’va Tolstoho” station from the M2 metro.
Nearby Places:National Opera House, St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, Ukrainian Health Museum
Pechersk Lavra
Pechersk Lavra, one of the important monasteries of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, was translated into Turkish as the Monastery of the Caves. The main reason why the Pechersk Lavra is called the Cave Monastery is the caves under the monastery. The original name can be resolved by dividing it into two. Lavra, in Greek, means street, town, great monastery, while Pecherskaya comes from the Russian word for “peshchera”, meaning cave.
The monastery, which is also on the Unesco World Heritage list, is called Lavra for short. Pechersk Lavra, a complex of monasteries, is the center of 18 churches. Six of the churches are underground. There are many sections in this complex. Chief among these is the “Micro Miniature Museum”.
The monastery, built in 1051 during the reign of Prince Yaroslav I, is one of the first monasteries of Kyiv. Anatoly, who came to Kyiv to spread monasticism, lived in a cave in the Dnyepr. Anatoliy, who continued to live in this cave with the people who joined him, also performed his prayers in the underground caves. This group, which became more and more crowded, continued their worship above ground after Prince Yaroslav I provided an area above the caves.
In 1718, a great fire broke out in the Caves Monastery. Restoration works were carried out after the damaged Pechersk Lavra, and these works were heavily influenced by the baroque style. With the revolution in 1917, the monastery was closed for use. It was reopened as a museum.
The monastery, which was transferred to national status in 1996, is included in the national cultural historical protection area. II. The Caves Monastery, which was affected by the Nazi bombing in World War II and partially destroyed, has undergone various restorations and opened as a place of worship.
There are many rumors about the cathedral. One of them is that the caves underneath extend to the Dnieper River. Another rumor is that there is a tunnel under the monastery and that it is connected with an underground church in the neighboring city of Cherginov. The Pechersk Lavra also gives its name to a district in Kyiv.
Address:Lavrska St, 15, 01015 Kyiv
Directions: You can easily reach the entrance of Pechersk Lavra by bus number 470.
Nearby Places: WWII Museum, Arsenalna Station
St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral
St. Michael’s Cathedral, which draws attention with its golden dome, is one of the most important religious buildings in Kyiv. The construction of the sanctuary, which started in 1108, took 5 years and was opened in 1113. st. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral is thought to belong to the Svyatopolk family, which also contains tombs. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with stunning frescoes and mosaics. At the top of the church, there is a monument dedicated to Michael, one of the archangels.
The Golden Domed Cathedral has faced many disasters since the day it was built. It has survived to the present day in very good condition, as restoration works were carried out regularly after each disaster. The cathedral had a hard time during the Mongol attack in 1240. During this attack, the golden domes were hidden and then put back in place.
The cathedral has undergone minor changes and has become what it is today. There are also works by Dimitrije Avramovic, one of the famous Serbian artists of the 19th century, inside the cathedral. Icons on the walls and arches attract the attention of visitors.
st. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral is located in the European square at the end of Kresatik Street, the busiest street in Kyiv. It is also located at the top of Andrevski Slope. It is forbidden to take photos in St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral is also held from time to time. The square in front of the cathedral is also filled with events on important days.
st. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral, there is also a monument. Known as the Famine Victims Monument, the monument was built in honor of those who lost their lives in the Holodomor in 1932 and 1933. The artificial famine experienced during the reign of Stalin affected millions of people in Ukraine. While nearly 8 million people lost their lives due to hunger, it resulted in the complete destruction of some villages.
In 1933, as a result of the famine, there was no place to bury the dead, and when there was no place to bury the dead in the cemeteries and empty areas, the bodies were thrown into the wells. A monument was placed next to the cathedral so that this bad event would not be forgotten.
Address: Triokhsviatytelska St, 8, 01601Kyiv
Directions: After getting off at Poshtova Ploshcha Station from the Kyiv funicular, you can walk 200 meters to the west.
Nearby Places:Kreshatik Street, Andrevski Slope, St. Sofia Cathedral
National Opera House
It is the third opera house to be opened in the country after the National Opera House, Odessa Opera House and Lviv Opera House. The building, which was started to be built in 1867, was put into service in 1901. The name was later changed to Taras Shevchenko National Opera House, after Taras Shevchenko, one of the important poets of Ukrainian literature.
The building, which has a baroque architecture from the French Renaissance period, also houses the Fine Arts Museum. The opera house with a capacity of 1650 people, which will be at the top of the list of places to visit in Kyiv, was built on an area of 40 thousand square meters.
Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin, one of the prime ministers of the Tsarist Russia period, was shot dead in the Ukrainian National Opera House in Kyiv. The last words of Pyotr Arkadevich Stolypin after he was shot were “It is an honor to die for the Tsar”. Stolypin’s tomb is located in the Pechersk Lavra, now known as the Monastery of the Caves.
Drawing attention with its magnificent appearance, the National Opera House welcomes thousands of people every year thanks to its acoustics. The opera house, where mostly works from Ukrainian and Russian literature are exhibited, is also used for various festivals. Hourly and guided tours are also available to visit the Taras Shevchenko National Opera House.
In addition, watching an opera and witnessing sound acoustics will be a unique experience. The Taras Shevchenko National Opera House is centrally located, very close to many other tourist attractions.
Address: Volodymyrska St, 50, 01030 Kyiv
Nearby Places: Golden Gate, St. Volodymr Cathedral, Freedom Square, St. Sofia Cathedral
Bulgakov Museum
Bulgakov Museum, one of the most visited museums in the city, is the house where the famous novel and playwright Mikhail Afansyevic Bulgakov lived. Born in Kyiv in 1891, Bulgakov faced the ruler of the time, Stalin, because of the works he wrote. The publication and reading of the works he wrote during this period was prohibited. Although Bulgakov wanted to leave Kyiv, this request was blocked and he was forbidden to go out of the city.
The author of the novels “The Master and Margarita” and “Heart of a Dog” later settled in Moscow, where he died of kidney failure.
The museum, which was decided to be converted into a museum in 1989, was opened in May 1991, on the 100th death anniversary of the author. The building was built in 1888 and its architecture was undertaken by the Garden. It contains Bulgakov’s belongings, books and paintings. The museum, where a total of 2500 pieces are exhibited, conveys the life and creativity of the author and his circle. At the same time, Bulgakov’s writings and unpublished works are also exhibited.
Bulgakov Museum, located on Andrevsky Descent, is one of the most touristic spots. There is a statue of Mikhail Afansyeviç Bulgakov at the entrance of the museum, which is visited by thousands of people every year. Various events are also held at the museum. Seminars on literature, book club events are held, providing documents for research.
Address: Andriivs’kyi descent, 13А, 02000
Directions: You can walk 400 meters to the east from Poshtova Ploshcha Station.
Nearby Places: Andrevsky Ascent, Sophia Kyivskaya Church
St. Volodymyr Cathedral
Located in the center of the city, St. Volodymyr Cathedral is the center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches and the Kyiv Patriarchate. One of the two most important cathedrals of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is St. Volodymr’s Cathedral. The mosaics of the cathedral, which is very colorful inside, were made by Venetian masters. The Orthodox Patriarchate proposed building a large cathedral in Kyiv to celebrate the 900th baptism anniversary of Vladimir I, the first baptized Russian Prince.
Upon this suggestion, the Russian Empire started to collect donations all over the country. In 1859, most of the money necessary for the construction was collected. Another important monastery in the city, the Pechersk Lavra, known as the Monastery of the Caves, donated the bricks it produced for the construction of the cathedral. Although the construction of the cathedral was completed in 1882, it took 1896 to complete the interior.
The cathedral was built in the neo-Byzantine style. Schtrom, Sparro, Bernhardt, Mayevski and Nikolayev undertook the architectural task. The final version of the design belongs to Alexander Vikentievich Beretti. The cathedral has seven domes and three apses. In the traditional style cathedral, the height of the main dome is 49 m.
The impressive frescoes inside were made by Wilhelm Kotarbiński, Mikhail Nesterov, Mykola Pymonenko, Pavel Svedomsky, Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, and Viktor Zamyraylo under the supervision of Adrian Prakhov. The painting of the Blessed Mother of God on the altar apse was made by Vasnetsov and impresses with its simple beauty. st. At the entrance door of Volodymr Cathedral, the Bronze relief statue of St. Olga, Princess of Kyiv, welcomes the visitors.
In 1920, the cathedral was badly damaged during the Soviet war with Poland. The cathedral, which was subsequently damaged during the Second World War, was still not closed. Today, it is one of the most interesting spots for tourists. It is also among the important cathedrals for Christians. Every year, thousands of people go to St. Arriving at Volodymr’s Cathedral.
Address: Tarasa Shevchenko Blvd, 20, 02000
Directions: You can reach by bus passing through Ivana Franka Street stop.
Nearby Places: Golden Gate, National Opera House, Shevchenko Park
Pirogovo Open Air Museum
Kurazh Bazar, which was established a little outside the center of Kyiv, is one of the points where you can find everything you are looking for. Kurazh Bazar, which has the concept of “flea market”, is one of the monthly markets. Adopting the once-a-month concept, Kurazh Bazar is established on one weekend of each month.
