Kyiv on foot:
online city guide
online city guide
It is impossible to get to know Kyiv in a few days. It requires careful study, the desire to open each time something new. After all, the city has things to surprise you and to show off. To not let you get lost in the list of all must see objects, Realist has prepared for you a list of those places that need to be seen first. We suggest you to wear comfortable sneakers, or loafers, and go ahead! We're hitting the road.
For the help in preparing the material, we thank the Kyiv guide Maxim Derbenev.
Golden Gate
The Golden Gate (Zoloti vorota) is a unique historical memorial, built in the XI century in Kievan Rus. They are named after the Golden Gate of Jerusalem, through which Jesus Christ entered that city. In due time, they defended the city from enemy attacks, being unassailable. In front of them, there used to be a huge moat, 15-meter wide and 8-meter deep, which lasted until the XIX century. In the times of Kievan Rus, the Golden Gate was a triumphal arch for the prince; only he had the right to go through them on horseback — all the rest, only on foot.
Now the Golden Gate is under a special reconstruction case. Here is a museum, which anyone can visit.
Now the Golden Gate is under a special reconstruction case. Here is a museum, which anyone can visit.
Golden Gate
The Golden Gate (Zoloti vorota) is a unique historical memorial, built in the XI century in Kievan Rus. They are named after the Golden Gate of Jerusalem, through which Jesus Christ entered that city. In due time, they defended the city from enemy attacks, being unassailable. In front of them, there used to be a huge moat, 15-meter wide and 8-meter deep, which lasted until the XIX century. In the times of Kievan Rus, the Golden Gate was a triumphal arch for the prince; only he had the right to go through them on horseback — all the rest, only on foot.
Now the Golden Gate is under a special reconstruction case. Here is a museum, which anyone can visit.
Now the Golden Gate is under a special reconstruction case. Here is a museum, which anyone can visit.
Monument to Yaroslav the Wise
A stone's throw from the Golden Gate is a monument to the Kievan Prince Yaroslav the Wise — a significant person in Ukrainian history. It was during his reign, when the Golden Gate was built, at which foot the prince solemnly sits. In his hands, he holds a kind of model of the St. Sophia Cathedral. To the naked eye it looks like a cake. That's why locals call the monument "A Man with a Cake." By the way, if you look closely, you can count the prince's five hands. They are on the back of the lower part of the monument. It was the sculptors, who left prints of their hands to perpetuate themselves. If the size of the print and your hand coincide, then you need to immediately make a wish. For confidence, you can also rub the knee of Yaroslav the Wise.
Monument to Yaroslav the Wise
A stone's throw from the Golden Gate is a monument to the Kievan Prince Yaroslav the Wise — a significant person in Ukrainian history. It was during his reign, when the Golden Gate was built, at which foot the prince solemnly sits. In his hands, he holds a kind of model of the St. Sophia Cathedral. To the naked eye it looks like a cake. That's why locals call the monument "A Man with a Cake." By the way, if you look closely, you can count the prince's five hands. They are on the back of the lower part of the monument. It was the sculptors, who left prints of their hands to perpetuate themselves. If the size of the print and your hand coincide, then you need to immediately make a wish. For confidence, you can also rub the knee of Yaroslav the Wise.
Termen Fountains
This is Kyiv's pride, our piece of France. If you were at the Place des Vosges in Paris, you'll probably notice how much these fountains look alike. They were created by architect Alexander Schiele, who brought the French accent to the capital of Ukraine. In Kyiv, there are five large and two small fountains — a small park near the Golden Gate, Mariinsky Park, Chkalov Park, Ivan Franko Square, City Garden, a small park in the Oles Gonchar Street, and Police Garden.
Termen Fountains
This is Kyiv's pride, our piece of France. If you were at the Place des Vosges in Paris, you'll probably notice how much these fountains look alike. They were created by architect Alexander Schiele, who brought the French accent to the capital of Ukraine. In Kyiv, there are five large and two small fountains — a small park near the Golden Gate, Mariinsky Park, Chkalov Park, Ivan Franko Square, City Garden, a small park in the Oles Gonchar Street, and Police Garden.
Baron's Castle
This building appeared in Kiev in the XIX century. It's called that way because some baron lived nearby, so everyone thought it was his castle, not a modest house. On the building you can see images of real chimeras. There was a legend that a balcony on the fourth floor served as a springboard for the Kyiv witches. However, for history, this house is important for other events. In the early XX century it was here, where the "nest" of the Czech resistance was seated; it was here, where the future revolutionaries of the Czech Republic used to hold their gatherings.
Baron's Castle
This building appeared in Kiev in the XIX century. It's called that way because some baron lived nearby, so everyone thought it was his castle, not a modest house. On the building you can see images of real chimeras. There was a legend that a balcony on the fourth floor served as a springboard for the Kyiv witches. However, for history, this house is important for other events. In the early XX century it was here, where the "nest" of the Czech resistance was seated; it was here, where the future revolutionaries of the Czech Republic used to hold their gatherings.
House of Actor
In fact, this is a kenesa. This is a house of prayer built by the Karaites — an ethnic minority, professing a separate current in Judaism. The kenesa was built in the Moorish-Arabic style. Its layout is a kind of symbiosis of mosque and synagogue layouts.
House of Actor
In fact, this is a kenesa. This is a house of prayer built by the Karaites — an ethnic minority, professing a separate current in Judaism. The kenesa was built in the Moorish-Arabic style. Its layout is a kind of symbiosis of mosque and synagogue layouts.
