Sightseeing tour in Kiev with the guide
We will show you Kyivo – Pecherska Lavra, St. Sophia Cathedral, Golden Gate, National Opera House, Mariyinsky Palace, Volodimir Cathedral, Volodimir the Baptizer Monument, Babin Yar ( the place where repressive acts of German fascists took place during the war), St. Nicolas Catholic Cathedral, Andriyivsky Uzviz (Andriyivsky Descent), the Horodetskiy building (the house of himeras), St. Mihaylo Cathedral, narrow streets of downtown where each building has its own history.
Khreschatyk
Khreschatyk is the main street in Kyiv. It was recent-ly renovated into one of the most scenic and beautiful places that combines the features of a busy business center with the historical architectural design of buildings.
The street leads to Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the city’s main square and one of the most popular places of meetings. On weekends, the traffic is blocked on Khreschatyk, and visitors can enjoy a nice walk right in the middle of the street.
Mariyinsky Palace
The gorgeous blue-and-cream palace designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli was built in 1750 under the supervision of Russian architect Ivan Michurin and is located on top of the hill in a beautiful park. The magnificent building was used as Kyiv residence of the Tsar family. Today the palace is used for official state receptions such as presidential meetings and international conferences. It is open to tourist groups by appointment as well.
National Opera House
The theater is located in down-town Kyiv, near the Khreschatyk st. The beautiful exterior of the building is suppor-ted by the majestic interior design.
Much of the thea-ter’s creative efforts are concentrated on productions of classical Ukrainian and Russian operas and ballets. Professional actors, creative lighting, and bright decorations leave the most memorable impression about Ukraine's dramatic art.
Volodymyr the Baptizer
On the slope of the Volodymyr Hill stands the imposing mo-nument to Prince Volodymyr who is also called the Baptizer of Rus. He converted Kyivan Rus to christianity in 988. The bronze statue was erected in 1853.
St. Nicolas Catholic Cathedral
The cathedral was built in 1899-1909 by the architect Horotetskyi. The building is placed on one of the central streets (Chervonoarmiyska St.), and it can be easily recognized by its distinctive Gothic style and a pair of beautiful needle towers. It was restored in 1980 and now is used as both the concert hall for organ music and the church where Roman Catholic services are held.
Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra
The Dnipro hills are dominated by the greatest monument of Kyiv, the Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra, built almost nine centuries ago. A complex of churches, masterpieces of architecture by themselves, has been a holy place of worship for devoted Christians.
Famous for its catacombs with the saints’ relics, Lavra is also called the Monastery of Caves. Museum collections of miniatures and church treasures amaze visitors from all over the world.
St. Sofia Cathedral
St. Sophia's thirteen gorgeous golden domes nicely blend with the city skyline. The grandiose ensem-ble was built by Prince Yaroslav the Wise in the XI century in commemoration of the victory over the Pecheneg tribe. The cathedral became a major cultural and political center of Kyivan Rus and a site for receiving ambassadors from many countries. St. Sophia is famous for its outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the eleventh century.
Volodymyr Cathedral
The structure of this Russian Orthodox Church which was built in 1882 reflects features of the Neo-Byzantine style. The murals of the church interior done by famous Russian painters present considerable artistic signify-cance. The mosaics of the authorship of Venetian masters and the choir music performed in the cathedral are not to be missed. The building is located on one of city's central streets, Tarasa Shevchenka blvd.
The Horodetskyi Building
One of the most interesting buildings in Kyiv is located in a very quiet and peaceful part of the downtown. A well-known architect Horodetskyi built the house as a private residence in 1902-1903. The walls and the roof of the structure are decorated with intricate sculptural ornaments of mythological and hunting themes. The building is considered one of the most fascinating architectural creations in Kyiv.
Andriyivsky Uzviz (Andriyivsky Descent)
The most ancient and steep street in Kyiv, Andriyivsky Uzviz, is Kyivites’ favorite place for outdoor fairs, festivals, and concerts. Art galleries, shops, and studios make Andriyivsky Uzviz the best place to shop for Ukrainian crafts and artworks. Cultural museums located here reveal the history of the legendary street and of the whole Kyiv. Overlooking Andriyivsky Uzviz and Podil the old section of Kyiv, stands the Ukrainian Baroque church of St. Andrew designed in 1754 by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. This five-domed church remains the major adornment of the upper city. The Castle of Richard in the modernized Gothic style built in 1902 is another distinctive feature of Andriyivsky Uzviz.
Tour to Kachanovka Estate
Near the main entrance to national historical – cultural preserve you will be met by harden stone lions. Behind them there are golden-red of trees and white palace with elegant round tour.
Paths of Estate will lead you to 12 picturesque ponds. It’s mythical affection to figures! There are exactly 12 fireplaces inside of the palace. The harmony bounds everything here: pergolas and shadow paths, apple-cherry garden, aerial park bridges and full of legends hills of Love and Devotion.
In summer house of composer Mihail Glinka you can still feel particular spirit of poetry-musical secular parties. Aristocrat Tornovskiy, the owner of Estate, invited the best representatives of creative intelligentsia to visit him. For the period of 250 years the Estate saw such famous writers as Gogol, Kulish, Kostomarov and Yavornitskiy. Well known artist Ilya Repin depicted his “Zaporozhtsi are writing letter to Turkish Sultan” here. In Kachanovka Estate two parts of famous opera “Ruslan and Ludmila” were performed by Glinka. The famous Ukrainian national writer Taras Shevchenko found his love here. In this times the Glory of Kachanovka spread far away of Ukraine. The biggest and the most romantic park of Ukraine attracted famous and talented people by it’s creative atmosphere saved till recent times.
Kachanovka Park is ideal place for resting on weekend. In the day time our guide will show you property and environment. You will get a lot of pleasure exploring all hidden paths and near forest. Friendly atmosphere and appetite barbeque with homemade wine will be waiting you in the evening.
Tour to Sofievka
Love creates wonders
It forces stones to speak,
Trees - to blossom,
birds – to sing.
It can transform life into
Exotic paradise garden.
That is exactly the same garden powerful Polish aristocrat Felix Pototskiy presented to his beloved wife Sofiya more then two centuries ago.He called it in her honor – Sofievka.
This unique Uman park has all rights to be named European Pearl.
It’s unbelievable stories about it’s hostess destiny affects imagination of poets, historians and travelers.
Creator flowed water on the Earth and through ancient stones on it.
“Beloved presents to Sofiya”- said Felix Pototskiy about his creature.
The eights wonder of the world.
The history of Sofievka started from that moment aristocrat Pototskiy had heard about the old dream of his beloved Greek lady Sofiya to have beautiful park silence shadow linden trees paths, marble sculptures which will remind her left far away homeland.
Sofiya’s words touched soul of Felix. His highly – romantic nature was looking for relaxation in devoted and eternal love. He was fired with idea of creation handmade park which would perform the best architecture assemble ever seen before and would be worthy gift for his beloved lady.