In the market, nearly 400 different vendors sell antique and vintage as well as new and unused products on their stalls. Drawing attention with its cheap prices, Kurazh Bazar is one of the shopping spots where many interesting and different products come together.
It is possible to see and buy many products such as second-hand clothes, used goods, antiques, toys, and unused tools in the market. In addition to being a preferred point for shopping, it also stands out as one of the places to be visited in terms of tourism. As long as the market is open, you can also have the opportunity to listen to live music, shop at the stands that have opened, and taste traditional Ukrainian street delicacies. Kurazh Bazar is used as a kind of festival area.
Here you can both shop and have fun. At the same time, people make the market even more colorful with their use of colorful clothes, make-up and accessories. You can eat inside as well as buy fruits, nuts and traditional Ukrainian foods and take them to your country as a gift.
Address:Belomorskaya 1 – Art Zavod Platforma
Directions: You can reach Vystavkovyi Tsentr Station by trolleybuses numbered 11, 12 and 43 and buses numbered 1, 801 and 825.
Nearby Places:Mykola Syadristy Microminiatures Museum, Kyiv Academic State Puppet Theater
Transportation In Kyiv
When you travel to Kyiv, you should also know how to get there. Since traffic signs in Kyiv are written in the local language with Cyrillic alphabet, it is useful to have a dictionary at hand to find your way. Google Maps offers very good coverage and forecasts of public transport and roads in Kyiv for foreigners. The Maps.Me app can also be useful during the trip with its offline support.
If you want to travel by bus, you have the option of two slow-moving city tour buses, the bus (автобус) and the trolleybus (тролейбус). The bus, which you can take from the vaguely marked stops, is usually very crowded during rush hour. When you get in the vehicle, you have to buy a ticket and verify the ticket by drilling a hole with one of the small perforators attached to the writings inside. If you can’t go near the hole punch, you’ll need to ask someone to validate your ticket for you.
You can also travel by route taxi or minibuses called “Marshrutky”, although with less comfort. They work with the minibus logic in our country. However, before you come to the stops, you have to call these vehicles out loud.
Marshrutka (shuttle) routes can be difficult to understand, but where the window is, there is a list of stops and a Metro logo for the metro stop. The best way to figure out where they’re going is to ask some locals.
The most popular taxi apps in Kyiv are Uklon and Uber. These apps are the easiest, safest and most popular way to find a taxi in Kyiv. Although some of the taxi drivers can speak English, it will be useful to learn the local name of your destination. You should also not forget to check the taximeter.
If you want to take the funicular, you can use the old funicular to get to Podil from the upper city.
Boats cruising on the Dnieper River stop at Poshtova Ploshcha. In summer, it is possible to go to Mezhyirya or Kaniv regions by boat over the Dnieper River. There are also short city tours of the ships departing from the pier.
If you are going to use the metro; The metro is one of Kyiv’s pleasures. The city has a clean and fast subway system and three subway lines. The lines are separated by the colors red blue and green. Metros stop at 52 stations in total.
The Kyiv metro system is not complicated. In addition to the Cyrillic alphabet, you can find your direction with signs written in English. For more passes, it will be profitable to buy a metro pass or a monthly season ticket. While watching the Soviet architecture at the stations, your metro will arrive in 2 minutes at most.
Kyiv Cuisine
Your trip to Kyiv continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Kyiv. In general, it is very cheap to eat in Kyiv by European or US standards. Apart from the tourist or elite venues, you can find great and cheap food around the city. You should not leave the city without trying borscht, chebureki, Kyiv chicken and mlyntzi. Baked foods are pretty cheap and delicious. On top of hot meals, you can find great ice cream shops on the streets. Among the most popular restaurants in Kyiv where you can taste the rich foods of the Ukrainian Cuisine; Shoti, Yoshi Fujiwara, Goodman, Caravan and Kureni.
When you see vendors selling some liquid from large yellow or blue tanks found on the street, you can be sure it’s “Kvass“, a brewed bread drink. Some people like it, some people hate it. This fermented beverage, which tastes a bit like malt, has a very low alcohol content, which is acceptable for children’s consumption.
You should not drink tap water in Kyiv. It is recommended to buy water bottles from supermarkets for your water needs. You can check whether the water is normal or soda from the English content, and you can buy beer in Kyiv for almost the same price as water.
Shopping In Kyiv
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Kyiv trip with shopping? To get rid of its Soviet past, Kyiv has established large shopping centers and supermarket chains with all the characteristics of big cities. An incredible advantage of any supermarket is the convenience that allows you to save your precious time and buy all the products you need at once.