Igor Sikorsky's courtyard
The man, who invented the world's first helicopter, was born in Kyiv. It was in this courtyard, where the first ideas of a new mode of movement were developed. In due time, Igor Sikorsky emigrated to the United States, where his helicopters are still popular.
Igor Sikorsky's courtyard
The man, who invented the world's first helicopter, was born in Kyiv. It was in this courtyard, where the first ideas of a new mode of movement were developed. In due time, Igor Sikorsky emigrated to the United States, where his helicopters are still popular.
Courtyard with ravens
In 2006, amazing guests came to Kyiv — ravens. In one of the courtyards in the downtown Kiev, there is a specially designed cage for pitch black feathered dwellers. Animal rights activists even once broke it to free the birds. But after a while they came back. The ravens are very friendly, they love attention and playing with visitors. By the way, a raven is considered an unofficial symbol of the city.
Courtyard with ravens
In 2006, amazing guests came to Kyiv — ravens. In one of the courtyards in the downtown Kiev, there is a specially designed cage for pitch black feathered dwellers. Animal rights activists even once broke it to free the birds. But after a while they came back. The ravens are very friendly, they love attention and playing with visitors. By the way, a raven is considered an unofficial symbol of the city.
Sophia Cathedral
Historians are still arguing when the Saint Sophia Cathedral was actually built. The historical landmark is full of unsolved mysteries. On the territory of ancient Kyiv, it has been standing for almost a thousand years. In ancient times, there was an opinion that if the Sophia Cathedral collapsed, Kyiv would collapse. And one day it almost happened. During the Soviet era, the authorities planned to blow up the cathedral. But the Sophia Cathedral was rescued by the French, who delivered an ultimatum to the USSR: if they destroyed the historical landmark, France would sever diplomatic relations with them.
Sophia Cathedral
Historians are still arguing when the Saint Sophia Cathedral was actually built. The historical landmark is full of unsolved mysteries. On the territory of ancient Kyiv, it has been standing for almost a thousand years. In ancient times, there was an opinion that if the Sophia Cathedral collapsed, Kyiv would collapse. And one day it almost happened. During the Soviet era, the authorities planned to blow up the cathedral. But the Sophia Cathedral was rescued by the French, who delivered an ultimatum to the USSR: if they destroyed the historical landmark, France would sever diplomatic relations with them.
Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theater of Ukraine
The building appeared in 1901. After its construction, it attracted not only attention of admiring citizens, but also troubles. So, in 1911, the Prime Minister of the Russian Empire Peter Stolypin was shot here. During the World War II, the theater roof was broken by a bomb, which fell right on the scene but did not explode.
Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theater of Ukraine
The building appeared in 1901. After its construction, it attracted not only attention of admiring citizens, but also troubles. So, in 1911, the Prime Minister of the Russian Empire Peter Stolypin was shot here. During the World War II, the theater roof was broken by a bomb, which fell right on the scene but did not explode.
Khreshchatyk Street
This street is the main record holder of Kyiv. It is simultaneously the widest and shortest main street in Europe. It received its modern look after the World War II. Khreshchatyk was mainly rebuilt by German POWs. The Khreshchatyk Street is a striking example of Stalinist monumentalism in architecture.
Khreshchatyk Street
This street is the main record holder of Kyiv. It is simultaneously the widest and shortest main street in Europe. It received its modern look after the World War II. Khreshchatyk was mainly rebuilt by German POWs. The Khreshchatyk Street is a striking example of Stalinist monumentalism in architecture.
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
It is yet another ancient monastery in Kyiv, built in the princely times. It is famous for its legends, according to which it is possible to reach the City of Chernihiv walking along the Lavra underground passages. According to bylinas (ancient epic poems), many historical personalities were buried here.
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
It is yet another ancient monastery in Kyiv, built in the princely times. It is famous for its legends, according to which it is possible to reach the City of Chernihiv walking along the Lavra underground passages. According to bylinas (ancient epic poems), many historical personalities were buried here.
"Motherland"
This 102-meter high sculpture is located on the right bank of the Dnieper River in Kyiv. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of the river and the left bank. According to experts, the sculpture is so strong that it can withstand even an earthquake with magnitude of 9 points. For those who wish, there are sky decks that will allow you to look down on Kyiv.
"Motherland"
This 102-meter high sculpture is located on the right bank of the Dnieper River in Kyiv. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of the river and the left bank. According to experts, the sculpture is so strong that it can withstand even an earthquake with magnitude of 9 points. For those who wish, there are sky decks that will allow you to look down on Kyiv.
Bald Mountain
If you do not imagine your life without mystical stories, then you must visit the most mysterious area of Kyiv. The Bald Mountain is the place, where an annual witches' Sabbath takes place. Here, Satanists, pagans, informal people like to gather and conduct their rituals. Also this place can be a discovery for those, who gather every year on Mount Brocken in Germany, which is also famous for Sabbaths. In addition, on the Kyiv Bald Mountain, there are remains of the Bald Mountain's fort of the XIX century, which was built to protect the city against a possible attack by neighboring nations.
Bald Mountain
If you do not imagine your life without mystical stories, then you must visit the most mysterious area of Kyiv. The Bald Mountain is the place, where an annual witches' Sabbath takes place. Here, Satanists, pagans, informal people like to gather and conduct their rituals. Also this place can be a discovery for those, who gather every year on Mount Brocken in Germany, which is also famous for Sabbaths. In addition, on the Kyiv Bald Mountain, there are remains of the Bald Mountain's fort of the XIX century, which was built to protect the city against a possible attack by neighboring nations.
