- Home
- News
- Fans‘ Embassies
- Poland and Ukraine
- City Guides
- Blog
- Videos
- Links
- Tickets
- Contacts
- FAQ
There are two main airports in the capital of Ukraine, Boryspil International Airport and Zhuliany Airport.
Boryspil Airport is the largest and most modern airport in Ukraine, and deals with almost all the international air traffic to the city. The airport is located around 38 km (24 miles) from the centre of Kyiv (Kiev). It was considerably rebuilt in 2000. Zhuliany Airport operates mostly domestic flights, and is located 11 km or 7 miles from the centre of Kyiv.
Ukraine has two main international airlines: Ukraine International Airlines (Міжнародні Авіалінії України - Mizhnarodni Avialiniyi Ukrayiny) and Aerosvit (АероСвіт). These airlines have daily flights to major European cities. There are scheduled flights to Boryspil airport made by the likes of Aeroflot, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Czech Airlines, Estonian Air, KLM, Lufthansa and others. Semi-budget and budget airlines flying to Kiev include AirBaltic and Wizz Air.
Domestic flights at the Zhuliany Airport connect all the major cities of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, Lviv, Donetsk, Odessa, Sevastopol and others. Note that air fares for foreigners for domestic flights are more expensive than for Ukrainian citizens.
Boryspil Airport features all the usual services and conveniences of a modern international airport: currency exchange offices, car hire, ATMs, duty-free shops, post office, left luggage, drug store and restaurants.
For full details, check out their website - Boryspil International Airport
The best and cheapest way to get to city center from Boryspil airport is to use the buses. "POLIT" operates a regular bus service between the airport and Kyiv city centre which can be found near the exit from the largest terminal (terminal "B"). The buses leave every 30 minutes. The cost of the ticket is roughly 30 UAH and tickets are sold by the driver of the bus. The bus takes you to the Central Railway Station.
You can also use taxis, although be very wary of the taxi touts that operate outside the terminal. In order to get from Boryspil airport to any point of the city center you will need to pay between 150-400 hryvnas. Make sure that your journey is run on the meter.
Boryspil International Airport
Ukraine International Airlines
Several airlines have offices in Kiev for travel queries, ticket booking, etc.
Aeroflot, Saksaganskogo 112a +38 044 245 4359
Air Baltic, Khmelnytskogo 52b +38 044 238 2668
Air France, Ivana Franko 34/31 +38 044 496 3575
Air Mauritius, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 490 6501
Alitalia, Boryspol Airport +38 044 490 3934
Austrian Airlines, Krasnoarmyiska 9/2 +38 044 289 2032
Azerabijan Airlines, Kominterna 3/25 +38 044 246 4236
British Airways, Khmelnytskogo 48 +38 044 585 5050
Carpatair, Vozduhoflotskiy Prospekt 92 8 +38 044 8 050 062 6281
Caspian Airlines, Zlatoustivska 2/4 +38 044 494 0428
Crimea Air, Zhulyani Airport +38 044 241 2424
CSA, Ivana Franko 36 +38 044 288 1060
Delta Airlines, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 287 3595
Donbassaero, Volodymyrska 81a +38 044 238 6016
Egypt Air, Kreshatyk 14 +38 044 228 2343
El Al, Lesi Ukrainky 34 +38 044 230 6993
Estonian Air, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 220 0520
Finnair, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 247 5777
Germanwings, Kiev 071 +38 044 222 0577
KLM, Ivana Franko 34/33 +38 044 490 2490
LOT, Ivana Franko 36 +38 044 288 1054
Lufthansa, Khmelnytskogo 52 +38 044 490 3800
Malev, Pushkinska 45/2 +38 044 490 7342
Pakistan Airlines, Tereshenkovska 21 +38 044 246 4095
Transaero, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 490 6565
Turkish Airlines, Pushkinska 19 +38 044 490 5933
Uzbekistan Air, Pushkinska 20a +38 044 270 6544
Wizzair, Callcenter in Ukraine +38 044 206 4888
Disabled passengers will have their tickets marked to indicate that they are to be carried via ambulift from the airplane to the terminal. There, they will be met by a dedicated service team who will accompany the passenger through customs and border control. An accessible toilet is available in the terminal.
During UEFA EURO 2012, special low-floored buses will bring fans from the airport to Boryspil metro station.
More information about access to Kiev airports for disabled travellers can be found at http://invatourism.org.ua/?q=en/euro-2012-host-cities/airport-0
Kyiv's central railway station is Kyiv Passajirskij ("Київ-Пасажирський") and is close to the city centre. Metro station Vokzalna ("метро Вокзальна") connects to the station.
Trains are one of the most popular means of travel between Ukrainian cities. It is much cheaper than air travel, and one of its advantages is that you can see the country "from within".
Trains offer three types of compartment for long-distance train trips: first class compartments with 2 berths, second class compartments with 4 berths and the so-called platskart, a carriage with numbered reserved seats, with 6 berths.
