Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Europe, which was always considered to be a "mother of Russian cities". With the abundance of greenery Kiev is a very beautiful city with marvelous hills and places of interest. Due to KievЊs unique architectural landscape with the huge number of orthodox churches sometimes it is also called the Gold-Domed city (the city of golden domes).

There are some special places in every city that make it distinct from the others. Kiev is famous for its marvelous cathedrals, churches and monasteries. 13-domed majestic Cathedral of St. Sophia, where the princes of Kiev were crowned in the years of Kiev's grandeur, has outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century. The Catholic Cathedral of Saint Nicholas is easily recognized by its Gothic style and its pair of needle-like towers. Saint Cyril's Church is one of the most beautiful in Kiev. St. Alexander's Catholic Church, named after the Russian Emperor, is built in a style which is similar to Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. St. Andrew's Church catches the eye of the visitors straight away by its beauty and the aura of history.

Kiev-Pechera Lavra of the Holy Dominion (The Cave Monastery), however, is the most popular touristsЊ attraction. This twenty-eight hectare functioning monastery consist of numerous churches, towers and some of Kiev's richest museums, containing printing works, numerous ancient crypts, ecclesiastical objects. The architectural complex of the Monastery, the way it looks today is truly grandiose. On a sunny day one is almost dazzled by the reflections from the innumerable golden domes above churches and belfries. Most of the buildings in the Monastery date from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and are excellent examples of the Ukrainian Baroque style in architecture.

Apart from cathedrals there are many other exciting places to visit. Close to the center of the city there is the Golden Gate, built in 1037 as a defensive structure. This fortified wall, defining the the city borders and serving as a protective barrier from invaders in the past centuries, It the Golden Gate Museum now where different exhibits relate to the history of old Kiev. The halls display ornaments used by ancient Kievites and other excavations from the site of the Golden Gate.

The beautiful exterior of the National Opera House building is supported by the impressive majestic interior design. The Opera staff does all their best to meet expectations of the most demanding spectators. For example the Ukrainian "Scheherezade" ballet is considered to be one of the best in Europe.

Now letЊs us take a stroll along KievЊs the most popular streets and avenues.

Kreshchatik Street is the city's main avenue. Long ago this place used to be a great valley with a tiny creek in it. Today it is a street of restaurants, cafes and shops. Many Kievites and travellers gather here both on cold winter days and hot summer nights to socialize, meet friends, relax and enjoy their evenings and weekends. On weekends and holidays this wide avenue with chestnut-trees attracts a lot of families, their friends and acquaintances. This huge colorful crowd sings karaoke, listens to street musicians and gazes at clowns.

About half a kilometer west, is Vlodimirskaya Street  the main street of the Old Kiev area. Here you will find the upper entrance to Kiev's Funicular (cable car). Built in 1905, it provides a quick and exciting ride down to the Podil (Lower Town), the old trading quarter. This two minute trip will give you a thrill and provides an excellent view of the Dnieper River and the Left Bank of the city. It leaves you at Poshtovaya Ploshchad, Post Office Square. Here you will find the Poshtovaya Ploshchad Metro Station, as well as the Kiev Rechnoy Vokzal (River Station), River Passenger Terminal. River boats operate here from early spring to late fall.

Andreevsky Spusk (AndrewЊs Desent) is an integral part of the Old Kiev Preserve; once it was the shortest way to connect the princely Upper Town with commercial Podil. Now it is the Kievites' favorite place for fairs, festivals and concerts. Here youЊll find yourself in an atmosphere of the late 19th-20th century with comfortable and cozy little cafes, small shops, art-galleries and studios.  Andreevsky Spusk is sometimes called KievЊs Monmartre. If you go there on any day of the year, regardless of weather, you will see a great number of artists showing their pictures, hung on the walls and fences, applied- and decorative-art artists displaying their wares right on the sidewalk or on little stands - rings, brooches, necklaces, embroidered shirts, earthenware of most unusual shapes and forms, curious creations made of wood and other materials, to red banners sporting various slogans, uniforms, medals and coins. It is impossible to leave this place without buying some pleasant souvenirs and nice gifts.

Kiev is a very green city. It takes one of the first places on quantity of parks and gardens. The most beautiful of them are: Central Botanical Garden its collection comprises about 13,000 varieties of trees, bushes and grasses from 5 continents; Central Park stretches through the central part of the city and incorporates a number of parks and architectural complexes such as Mariyininsky Palace, Askold's Grave, and the monument to Prince Vlodimir. The park's terraces offer a fine view of the Dnieper River and the Left Bank of the city. It's a good place where the only noise is a sound of the wind.

Hydropark is one of the most favorite places to visit. This park is situated on the banks of the Dnieper River. There are such services as boat rental in summer and ski rental in winter. During holidays and weekend you can see many people here who swim, play volleyball, tennis and badminton. There are many beaches and islands here, where you can go boating. Amazing "Oasis Coca-Cola" beach has been built here recently for young people. It incorporates cafes, discos, concert platform and different water amusements.

Kiev night entertainment industry is highly developed practically as in any large European city. The choice is so large that it is really hard to choose. A lot of cafes and bars are open through the night, offering entertaining programs. About 80 discos and night-clubs are available. Casinos wait for hazardous and venturesome people to taste Fortuna. Concerts, thematic parties with contests and awards are usually held in the clubs. Dancers are welcome to discos wait for, and the doors of nice and cozy restaurants, which menus contain "musical dishes", are open for live music lovers.

Enjoy your time in Kiev!