Kiev

General Information about Kiev, the capital of Ukraine

Kiev, a scenic city of close to 3 million people situated on the Dnipro River, is the bustling capital of Ukraine. Ancient Kievan Rus, which reached its greatest period of ascendancy during the 11th and 12th centuries, was a center of trade routes between the Baltic and the Mediterranean. The city of Kiev and the power of Kievan Rus were destroyed in 1242 by Mongol invaders and the lands of Kievan Rus were divided into principalities located to the west and north: Galicia, Volynia, Muscovy and later, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia. Once a powerful force on the European scene, Ukraine’s fate in modern times has been decided in far-off capitals. As a result, modern Ukrainian history, for the most part, has been defined by foreign occupation. But after gaining the independence by Ukraine in 1991 it significantly restored it’s political and economic weight.

History of Kiev

Kiev boasts a long and glorious history full of heroic deeds. It is called “the mother of Slavic cities” by right. The golden age of Kiev falls on the 11th-12th centuries, when Kiev Rus was a powerful state, the center of trading routes between the Baltic and the Mediterranean. For long centuries Kiev was badly damaged and looted, but the city has survived and still amazes the contemporaries with its sublimity and beauty.

Quick Facts about Kiev

Kiev is a popular tourist destination nowadays having much to offer to its visitors. It ranges among the largest European cities, but it is not as familiar to the foreign guests as London, Paris, Moscow and other world tourist centers. It has interesting history, developed industry and infrastructure, high-level education and advanced science. Those who visit Kiev once, fall in love with this charming city and return over and over again to discover its attractions. Start your acquaintance with Kiev right now. Kiev is a really beautiful city with its marvelous hills and unique sight seeings. Having bunch of trees and flowers it is always associated with chestnuts. Kiev architectural landscape is unique. Due to the huge number of orthodox churches it is called sometimes the Gold-Domed city.