Commuter trains, the so called "elektrichki", are aimed at suburban trips. Such trains are less comfortable and are equipped with wooden benches. In summer commuter trips can be very overcrowded.
During the summer season train tickets are sold out for long time ahead so you need to plan your journey and buy tickets beforehand. Train schedule and prices in Russian and Ukrainian can be found here.
You can plan your journey and buy tickets on-line on the web-site (English option available).
The downside to train travel within Ukraine is its speed – from Kiev it will take you anywhere up to 9 hours to reach Lviv and Kharkiv, while Donetsk is nearly 15 hours away.
Central Railway Station
Vokzalna, Kyiv
Phone: +38 044 503 7005 (Rus/Ukr), +38 044 234 6992 (Eng)
Central Ticket Office
T. Shevchenka 38/40, Kyiv
Booking: +38 044 503 6050 (Rus/Ukr), +38 044 234 6992 (Eng)
A disabled train passenger should inform the railway station service team in advance of their journey. They will then be able to offer help with transporting a wheelchair should this be required. The station has a waiting room solely for disabled passengers, which includes an accessible toilet.
It is planned to establish a low-floored bus connection between the station and the Olympic Stadium during the tournament.
For more information about accessible facilities at Kyiv Central Railway station can be found here
Travelling by bus in Ukraine is comfortable for short distances but for longer rides it is really recommended to use the train. There are a lot of buses which go to almost all the major cities of Ukraine departing from "Vokzalna" Metro Station and from the Central Bus Station.
International carriage of passengers is performed by the company Ecolines.
Details to Ukrainian destinations:
Odessa: 130UAH, 8 - 10 hours
Donetsk: 160UAH, 12 - 14 hours
Kharkiv: 110UAH, 7 - 8 hours
Lviv: 120UAH, 10 hours
Dnipropetrovsk 110 7 - 8 hours
Central Bus Station
Moskovska ploshad 3, Kyiv
Information: +38 044 525 0430
Tickets: +38 044 525 0254
Through Poland
The main route into Ukraine from the western Europe is via Poland in Lvivska Oblast at a place called Krakovets. The nearest significant town on the Polish side is Przemysl. When you arrive at the border, the road is fairly narrow (no motorway/autobahn), and there is always a queue of trucks and vans parked to the right of the road. If you're in an EU-registered car then find the EU-passports section.
Once through, just follow the main road towards Lviv ("Львів") on the way E40 - this is the route to Kyiv and thence the east. The main towns on the way are Lviv, Rivne ("Рівне"), Zhytomyr ("Житомир"). It is required to be careful as in some places the road is in fairly bad condition, even though it is the main East/West highway and the main road route to and from the EU.
Through Slovakia
You will need to buy a sticker to use the motorways. The border crossing Uzhgorod is usually busy and there are long waiting times. All cars are checked as there is no separate lane for EU cars.
Through Hungary
You will need to buy a sticker to use the motorways too. The directions are well placed and easy to follow but going through Budapest can be lengthy. At the border in Chop there is efficient passport and customs control. You will need a valid passport and the technical passport of your car.
Car Hire Offices in Kyiv:
Avis
Yamskaya 72
phone: +38 044 502 2010, +38 067 245 0705
Budget
phone: +38 044 490 1088
Europcar
Gorkogo 48a, Boryspol Airport Kyiv
phone: +38 044 238 2691, +38 044 281 7737
Hertz
Zdolbynivskaya 7d, Boryspol Airport Kyiv
phone: +38 044 492 3270, +38 044 281 7616
Car Rental Services
phone: +38 044 279 7092
Grata Car Rentals
Mihailovskyy Provulok 9a
phone: +38 044 451 5377
Sixt
Dmitrievskaya 46
phone: +38 044 490 8158
Smart: Rent-a-Car
Staronavodnitskaya 4, office 43
phone: +38 044 491 8424
The NSC Olympic has 70,050 seats (68,055 places for EURO 2012)
Location of ground in the city
The stadium is located right in the centre of Kyiv on the right bank of the Dnieper river. The stadium can be approached mainly by either "Chervonoarmiyis'ka vulytsya" (Red Army Street) or "bulvar Lesi Ukrayinky" (Lesya Ukrainka Boulevard). Both streets southern ends connect to the European Route E95 which is known in that part of the city as "bulvar Druzhby Narodiv" (Friendship of Nations Boulevard). However the main arena of the complex does not have a direct access to the aforementioned streets and can only be reached through several smaller streets such as "vulytsya Fizkultury", "vulytsya Saksahanskoho", "vulytsya Shota Rustavelli", "vulytsya Esplanadna", and "perevulok Hospitalny".
The main bridge that connects Kyiv with Boryspil is the Pivdennyi Bridge which supports both car as well as subway traffic.
