Kiev is one of the biggest cities in Europe, the administrative, economic, scientific and cultural center of Ukraine. Here live more than 2,5 million people. The modern Kiev is developing and restoring dynamically, that's why it attracts more and more tourists.

The location of the town contributed to its geographical position: here was the most important trade route "from the Vikings to the Greeks” to Constantinople, in Asia, the Don, in Novgorod. Over the centuries Kiev was conquered by various nations and people, while in 1934 didn't become the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Kiev has a great cultural reserve – here are located more than 30 museums, about 2000 unique architectural monuments, 33 theaters, a large quantity of pernament art exhibitions. The main tourist attractions of the city, which have become the “visit cards” are the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, St. Sophia Cathedral, The Golden Gate, St. Andrew's Church, Khreshchatyk Street and Independence Square.

The Kiev -Pechersk Lavra – an ancient monastery of the Kievan Rus, which was founded in 1051 by Yaroslav the Wise. Originally, the monastery was a cave, but later these caves became the burial place of the dead monks. In ХI—ХII cc the monastery was one of the cultural centers of the Kiev Rus. In Lavra lived and worked chronicles, including Nestor. At the beginning of XVII century the printing establishment was organized here. Each epoch left its mark on architectural appearance of the monastery. Nowadays, it consists of three different groups: the Upper Lavra is situated at the flat plateau, at the hill are settled the structures of the Near Caves, and further, at the top, are located the group of buildings of the Far Caves

St. Sophia Cathedral is an outstanding monument of ancient Kievan Rus' architecture, which is the main temple of Kiev metropolitans. It was founded in 1037 and during its existence it had been reconstructed for several times. The cathedral gained present appearance after the rebuilding in the late XVII century. The interior remained almost unchanged. The greatest value of the cathedral - the frescoes, dated XI century, which depict the saints, portraits of the princely family, the prince's hunting scenes, dancing buffoons.

St. Sophia Cathedral is a part of the reserve, which was the one in the former Soviet Union, who had been awarded the gold medal of UNESCO. National Reserve " Sophia Kievskaya", together with the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was included to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

St. Vladymyr's cathedral is a traditional for Russian architecture church with three apses, topped with seven domes. The length of the building is 55 meters, width - 30, and height, together with cross - 49 meters. The facade is decorated with mosaic works by the artist A. Frolov. On the massive bronze doors of the main portal can be seen cast bronze reliefs with images of Princess Olga and Prince Vladimir the Saint. Cathedral was founded in 1862, but its construction, complicated by technical difficulties, dragged on for almost thirty years - from 1862 to 1896. The construction was led by Academician Nikolaev, with the participation of the architect K. Maevsky and engineer J. Birkin. During the protracted construction of his project, tha architect Robert B. Bernhardt had made some changes. The celebration of the cathedral took place on Aug. 20 1896 in the presence of Emperor Nicholai II and Empress Alexandra Fedorovna.

The Golden Gates (Zoloty Vorota) is another monument, which was built by Yaroslav the Wise. They were erected in 1017 - 24 years and had been a part of a fortification. Despite the military mission, they have a high artistic value. Above the gate is located a small church.

St. Andrew's Church was founded in 1744 due to the visit to Kiev Elizabeth I . This church is considered to be the pearl of baroque. The design of the church was made by Rastrelli. Five-domed temple has the shape of a cross in the corners, in which are located the decorated towers on the massive pillars. The interior of the temple is close to the rococo style.

Khreshchatyk is a central line and the business center of the capital. The building of Kreshchatik began at the end of the XVIII century. As well as the formation of the street was in 30 - 40-ies. XIX century. At the end of XIX century here were built mostly three-stored houses with shops, facilities for offices and banks, etc.

In the early XX century, there were provided water supply, sewerage, gas, electricity and operated a tram (the first in Russia). After World War II Khreshchatyk significantly affected. During recovery, he was turned into a broad line, whose width in some places reaches 100 m. Here are located the Kiev City Council, Central Department, the metro station Khreshchatyk and Independence Square, a number of administrative offices, shops, hotels, cafes.

Independence Square -is a central square of Kiev. A large swamp was located here before the XVIII century. The first wooden buildings have appeared in the 30-ies of the XVIII century. Until 1871 the square, which then was called Khreshchatitskoy, was situated the market, there were organized a circus and carnivals. In the 50's of the XIX century, here was built a house of Noble Assembly. In 1859 Taras Shevchenko at Gudowski's house, which was located between the streets Zhytomyrskaya and Mikhailovskaya until 1979.

Kiev is one of the greenest cities of the world. There are more than 60 parks, in which blooms limes and chestnut trees. In Kiev's parks you can have a good time, enjoying the nature. The main city parks are the Botanical garden, Hydropark, park Slavy, Truhanov Island, Vladimirskaya Gorka with stunning views of the left bank of the Dnieper. Moreover, in Kiev is located a zoo with 2000 animals from all over the world.

Not far from Kiev is situated a museum of folk architecture "Pirogovo". It is located under the open sky and covers about 150 hectares. Here you can see houses, churches, mills, wells, various peasant utensils, and all this gives an imagination of the Ukrainian people lifes in the XVI - XIX centuries. Most of the buildings moved from various parts of Ukraine.