The modern centre of Kiev with the surviving parts of the old city is on the
hilly west, on the right bank of the Dnieper River. The capital's newer sections
are on the flat left bank. These are characterized by large housing developments
and industrialized neighbourhoods.
With the Ukrainian independence and changes in visa rules in 2005, Ukraine
is now becoming an important tourist attraction and Kiev is changing very rapidly.
The center of Kiev has been cleaned up and buildings have been restored and
redecorated, especially Khreschatyk and Independence Square.
Many of the historical places of Kiev, such as Andryivskyi Uzviz, have become
popular shopping streets where one can buy traditional Ukrainian art, religious
items, books, game sets (most commonly chess) as well as jewellery.
Kiev is known as a green city, famous especially for its horse-chestnuts trees.
There are two botanical gardens and many parks of various sizes.
Boating, fishing, and water sports are popular pastimes especially in Summer,
when daytime temperatures can reach 34 degrees Celcius. The lakes and rivers
tend to freeze in winter and the swimming is replaced by ice fishing and skating.
Kiev's most important architecture includes government buildings such as the
Mariyinsky Palace (designed and constructed from 1745–1752, then reconstructed
in 1870) and the sweeping Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.
There are also several Orthodox churches and church complexes worth seeing
such as the Pecherska Lavra, St. Sophia's, St. Andrew's, St. Vladimir's.
The cylindrical Salut hotel, located across from Glory Square and the eternal
flame, is one of Kiev's most recognized landmarks. Its windows offer a beautiful
all-round view from one of the highest points in the city.
The art and architecture of Kyiv are world treasures. The Cathedral of St.
Sophia, where the princes of Kyiv used to be crowned, for example, has outstanding
mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century.
Close to the centre of town stands the Golden Gate, a structure that dates
back to 1037. Several blocks away, stands the magnificent 19th-century Cathedral
of St. Volodymyr.
Ukrainians love the theatre and although most performances are in Ukrainian
or Russian you can find excellent operas as well as a broad repertoire of ballets.
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