Address
Bolshaya Vasilkovskaya Str., 55 (Pecherskiy district)
Distance from the city centre
2 km from Majdan Nezalzhnosti underground Station
Brief history of stadium
The date of birth of the stadium is August 12, 1923 when the Red Stadium named after L. Trotsky hosted the first events of the First Kyiv Region Olympiad.
Many mistakes were made due to the rushed construction. In particular, the stadium was aligned along an east-west axis instead of the standard north-south. So in 1934 as the Republican administration was moved to Kyiv (from Kharkiv), the plans were made for the replacement of the stadium, and in 1936 a construction began on the new 50,000-seat stadium designed by architect Mykhailo Hrechyna (1902–1979) called the Ukrainian Republican Stadium. Later Hrechyna organised all the renovations of the stadium until 1980's. Among other Hrechyna's notable projects were Palace of Sports (located in the vicinity), Komsomolsky residential massif at the Dnipro Raion, Hotel Rus, a building of the Trade-Industrial Chamber, as well as the Hotel Tarasova Hora in Kaniv.
On 1 December 2008, reconstruction began when a winner of the countless tenders held was announced. The stadium was officially opened by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on October 8, 2011.
The reconstruction of the stadium involved the demolition and rebuilding of the lower tier, a completely new west stand with a two-level press box (or luxury boxes) between the two tiers, the addition of a 13-story high rise building to the west, and the addition of a new roof covering the entire stadium.
The NSC Olympic has a new logo designed by Sergey Melnik from Berdyansk.
There are a couple of subway stations within a walking distance: Olimpiiska (~300 metres) and Palats Sportu (~400 metres). Currently there is no direct subway connection with the Boryspil Airport. The closest to the airport subway station "Boryspilska" is about 18.5 kilometres (11.5 miles) away. In December 2010 the Kyiv City State Administration renamed the subway station "Respublikansky Stadion" into "Olimpiiska".
The official stadium website can be found here.
Click here for photos of the stadium
There are a total of 150 seats for disabled supporters, 105 of which are wheelchair spaces. Thre are 150 accessible parking positions. To the left from the stadium entrance there is a beveled surface, through which people in wheelchairs (only with external assistance) can achieve the medium level of the stands where majority of places for people with disabilities is situated. Unfortunately, view of the field and of the display board is not good from all the seats for people with disabilities. One can achieve the second level of the stadium also using accessible elevators situated to the right from the entrance to the stadium.
For more information on accessible facilities at Kiev stadium, please click here
Dynamo Stadium
Named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy is a football stadium in Kiev, Ukraine. It is currently used for football matches. The stadium holds 16,873 people, and was built in 1934 - taking its current name in 2002 when it was renamed in honour of the former Dynamo Kyiv and USSR national football team coach Valeriy Lobanovskyi, who died on 13 May that year, aged 63
A reconstruction plan has been approved to increase the number of seats to 30,000, and to add a roof over the stand. The stadium is currently used for most domestic games and European games
On May 11, 2003, before the first anniversary of the death of Valeriy Lobanovskyi, a monument was opened. The famous coach is sitting on the trainer's bench and is watching a match. The pedestal is a large ball. The total weight is about 5t. The monument was create by a group of nine people led by the architect Vasil Klimenko and the sculptor Vladimir Filatov. Sculpture is located between the stadium and the main entrance to the stadium.
Capacity- 16.873
The stadium is approximately 0.2 km from Kiev Metro railwat station Maidan Nezalezhnosti.
Obolon Arena is football stadium in the city of Kiev, Ukraine.
It is the home ground of FC Obolon Kyiv.
The stadium is located in the northern fringes of the city, close to the Kiev Metro railway station Heroiv Dnipra.
The stadium was opened in October 2002 with a Ukraine Premier League game which saw Obolon play against Kryvbas.
In late 2006 construction began on the northern stand and the work was completed in the summer of 2008. This stand added 3,000 additional seats.
The ground will be used as a training facility for Euro 2012.
Capacity 5.600
Each host city will have a permanent, stationary Fans' Embassy throughout the tournament, as well as mobile Fans' Embassy teams operating in the days around matches played in that city. The mobile teams will be based at strategic points throughout the city (transport hubs, near the fanparks and stadiums, etc) and all Fans' Embassy staff will be on hand to offer advice and assistance to all supporters, either in person or by phone/email.
In each host city the Fans' Embassy will serve as a crucial source of information as well as a meeting point for all visiting supporters. The essence of a Fans' Embassy is to provide fan-specific services - such as ticket availability, public viewing facilities, locally applicable legislation, stadium regulations, match-day arrangements, etc.
However, you will also be able to obtain more general information you would normally find at a tourist office: accommodation, details of local transport timetables and routes, sightseeing opportunities, money exchange, etc.
The staff of the Fan Embassy will generally be drawn out of the local fan scene and will offer visiting supporters detailed and relevant information in their own language, as well as provide swift and simple solutions to any problems that may arise.
