One of the oldest cities of the country of endless steppes is Kiev. The capital of the Ukraine was founded in the fifth century. The once cradle of the Kiev Russe, now a metropolis of 3 million, is on the bank of the Dnepr river. The city survived the Mongol invasion, the blazes, the destruction of World War Two, and even, the communist city planning.
The Old Town is in a short walking distance from the centre of Kiev, the most well known sight of which is the St. Sophia Cathedral, built in the eleventh century. This historic building is also the church of the city with the longest history of functioning. This is where the largest mosaics and murals of the country are.
A few buildings down the road, the city's main commercial centre, the Kreshtchatik street can be found; a high street, with plenty of shops and shoppers. On the Southern part of the Kreshtchatik street is the Bessarabsky Market, full of vegetable and fruit stalls.
The city's most charming street is the Andriyivsky road; leading North from the Old Town. Following the road, we can get as far as the Podil district, where the port is and where the merchants' quarter used to be. All the way along the Andriyivsky road, galleries, shops, restaurants and coffee houses are. In the heart of the district is the House of Contracts, built in 1817; now accommodating restaurants, galleries and shops.
The Chernobyl Museum is a worthwhile visit, commemorating the worst nuclear power station disaster in World's history. A few blocks further down is the district's oldest building, the Mikola Pritysko church, built in 1631. With its green roof and whitewashed walls, it is one of the finest relic of the Ukrainian baroque architecture.
South of the Old Town is the „Petcherska Lavra" that is the cave cloister founded in 1051, consisting of two cathedrals dating back to the eleventh century and a bell tower; and, underground, the world famous catacombs. In the underground labyrinths, we can see mummified monks. The Cathedral is one of the finest baroque architectural treasure of the city, in spite of the fact that the Red Army destroyed part of it during World War Two. Next to it is the Museum of Historic Treasures, where we can admire the golden treasures of unimaginable value from the fourth century, and also the sight of Kiev as appeared in the twelfth century.
The Museum of Rural Architecture is 12 kilometres fro the city centre, where we can easily get to by a sightseeing bus. The museum is divided into seven smaller villages, well representing the regional traditions. We can see XVII. and XX. Century log cabins; and there are, of course, a few pleasant restaurants and souvenir shops too.