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KIEV
Kiev or Kyiv is known to everyone as the capital of Ukraine with a lot of scenic beauty around. The unknown fact that remains is it’s also being the twin-city of Leipzig since 1961. Nesting a population close to 3 million, this city on the river Dnipro is the modern version of Kievan Rus, a trade-centre bridging the Baltic and the Mediterranean. One of the powerful establishments of ancient Europe, Kievan Rus was ruined completely in 1240 by the Mongol encroachers, till the princedoms re-structured whatever that was left. Post-demolition Kiev stretched to the West and North: Galicia, Volynia and Muscovy were later added with Poland, Lithuania and Russia to complete the formation.
Modern Ukrainian history witnessed Kiev suffer severely during World War II; many of the architectural and artistic treasures were destroyed, though extensive and painstaking restorations have put back a large part of historic Kiev. Fate struck the city again in April 1986, this time, the nuclear reactor at nearby Chernobyl being responsible. Though exposed to nuclear radiation for a short period of time, the city, as of now, is much below the rad earmark.
To experience entirely the art and architecture of Kiev, one must not leave out the Cathedral of St. Sophia, the Coronation premises of the princes of Kiev, and the Ukrainian Baroque church of St. Andrew. The Golden Gate at Central Kiev is an architecture from 1037, whereas, a few blocks away, one can find the magnificent 19th-century Cathedral of St. Vladymyr. As tiredness slowly takes control, Kiev waves you to the recently renovated Kyiv Opera, for a spectacular performance by the singers or for a broad repertoire of ballets. Unless you witness everything in a single day, you’ll require a proper place for accommodation. But the question remains - “Where?”
For the Regal, a nice choice would be the various luxurious hotels, but an apartment-on-rent or a bed and breakfast provides an economic form of accommodation. The Kiev Apartments or the Odessa Apartments are sure to impress, if not, the Apt Rental or the Tsars Village bed and breakfast shall definitely revive the CZAR in you.
Dormition Cathedral of the Cave Monastery (Uspensky Sobor)
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