Fans' Embassies will be located in easy to reach central areas and will be open daily throughout the tournament. Find out where they are by visiting their dedicated section of the web page and drop by once you arrive in town!
All fanzones are free to enter and will have at least one big screen broadcasting all 31 matches from the tournament. Facilities typically include food and drink stands, souvenir stalls, first aid points, toilets and information stands, as well as entertainment (DJs, live music, etc) while the matches are not being played.
Kyiv's fanzone, located right in the heart of in the city on the Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), site of the famous Orange Revolution, will feature four giant screens and will open for the duration of the tournament from 12 noon to 1am.
Kyiv is ready to accommodate all fans who will come to watch any of the three group stage matches taking place on June 11, 15 and 19 as well as the quarter-final and the UEFA EURO 2012 final match on June 24 and July 1 respectively.
More than 11,000 beds are still available in hotels of 1-2-3 stars as well as in health resorts and dormitories with prices ranging from 17 EUR to 256 EUR. Such rooms can be booked via www.accom2012.com and www.hotelsukraine.com.ua/en
There are also several camping sites, with a few of them being constructed specifically for the occasion which will be able to welcome large groups of fans.
Kiev Beach Club
Location: Trukhaniv Island (less than 1 km away from the UEFA EURO 2012 fan zone)
Capacity: Up to 10,000 beds (tents for 2-4 persons)
Price: from 25 EUR per person per night
Booking: http://www.accom2012.com
Camping Prolisok
Location: 139 Peremohy Avenue, Kyiv
Capacity: 300 beds in tents, 50 places for campers
Price: 25 EUR per person per night with the proper tent and 65 EUR per camper per night
Booking: + 38 044 2545110 or + 38 044 2545382 or nikitchenko@hamalia.com.ua
Fan Plaza
Location: In the Expocentre, 1 Academician Hlushkov Str., Kyiv, with direct subway connection to the fan zone and the stadium in less than 30 minutes.
Capacity: up to 4,400 beds (rooms for 4 to 8 persons)
Price range: 50 EUR per person per night
Booking: http://www.accom2012.com
Kievan Rus Park
Location: 55 km away from the city centre
Capacity: 530 beds in tents (tents for 2/4/6/8 people, places for own tents and for caravans)
Price range: From 11 EUR per person per night up to 45 EUR per caravan per night
Lobanovsky Camp Site
If you are interested in the history of Dinamo Kyiv and in particular in the most glamorous figure of Ukrainian football the Lobanovsky Hotel & Campsite located 20km in the south of the city is the right address for you. 20 campers for four people have all the modern conveniences, including refrigerator, private lavatory and shower. There are 2 luxury suites (64 sq.m. and 48 sq.m.) in the building itself. The camper costs 1000 Hryvnas on the game night and 800 Hryvnas on other nights. The place to park your own camper will be 240 Hryvnas a night. Shuttle buses provided!
Booking on their website
Finally, there is also the possibility to rent apartments via the following links:
www.kievrent.net and www.ukraineapartments.com
Disabled fans can find accessible accommodation here
Ukraine, well certainly Kiev, doesn't have a bar culture which is similar to elsewhere in Europe. Of course Ukrainians like to drink (maybe too much) but they either do it on the street or they sit at a table with friends.
Also, most restaurants, bars and pubs will only let you stay if there is space at a table where you can sit. Standing for a beer at the bar is not common and often not allowed.
This isn't a big deal, but its worth knowing. If you're English you will also need to remember to take a table and wait to be served. You do NOT need to go to the bar. This is true even in the pubs and 'Irish Pubs' that look familiar to those at home.
You need to sit down, wait to be served and then wait for the bill at the end of the night. If you are used to paying upfront, it is easy to leave forgetting to pay the bill. However, if this happens then always go back and apologise and pay. If you don't there is every chance that it will be deducted from the poor waitresses salary. Yes, Ukrainian managers are that heartless.
If you want to drink outside with the locals, nobody is going to stop you, but just remember it is actually illegal to drink on the streets. If the police see you they may take your beer and/or make you pay a fine.
Here are some restaurants and bars that we recommended to visit.
