Kiev - is one of the largest cities in Europe, administrative, economic, scientific, cultural and educational center of Ukraine. There are more than 2,5 million inhabitants in Kiev.

Modern Kiev is developing dynamically, it is renovated and restored, and therefore Kiev attracts a growing number of tourists.
According to the legend, Kiev was founded by Kiy in VI - VII centuries. The geographical posion of the city contributed to its rising: there were the most important trade routes "from the Vikings to the Greeks", in Constantinople (Constantinople), in Asia, the Don, in Novgorod. Over the centuries Kiev has repeatedly passed into the hands of various nations and peoples, when in 1934 it became the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Kiev has a great cultural stock - there are more than 30 museums, about 2000 unique architecture, 33 theaters, a huge number of permanent art exhibitions in the city. The main attractions of the city, which became its "calling card" - are Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, St. Sophia Cathedral, Golden Gates, St. Andrew's Church, Kreshchatik and Independence Square.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra - the oldest monastery in Kievan Rus - was founded in 1051 by Yaroslav the Wise. The original monastery was a cave, till the times the cave became a place of burial of dead brothers. In XI-XII centuries the monastery was one of the cultural centers of ancient Russia. The Old Russian chronicles, including Nestor lived and worked in Lavra.
At the beginning of the XVII century the first printing house in Kiev was founded in Lavra. Each era has left its mark on the architecture of the monastery. Today it consists of three different in volume groups: a relatively flat plateau is Upper Lavra, the buildings on the territory of the Nearby Caves are located on the hillside, and further on a dais, a group of buildings on the terrotory the Far Caves is placed.

Sophia Cathedral - is an outstanding monument of Old Russian architecture, which is the main temple of the metropolitan of Kiev. It was founded in 1037 and during its existence was reconstructed several times. Its present appearance in the forms of the Ukrainian baroque cathedral was acquired after the restructuring in the late XVII century.
The interior was preserved almost unchanged. The greatest value of the cathedral - is the frescoes of the XI century depicting the saints, portraits of the prince's family, the prince's hunting scene, dancing buffoons.
Sophia Cathedral is the part of the reserve, which is the only sanctuary on the territory of the former Soviet Union to be awarded by the gold medal of UNESCO. National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv", together with the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra were included to the list of world heritage by UNESCO.

Vladimir's Cathedral is a traditional Russian architecture, it is six-column church with three apses, topped with seven domes. The length of the building is 55 meters, width - 30, and height, together with the cross - 49 meters. Building's facade is decorated with mosaic works by the artist A. Frolov.

The cast bronze reliefs with images of Princess Olga and Prince Vladimir the Saint can be seen on the massive bronze doors of the main portal. Cathedral was founded in 1862, but its construction, complicated by technical difficulties, was dragged on for almost thirty years - from 1862 to 1896.

Erection of a building was headed by Academician V.N. Nikolaev with the participation of the architect K. J. Majewski and engineer J. Birkin. During the protracted construction architect Robert B. Bernhardt brought some changes to his project. The solemn consecration of the cathedral took place on August 20, 1896 in the presence of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.
Golden Gate - is another monument of the times of Yaroslav the Wise. It was erected in 1017 - 1024 and was the part of the fortress wall. Despite of its military mission, they have high artistic value. There is a small church above the gate.
St. Andrew's Church was founded in 1744 because of the visit of Elizabeth I to Kiev. This church is a baroque pearl. Draft of the church was made by V.V. Rastrelli. Five-domed church has a dome shape of the cross, in the corners of which decorative towers on massive pillars are placed. The interior of the temple is close in style to the Rococo.

Kreschatik - is the central line and the central business district of the capital. Building up of Kreshchatik began from the end of XVIII century, as well as the formation of the street - 30 - 40-ies of XIX century. At the end of XIX century  mainly three-storey building with shops, facilities for offices and banks, etc were erected on the street.

In the early twentieth century running water, sewerage, gas, electricity and tram (the first in tsarist Russia) have been here. After the Second World War Kreschatik was significantly affected. During the reconstruction, he was turned into a broad line, whose width in some places reaches 100 m. There is a building of the Kiev city council, the Central department store, Metro Station Khreschatik and "Independence Square", a number of administrative offices, shops, hotels, cafes on Kreshchatik.

Independence Square - is the central square in Kiev. Until the XVIII century there was a swamp on its place. The first wooden buildings have appeared in the 30's of the XVIII century. Until 1871 the square, which then was called Hreschatitskaya, was the market, where were circus, carnivals took place.

In the 50's of XIX century the Noble House of Meeting was built on the square. The house of Gudowskiy, which until 1979 stood between the streets M. Zhytomirskaya and Mihaylovskaya, Shevchenko lived in 1859.

Kiev - is one of the greenest cities in the world. There are more than 60 parks, linden and chestnut trees blossom on its streets. In the parks of Kiev can have a great time, enjoying the nature. Main City Parks - are Botanical gardens, water park, Park of Glory, Trukhanov Island, Vladimirskaya Gorka with a spectacular view on the left bank of the Dnieper.

There is also a zoo in Kiev, where 2.000 animals from all over the world are living.

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