The capital of Ukraine has a long history (more than fifteen hundred years old) and attracts its guests and residents with some interesting places. The streets of Kyiv are full of history. Kyiv is famous for its architectural and cultural monuments which date to the various historical eras, also there are a lot of interesting places that are worth visiting at least once.
Kyiv is a capital of Ukraine. Also, it is the cultural center of Eastern Europe.
Here are the top places that should be visited not only by tourists, but also by locals and expats, even if you have already been here:
Saint Sophia Cathedral (Sofiiskyi sobor) is one of the most famous landmarks of Ukrainian history and architecture, located on Sophia Square in Kyiv. It was built in 1011–1018 AC by Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Until the XIII century it was used as the main church of Rus. The first library was established here. Combines Byzantine and Baroque architectural styles. One of the few surviving buildings of the times of Rus. Monument of Ukrainian architecture and monumental painting of XI-XVIII centuries. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Hryshko National Botanical Garden (Natsionalnyi botanichnyi sad Hryshka) is one of the best places to relax, located in the center of Kyiv in the Pechersk district. The garden was founded in 1936. This garden contains 13000 types of bushes, trees, flowers and other plants from all over the world. The garden covers 1.3 km² (120 hectares) and It has many coniferous trees and flowers such as peonies, roses, magnolias, and bushes including lilacs. The garden has hothouses and rosaries. It is a very popular place among locals, expats and tourists where everyone can see exotic plants, and attend flower exhibitions. It is a very popular idea to visit the Botanical garden when the flowers are blooming.
According to the diversity of collections of living plants, the scale of the territory, the level of research, it is one of the leading places among the largest botanical gardens in Europe.
The Lihtaryk Art Studio was founded in 2012. It is a cozy place where you will find positive impressions, new experiences and a creative atmosphere.
Art studio aspires to integrate traditional crafts into the life of a megacity by introducing their local and foreign guests to pottery, Petrykivka painting and mosaics. During master classes art studio introduces their guests to the various techniques ranging from oil-painting, decorating T-shirts, ebru, watercolors and pastel drawing to the contemporary trends of coffee-painting and Fluid art.
The Lihtaryk Art Studio is located in the center of Kyiv in the Pechersk district.
The Mariyinsky Palace (Mariyins’kyi palats) is the Baroque palace on the right high bank of the Dnipro river. The palace was built in 1752, it was designed by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. This Palace is situated in the old part of the city (Pechersk district) and it was used as a residence for members of the imperial family until 1917.
The Mariyinsky park is more than 140 years old. It received its name from the neighboring Mariyinsky Palace. Mariyinsky Park was founded in 1874 near the main entrance to the Palace.
This park with an area of 8.9 hectares is designed in a landscape style. Quiet, shady, with some old lindens, maples and chestnuts, this park is the unique monument of park art.
The National Art Museum of Ukraine (NAMU) was founded in 1899 thanks to the activities of Ukrainian family of patrons – Tereshchenko as the first free-for-all Kyiv museum.
The museum building was constructed in the neo-classic style. This project was updated and implemented by the famous architect Wladyslaw Horodecki. Sculpture decoration of the frontispiece was performed by the Italian sculptor Elio Sala. At the beginning of the XXI century, the museum funds have about 40 thousand exhibits. The museum has as a unique collection of works of Ukrainian painting, sculpture and icon painting from the XII-XX centuries.
t Andrew’s Church (Andriyivs’ka tserkva) is a great monument of architecture and monumental painting of the XVIII century of the world importance. This church was built in the Baroque style between 1747 and 1754, designed by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. This church is a part of the National Reserve «Sophia of Kyiv» as a landmark of cultural heritage. St. Andrew’s Church overlooks on the historical Podil quarter, located on a steep hill, which the church gave its current name – St. Andrew’s Hill. This church consists of a single dome and five small decorative spires. The windows and doors of the church were decorated with the ornamental details.
The National Opera and Ballet Theater of Ukraine (National Opera of Ukraine) was designed by the famous architect Victor Schreter and was opened in 1901. The exterior was designed in Neo-Renaissance style and took into account the needs of the actors and the spectators. The interior was redesigned in a classical style and called Viennese Modern. However, his greatest achievement is its stage – one of the largest in Europe that was designed according to the latest engineering standards. After the restoration during 1984-1987, the total area of the theater has increased by a third and now stands at 60 thousand square meters. 1304 spectators can watch the play at the same time.
St Volodymyr’s Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral in Kyiv. The cathedral was built in 1862-1882 in the Neo-Byzantine style. The design of the cathedral was made by architects Ivan Strom, Pavlo Sparro, Rudolf Bernhard and Vladimir Nikolaev and it was later redesigned by architect Alexander Beretti. The height to the cross of the main dome is 49 m. The colorful interior of the cathedral is especially impressive. Mosaics of the cathedral were performed by masters from Venice. The iconostasis is carved from the white marble brought from Carrara. The cathedral was completed in 1882, however, the paintings were fully completed only in 1896. During the religious holidays all the ceremonies are accompanied by the Cathedral choir.
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Kyievo-Pecherska Lavra), also known as the Kyiv Cave Monastery, is a historical Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery. It was founded in 1051 as a cave monastery (It got its name from the caves where its first inhabitants settled). Together with the Saint Sophia Cathedral, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra contains numerous architectural monuments, ranging from the bell towers, cathedrals ending with the cave systems and strong stone fortification walls.