1. O'Panas
Author's cuisine, European cuisine,
average bill – 70 UAH
+38 (044) 235-21-32,
Str. Tereschenkivska 10
Metro: Ploshcha Lva Toltoho (blue line)
Working hours: from 8:00 am until the last customer
www.opanas.com.ua
2. Babai Bar
European kitchen
average bill – 100 UAH
+38 (044) 235-7576,
Str. Pushkinska, 25
Metro: Teatral'na (red line)
Working hours 24/7
Babai-family.com.ua
3. Bochka on Kreschatyk
European kitchen
+38 (044) 459-0551,
Str. Khreshchatyk 19a
Metro: Khreshchatyk (red line)
Working hours: 24/7
www.bochka.com.ua
4. Palata 6 (House number 6)
European kitchen,
average bill – 100 UAH
+38 (044) 486-5152,
Str. Vorovskogo 31a
Metro:Soloti Vorota (green line)
Working hours: 11-00 - 02-00
www.palata6.io.ua
5. Varenichnaya number 1
Home cooking, Ukrainian cuisine,
average bill- 150 UAH
+38 (044) 287-1539,
Str. Esplanadnaya, 28
Metro: Palats Sportu (green line)
working hours: 24/7
Www.2k.ua/rus/restaurants_kiev_varenichnaya.php
6. Eurasia
Japanese cuisine
average check - 100 UAH 38
+38 (044) 289-3889,
Str. Rognedinskaya, 5/14
Metro: Palats Sportu (green line)
Working hours: 11:00 - 5:00
Evrasia.spb.ru
7. Mafia
Italian, Japanese,
Middle check - 200 UAH
+38 (044) 377-7289, +38 (067) 415-3131,
Str. Verkhnij Val 24
Metro: Kontraktovaya Ploscha (blue line)
Working hours: 10:00 - 06:00
kiev.mafia-ua.com.ua
8. Chateu Slavutych Brewery
European kitchen
average bill – 100 UAH
+38 (044) 279-3704,
Str. Khreshchatyk, 24
M Khreshchatyk
Working hours: 24/7
www.shato.com.ua
9. Olimpiyskiy Sport & Beer
European, Japanese,
+38 (044) 587-7222, Str. Bolshaja Vasil'kovskaja, 55
Metro: Olympiyskaja (blue line)
Working hours: from 08:00 until last guest.
www.osbeer.com.ua
10. Arena Sport Zone
European, Italian
average bill – 150 UAH
+38 (044) 492-0000,
Str. Basseynaya, 2a
Metro: Khreshchatyk (red line)
Working kours: 12:00 - 23:00
Www.arena-kiev.com
At night if you want to see the night life of Kyiv we suggest you visit such night clubs:
1. SKYBAR
European food
Middle check – 250 UAH
+38 (044) 223 8888,
Str. Bol'shaja Vasilkovskaya 5
M Khreshchatyk (red line)
www.skybar.ua
2. Museum Le Club
European, Italian,
Middle check - 600 UAH
+38 (044) 221-1101, +38 (044) 221-1102,
Kiev, trans. Museynii, 10
Metro Khreshchatyk (red line)
Working hours: from 22:00 to 06:00.
Www.museum-club.com
3. D Lux
European, Japanese
average bill - 350 UAH
+38 (044) 200-9009, +38 (044) 200-2991,
Str. Grushevskogo 3
Metro: Maidan Nezalezhnosti (blue line)
Schedule: restaurant, lounge bar - daily 12:00 - 06:00, night club - Thu-Sun from 22.00 - 6.00
www.dlux.com.ua
4. Crystal Hall
European, Japanese
average bill - 250 UAH
38 (044) 288-5069, +38 (067) 442-9267,
Kiev, Dniprovskiy skusk, 1
Metro: Arsenal'na (red line)
Working hours: 23:00 - 06:00
www.crystalhall.com.ua
5. Arena Dance Club
European
+38 (044) 492-0000, +38 (044) 531-6215,
Str. Basseynaya, 2a
Metro: Palats Sportu (green line)
Workinh hours: 24/7
www.arena-kiev.com/night_club
6. Vodka Bar
European, Italian,
average bill – 300 UAH
+38 (044) 371-11-02,
shopping mall "Globus"
Metro: Maidan Nezalezhnosti (blue line)
Vodka-bar.com.ua
7. Forsage Club
European kitchen,
+38 (044) 406-76-00, +38 (044) 232-67-80,
Str. Garmatnaya, 51-A
Metro: Shulyavska (red line)
forsageclub.com.ua
There is a number of gay clubs and gay-friendly bars in Kyiv:
Andybar
Night Club
12, Kryschatyk srt.
Androgin
Night Club
26/2 Garmatnaya str
Pomada
Night Club
6, Zankovetskoi str
Tema
Night Club
37-41 Artema str
The main local side is Dynamo Kyiv - their website can be found here.
Great players from the past: Lobanovsky, Muntyan, Rudakov, Chanov, Blokhin, Demyanenko, Buryak, Mikhailichenko, Luzhny, Rebrov, Belkevich, Kaladze, Kalitvintsev, Gusev.
Great players from more recent times: Shevchenko, Shovkovsky, Yarmolenko, Gusin, Mikhalik
Honours: Dynamo are 12-time League Champions, 9-time League Cup Winners, 5-time League Super Cup Holders, 13-time USSR Champions, 9-time USSR Cup Winners, 3-time USSR Season Cup Winners, 2-time Cup Winners' Cup Winners, UEFA Super Cup Winners.