Today, you can visit many remarkable souvenir shops in the center of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on Shevchenka Boulevard, Kreschatik Street, Krasnoarmeyskaya Street. has. One of the most popular places to buy souvenirs is Andreevsky Spusk, where you are sure to find something to your taste.
As in the world’s largest capitals, Kyiv also has the world’s largest stores and brands. The best of Kyiv shopping is concentrated in the heart of the city, from gorgeous malls with a great selection of goods to beautiful niche stores selling almost everything.
Many tourists turn to bottles of vodka as souvenirs before leaving Ukraine. This is quite logical, because these drinks have always been considered famous symbols of Slavic culture. Today, you can buy high-quality drinks in many of Kyiv’s shopping malls and liquor stores.
Kyiv Nightlife
When you travel to Kyiv, do not leave without tasting the nightlife! Kyiv is one of the Ukrainian cities famous for its nightlife. Nightlife in the capital is generally centered around famous clubs, except for certain events. Even though Kyiv clubs are numerous and crowded, they are quite safe. Face checking is very common for security in high-end nightclubs. Although the entertainment culture of Kyiv is a little different, usually the girls working in the club are tasked with spending more money at the venue during the night than the boys.
On the other hand, many clubs are relatively inexpensive compared to the west. You can be sure that you will have a great time if you respect and follow the rules of etiquette at the venues in the city. In addition, entertainment in clubs usually continues uninterrupted from 22:00 to 06:00 in the morning.
D*lux; It is on the side of the old Dynamo Kyiv football stadium. This venue is quite a famous dance club and the first thing that catches your eye is how stylish it is. Entry is quite expensive compared to other clubs, but the market for the dance scene in Kyiv is also generally expensive. In the building consisting of several floors, you can find the cloakroom on the ground floor, the restaurant and bar on the upper floor, and the dance floor on the other floor.
Forsage; It is a fairly large 3-floor club located near the National Aviation Agency and is a popular venue mainly visited by local students. The venue is generally famous for its foam parties. This place, where DJs take the stage and European-style music plays every night, is not very expensive, but is open from 22:00 in the evening to 07:00 in the morning on weekends.
Crystal Hall; It is a very large entertainment center. This is one of the newer clubs in Kyiv since it opened in January 2010. It has a large dance floor as well as sophisticated sound and lighting. The venue, which appeals to a younger crowd, has more stage shows.
Caribbean Club; It is a popular place for salsa lovers. One of the oldest clubs in Kyiv, this place is fun and has a good atmosphere. Attracting people since 1998 with its stage featuring local and foreign music artists, the venue is a well-known place for foreigners and mostly English-speaking staff are always helpful to customers . This place, which is always crowded, is relatively cheaper than other entertainment venues.
It’s not very big inside but the atmosphere is quite fun. The venue includes a dance club, terrace restaurant and a lounge area for the Harem, as well as an area for karaoke. You can be sure that you will have a good time in this place, which differs from other businesses in Kyiv with its concept and sense of entertainment.
Club Openwork; Located in the Avalon complex. This place is definitely different from the others and is a place of surreal entertainment. The karaoke center on the upper floor hosts hundreds of people in the venue, which has been renovated with the renovation. In addition to traditional Ukrainian entertainment, you can also spend time in the bar and restaurant when you go to the venue. You can spend a pleasant evening in this place where you will pay almost the same level as other places.
Kyiv Festivals
Kyiv opens its doors to millions of visitors every year at international festivals. Some of the important festivals that you should not miss when you go to Kyiv are;
Kyiv Fashion Week: In the festival held in March, fashion shows of domestic and international designers and new fashion trends are showcased.
Kyiv Documentary Film Festival: It is an annual festival held in March, where visitors get their fill of documentary during the event.
Kyiv International Advertising Festival: In the festival held in May, the creative works of participants from all over the world are examined and their awards are distributed.
Kyiv Spring International Debate Tournament: In the festival held in May, debate tournaments are organized within the framework of the rules set in international standards.
Kyiv International Short Film Festival: In the festival, which is held every October, the short films of the year are reviewed by the jury, and award ceremonies and colorful celebration events are organized.
Kyiv Public Holidays
- New Year’s Holiday (January 2)
- Christmas Holiday (January 9th)
- International Women’s Day (8 March)
- Easter (April 17)
- Labor Day (May 1-2)
- Victory Day (May 8-9)
- Feast Of The Trinity (June 5)
- Constitution Day (28 June)
- Independence Day (August 24-25)
- Day Of The Defender Of Ukraine (October 16)
Useful Information For Kyiv
- Emergency Assistance: 103
- Fire: 101
- Police: 102