The Great Lavra Bell tower is one of the main attractions of the Lavra. Its height – 96.5 meters, it was the tallest free-standing bell tower at the time of its construction in 1731–1745. It was designed by the architect Johann Gottfried Schaedel. To climb to the top, you need to overcome 374 steps.
Famous caves of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra are the system of narrow underground corridors, together with numerous living quarters and underground chapels.
The Golden Gate of Kyiv (Zoloti vorota) is the main gate of ancient Kyiv, a monument of the defensive architecture of Kyiv Rus, one of the oldest dated buildings in Eastern Europe, a symbol of Kyiv. It was named by the analogy with the Golden Gate in Constantinople. The first mention of the Golden Gate of Kyiv is contained in 1018 in the Polish chronicle of Anonymous Gall (early XII century). Initially the Gate was simply called the Southern Gate. The gate’s passage was about 6 meters wide and 12 meters high. For almost 5 centuries, it served as the city’s Triumphal Arch, a prominent symbol of Kyiv. In 1240, the gate was partially destroyed. It remained as a gate to the city (often used for ceremonies) to XVIII century, although it gradually fell into ruins. In 1982, the gate was completely reconstructed for the 1500th anniversary of Kyiv.
Different options may be best at different times of the year, so let’s take a look at what ideas might be interest for you.
In winter, when it is cold and short daylight, a walk in the fresh air may not be comfortable, we offer you to visit the cozy Art Studio «Lihtaryk» in the center of Kyiv and attend one of the creative workshops.
During the winter, the most popular idea is a pottery master class, where you can create your own cup for fragrant coffee, candlestick, plates or vase for flowers.
In spring, we offer you to combine a creative master class with a walk in the National Botanical Garden, located next to the studio. A win-win option will be oil painting, where you can paint oil paintings.
If you do not like classical painting – we suggest you pay attention to a painting with liquid acrylic – Fluid art. This abstract technique of painting with liquid paints is very popular nowadays.
When it is hot outside, we advise you to visit The Lihtaryk Art Studio and discover your creative talents by attending decorating T-shirts master class, painting on water – ebru, pastel and watercolor painting.
In autumn, we invite you to a fragrant master class on coffee painting. It turns out that coffee can not only be drunk, it can also be painted. You will get a new experience. Also, we suggest for you to attend a Gaudi-style mosaic master class.
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to paint or pottery. Each lesson is accompanied by an experienced master who helps you during the master class.
All master classes are suitable for beginners, all materials are included, so all you need is your desire to have fun and creative time.
Being expats and living in Kyiv for a long period of time or just visiting Kyiv for a few days, we offer you the following list of master classes that you can attend during the week:
If you want to try painting – we offer you to attend a master class in oil painting. To paint a picture in one master class, choose a simple composition from our catalog and listen to the advice of the master. This type of painting is quite spectacular and allows you to correct mistakes. You will not have time to understand how you fall in love with this type of painting.
An option that will not leave anyone indifferent is our pottery master class. During the master class you will be able not only to practice on a potter’s wheel, but also, if you wish, to polish and make wonderful botanical prints on your products. By the way, pottery in Kyiv is becoming increasingly popular. So do not miss the opportunity to visit us for a master class in ceramics.
A master class in liquid acrylic – Fluid art – will immerse you in a world of abstraction, where no one (even you) will be able to repeat your picture.
Also, our art studio in Kyiv will introduce you to oriental painting on water – ebru. Drawings on the water convey the Eastern philosophy of appreciating not only the result, but also the process itself, which takes place here and now.
Art Studio in Kyiv also invites you to a master class on mosaics. You will get a new look at the modern trend in the art of recycling art. In addition, you can choose to decorate a mosaic photo frame, mirror with fame or stands for hot.
If you like coffee, we suggest you to look at it in a new way and try to paint fragrant pictures with it. This painting is most similar to watercolor, and for painting we will use natural strong coffee, cinnamon and cocoa.
You will be able to support the ecological trend and make your own contribution to the protection of the environment at a master class on decorating T-shirts and bags . By using an original hand-painted bag, you can reduce the usage of disposable bags, which cause great damage to the environment.
By attending a master class on making honey candles from beeswax – you will not only get a real aromatherapy, but also make your own beautiful candles, which you can use to arrange a romantic evening.
You can get acquainted with traditional Ukrainian art by attending a master class on Petrykivka painting or choosing a master class in Easter painting – Pysankarstvo.
You will find a complete list with the description of the master classes at this link.
If you find it difficult to define and focus on one option – just call or email us and we will help you to choose the best option.
It depends on your personal preferences, but still, as experience shows, individual master classes are more comfortable.
You do not need to wait for a special occasion to organize an art activity, get new impressions and positive emotions. We are glad to see you every day. So if you have free time and a desire to get a memorable impression – welcome!
Don’t put off what you need to do today.
You can sign up for the master class by calling the studio +380-68-270-70-86 and +380-95-661-33-81, leaving an application on our website or writing a message on Instagram (@Lihtaryk_artstudio), Facebook (Lihtaryk), WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram at 068-270-70-86.
So now you know what is the best things to do in Kyiv. Maybe, you will get a new hobby in Kyiv.
Good luck and have a nice time here!
У меня синдром Стендаля сегодня. Утром ходили в Падуанский баптистерий. Смотрели фрески Менабуя. А после обеда у нас было посещение каппелы Скровеньи. Теперь я понимаю , что сделал Джотто для мира. Очень меня все это впечатлило в живую. Привет передала.
Мир прекрасен. Падуя очень понравилась:) спасибо за лекции Света!
Lily Golovchak
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