The club colours are white and blue. Dynamo is the most popular and successful club in the post-soviet territory. It is also popular in Russia, Israel, Germany, etc. Each of these countries has its own Dynamo fan club.
Pyrotechnics are officially prohibited but are used in major-games, which is sometimes allowed by the club's board.
Another of the city's sides is Obolon Kyiv.
Established in 1992, and playing in white and green, they have the smallest budget in the league, usually only play with local players and have a tiny stadium, but still generate a good atmosphere. Named after the district of Kyiv in which they play, they are sponsored by the famous beer producer Obolon with whom they share their name. They had some great performances last season, including getting 10 points from 12 from the two leaders, Dynamo and Shakhtar. They finished 10th of 16 last season.
After the 2000 financial crisis at CSCA the club lost its funding from the Ministry and was on the brink of being dissolved. The Kyiv city government on the initiative of Omelchenko bought the club in 2001 reorganising it under the name of Arsenal. The CSCA-2 once again became the primary team of the Army football club.
While under the city government's ownership, Arsenal has struggled financially, resorting to loaning many of its first team players. The city had decreased funding to the club significantly as it sought to reduce its numerous sports holdings. In May 2007, it was announced that the club would be demoted due to financial issues, however soon afterward it was revealed that Arsenal would be purchased by Ukrainian oligarch, Vadim Rabinovich. The new owner started actively financing the club and its transfers.
FC Arsenal Kiev is the only club in the Ukrainian Premier League which does not have its own stadium. They rent arenas of other Kiev clubs; they have also had some of their home games in other cities. The support of FC Arsenal is not very numerous.
Dynamo Kyiv is the most popular football club in the Ukraine. After reconstruction of the "new old" football arena as the Olympic Stadium attendance of Dynamo matches has greatly increased. An average attendance of the old stadium "Dynamo" named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy was about 6 000 supporters. Now 40 000 supporters is the minimum number of fans at the Olympic Stadium which is in fact a historical arena for Dynamo. Because it was here that Dynamo won their first trophies.
Attendance of the ultras sector is 3 000 to 5 000. Each fan has special ultras season ticket. Dynamo ultras make banners, organise the show and use pyrotechnics (which normally is forbidden in Ukraine). About 1000 fans go "on tour" to away matches.
Obolon FC is the football club of Kyiv district with the same name and sponsored by a brewery also called Obolon. The stadium Obolon Arena was built in place of school football field. Its capacity is 5 100 people. Obolon Ultras are 50 to100 active fans today. They use pyrotechnics and makes banners.
Arsenal Kyiv is the most seldom visited football club of Ukrainian Premier League. Arsenal doesn't have its own stadium and now Arsenal rents "Dynamo" named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy from Dynamo FC. Arsenal Ultras are 50 to 100 active fans today. They use pyrotechnics and makes banners.
A day trip around Kyiv can be started with the Museum of the Great Patriotic War where there is a wonderful view on the left bank of Kyiv and a beautiful park. From there you can walk through the Kyiv – Pechersk Lavra, where you can see over cathedrals and then enter the Museum of Miniatures, then through the Park of Glory by Arsenalnaia metro station. Here you can enter the Mariinsky Park, walk to the Dynamo Stadium, pass it by the right side and cross the Bridge of Lovers heading down to the Peoples' Friendship Arch, passing European Square. You can then go up through the park on St. Vladimir's Hill to St. Michael Square and St. Sophia Square with St. Sophia's Cathedral and St. Michael's Cathedral.
Then you can go to the Podol area through the picturesque Andriyvskyy Desent, where a visit to Bulgakov's Museum and the Museum of "One Street" is recommended.
The excursion can be finished (or started) on Kontraktova Square with a lot of cozy small bars and restaurants. If you still want to continue the tour you can go to Poshtova Square where you can take a boat trip along the Dnieper. You can also get from Poshtova Square to the St. Michael's Square using the famous funicular.
It is of course recommended to visit Kreshchatyk and Independence Square which are adjacent to each other. You can also visit a new district in retro style (Vozdvizhenka and Goncharka) in the heart of Kyiv near the Andreevskii Descent. This district rather resembles a film's décor as it is not occupied because of problems with water supply. Turn from Andeeevskii 24 on Vozdvizhenskaia Street and you'll see it.
For some photos of the city click here
1. Golden Gate
address: Vladimirskaya str., 40а
Golden Gate(Zolotie Vorota) is one of the few buildings of Kievan Rus which remained till our days. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Golden Gate history
Kiev of the time of Kievan Rus was surrounded by high ground walls and deep ditches. Golden Gate was the part of this defense installation and served as a main town's gate — it was wide arc with a battle post on top of it with the bright white chapel right in center. This remarkable building of old Russian architects horrified enemies in old times by its impregnability. Besides defense purposes Golden Gate also had a triumphal nature — here the foreign ambassadors and eminent guests were met, the warriors were saw off to the battles, under the arches of Gate prince's guard came back from the campaigns.
