Three Unmissable Architectural Treasures in Kiev

More than 1500 years old, Kiev is actually one of the most historic European cities. However, the Ukrainian capital stays an undiscovered gem of European sightseeing, featuring a dazzling array of ancient Slavic cathedrals and palaces and sweeping green lawns.

Some quick days are not pretty much enough to visit the fantastic attractions and cultural sites that Kiev has to offer, however if your travels determine a strict period budget, here are 3 of the most beautiful structures that you simply should not miss visiting in Kiev.

Pecherska Lavra (Печерська лавра)

This particular sprawling complex of underground churches, generally known as the Monastery of Caves, is more than 900 years of age, created in the 11th century. A historic Eastern Orthodox Monastery, this maze of tunnels and caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The golden domes of St. Sophia Cathedral, which keeps watch over the underground complex, are an instantly identifiable feature of the Kiev skyline. Several much loved saints rest in the underground tunnels and catacombs of the Lower Lavra, while in the Upper Lavra you are going to find a number of state-owned museums, such as a strange and amazing collection of miniatures.

If arranging your visit to Percheska Lavra, be sure to put on suitable clothing, such as covered hair and skirts for women.

The Horodetsky Building

Located along relaxing Bakanova Street close to downtown Kiev, the Horodetsky Building is also referred to as the House with Chimeras, as it is adorned with strange and eerie grotesques (often known as chimeras) in the form of fairy maidens, mythical animals, frogs, lizards, snakes and other unsavory creatures. Designed by Vladislav Gorodezhkii, a Kiev architect, as his personal residence, many city legends are around the house and its beginning, probably the most disturbing of them being that Gorodezhkii ornamented the house with the creatures he thought kept watching over his late girl.

The House with Chimeras is located straight across from the Ukrainian Presidential Building at 10 Bakanova Street.

Mariyinsky Palace

Just across from the Horodetsky Building is Kiev's most brilliant architectural treasure, Mariyinsky Palace, the ceremonial place of the President of Ukraine. Created in a lovely Baroque style that harkens to the wonderful Imperial buildings of Vienna, Mariyinksy Palace is painted in distinctive blue and cream colors and appears out onto an open tiled mall at its entrance gate. The palace was done in 1752 and had been the primary dwelling for the Governers-General during the eighteenth and 19th centuries. It is now used mainly for state receptions.

Mariyinsky Palace is found within Kiev's rich Central Park, so make sure to spend an hour or so meandering through the park, that is home to Lover's Bridge and gives some incredible sights of the Dnipro River from its terraces.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

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by: Ramon Van Meer

Total views: 3 Word Count: 494 Date: Sat, 8 May 2010 Time: 5:46 AM - 0 comments

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