But the time didn't spare the monument — in 17 century Golden Gate was in half ruined condition. In the middle of 19 century the works by clearing and strengthening of ruins were held, the rests of walls were removed. But in spite of this ancient brickwork opened for winds, rain and snow kept on ruining, this made scientist to worry.
In 1970 the decision for constructing over ancient ruins a pavilion which would not only protect it from further devastation but also recreates the original appearance of the appearance of the Gate. The grand opening of the reconstruction pavilion was dated for the celebration on 1500 of Kiev in 1982.
The building of pavillion was constructed over ancient brick walls and independent of it. The main part is tower with merlones 14 m high. In the front side the tower have additional «small tower». The passage of the gate is closed by lifting wooden grate from one side and by gates from other. The gates are designed similar to the old gates remained in Novgorod and Suzdal. In exterior design were used ornamental pattern from bricks, typical to Old Russian building of that time. The parts of walls adjoining to tower were recreated.
2. St. Sofia cathedral
address: Vladimirskaya str., 24
phone: +38(044) 278 26 20
site: http://nzsk.org.ua/ukr/museums/sophia/
St. Sofia Cathedral was founded by Grand Duke of Kiev Yaroslav Mudriy (Yaroslav the Wise) in 1037 and became the main church of Kievan Rus. Today Sofia complex is included in the UNESCO world-wide heritage list.
History of creation
St. Sofia Cathedral was founded in 1037 by Yaroslav Mudriy (Yaroslav the Wise). By the legend the cathedral was built right in the place were Yaroslav Mudriy gained a victory over heathen pechenegs. The cathedral has been constructing for more than 10 years by Old Russian and Byzantine art masters. Only in 1049 the metropolitan of Kiev Feopemt have consecrated the majestic building. Sofia became the main temple of the country — here ceremonies of ascending the throne were held, here Kiev Grand Duke received the foreign ambassadors, here were placed the burial-vaults of grand Dukes. In St. Sofia Cathedral Yaroslav the Wise had founded first Kievan Rus library — here a chronicle was kept and old books were rewritten and translated. In that time Kievan Rus was one of the largest civilized countries in Europe — it had wide trade and diplomatic connections with countries of West and East, and many kings of European countries considered it an honor to become related with Grand Duke of Kiev.
In XI-XIII centuries cathedral was repeatedly ravaged — by polovtsy, pechenegs, and especially seriously by Tatar Mongols who captured Kiev in 1240 under the leadership of Batiy khan. The cathedral was ruined but not annihilated — the Batiy khan forces «have spared its marvelous beauty».
The threat of cathedral destruction appeared in XX century. In the beginning of 1930th soviet power has decided to abolish St. Sofia Cathedral complex, and only the interference of France where remembered that Queen Anna (the wife of Henry I) was the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, who founded St. Sofia Cathedral, kept this relic from ruining. Communist was afraid of international scandal — so Sofia museum-reserve appeared in 1934. Research and restoration works was started.
The interior design
The main richness of St. Sofia Cathedral is its mosaics and frescos. The mosaics of main altar, columns and main dome — are the art masterpieces. The main relic of the Cathedral already for many hundred years is a mosaic icon of the Blessed Virgin, named «inviolable wall». Many centuries a legend exists — until the «inviolable wall» is safe as long Kiev will be.
3. Bogdan Khmelnitskiy monument
address: Sofievskaya square
A monument to Bohdan Khmelnitskiy — one of the most famous Hetmans of Ukraine who leaded a freedom fighting war against polish oppression stands in Sofievskaya square. Khmelnitskiy points with his right hand to the north in the direction of Moscow.
The history of Bogdan Khmelnitskiy monument
The idea of creating a monument commemorating the joining of Ukraine to Russia arises as early as in 1868. The creation of a project was missioned to a famous architect of that time — Mikhail Mikeshin. By the conception of a creator the sculpture group should have consisted of an equestrian statue of a Hetman raising on a granite rock with a body of a Jesuit covered with a torn Polish flag upon the hoofs of his horse; beyond the horse there should have been a figure of Polish lord falling from a rock, and beneath it the body of a Hebrew-tenant who was holding in his numb hands church plate robbed by him. The granite rock must have stood on the pyramid pedestal, on the three sides of which bronze bas-reliefs were to be. And in the foreground five more figures — the singing Kobzar and his listeners — should have been.
In 1870 Tsar allowed to start gathering means for the monument. But the money was conferred reluctantly and for the purposes of economy and because of outrageous ill-posedness of a project it was decided to decline the most elements of the monument.
The Sea authorities issued gratuitously 1600 poods of old sick-cooper and in 1879 the equestrian statue was casted in St.Petersburg. There was no money for the pedestal and for many years Khmelnitskiy was standing on a brick pedestal and only in 1888 on the occasion of 900-year celebration of Rus Christening the deserving pedestal for the monument was created.
Bohdan Khmelnitskiy
Bohdan Khmelnitskiy (relatively 1595-1657) — state and military figure, in 1648 elected the Hetman of Ukraine. Under his leadership a war for liberation of Ukrainian people against Polish oppression in Ukraine started and successfully finished. On the 8th of January 1654 the non-agression and mutual assistance act about political and military union of Ukraine and Russia was publicly proclaimed in Pereyaslav.
4. Children park at Peyzajnaya alley
address: Bolshaya Jitomiskaya str., Peyzajnaya alley
Fountains with elephants and zebras, 30-foot cat-centipede and benches in the shape of rabbits, crows and cats.
5. Andreevskiy spusk
Andreevskiy spusk is one of the most beautiful streets of Kiev. From the ancient times it was the way that connected Old Kiev (Upper city) with Podol (Lower city).
Andreevskiy spusk history
By the legend Andreevskiy spusk took its name after St. Andrew Pervozvanniy. The story tells that in former times there was the sea were now Dnieper flows, but when St. Andrew came and placed a cross on the top of the hill the water had hidden. Nowadays Andreevskaya church is standing on this place.
In the times of Kievan Rus Andreevskiy spusk was the shortest way from Upper city where were situated Golden Gates and St. Sofia Cathedral to Lower city — Podol, where was city port and craft and trade wards.
In 1711 by the order of Kiev governor-general the passage between Zamkovaya and Andreevskaya hills had been widen, thus it became suitable not only for pedestrians and horsemen, but also for carriages and wagons.
Contemporary buildings of Andreevskiy spusk were mostly constructed in the end of XIX and beginning of ХХ centuries. Here lived and worked many famous scientists, writers, composers, artists and sculptors.
Nowadays Andreevskiy spusk is called Kiev Monmartr — there are a lot of picture-galleries along the street and painters, musicians, artists are coming here almost every day. Here you can buy Ukrainian souvenirs — embroidered clothes, painted plates and dishes. Every year during the Days of the City on Andreevskiy spusk the festival of national crafts is held.
6. Podol
Podol which lies along Dnieper bank is one of the oldest Kiev regions. Several centuries ago it was a district of trade and craftsmen. Ships loaded with goods, pilgrims and travelers came to main city port which was situated here. Nowadays Podol became one of the most prestige Kiev districts.
Podol history
By the times of Kievan Rus Podol was trade district of Kiev — handy-craftsman wards, main city port, harbor and custom house were situated there. This part of Kiev was also called Nijniy Gorod(Lower City), may be only here has remained old names of streets by the time of Kievan Rus — Schekavitskaya, Kojumyatskaya, Khorevaya, Borisoglebskaya, Degtyarnaya.
Podol starts from Pochtovaya square. In the center of it stands the reconstructed church of Christ Birth. Here is main river-boat station and Dnieper wharf Across the road is situated lower station of funicular.
From Pochtovaya square starts Sagaydachnogo street, with small 2-3 storied buildings astride, which were built in 19-20 centuries. During the days-off the street is pedestrian.
Sagaydachnogo street leads to Kontraktovaya square — the heart of Podol. The square took its name in 19 century here trade fairs were conducted and contracts were made — the prototypes of modern stock-exchange deals. The square is divided into two parts by the building of Gostiniy Dvor (shopping arcade). Across the street stands one of the oldest Kiev educational institutions — Kiev-Mohyla Academy were studied many famous people, among them was Gregory Skovoroda, Gulak Artemovskiy, Pilip Orlik and even Michail Lomonosov. Another one interesting thing on Kontraktovaya square is rotunda with the sculpture of Samson with Lion under it. 100 years before it was a fountain and legend said that everybody who drinks from it will stay in Kiev forever.
Tour of the centre of Kyiv 1
1. Kreshchatik and Maydan Nezalejnosti
Kreschatik is the main street of Kiev. It passes through 3 squares — among them is Maydan Nezalejnosti (Independence Square), the main square of the city. During the days off the car traffic is closed and the street is pedestrian.
Kreschatik history
Several hundreds years ago on this place was overgrown by trees deep valley, with a small stream flowing along it. This valley was called «Kreschatiy Yar» that is where the name of the street comes from. There was a road along the stream which leaded towards the Dnieper.
From the 18 century this road started to build up and changed into street. There was situated the houses of rich townsmen and administrative building of Kiev power authorities. In 1914 Kreschatik was fully build up by solid wall of houses — in majority it were three-storey buildings of shops, restaurants, hotels, banks and offices. All business, trading and administrative life of the city started to move on Kreschatik. Here were electricity, water pipe, gas, sewer system, and from 1892 ran first in tsarist Russia tramway.
During the World War II Kreschatik was almost fully destroyed, remained only the block of buildings near Bessarabian marketplace. In 1948 the plan of Kreschatik reconstruction was approved — new architectural ensemble had been formed, the street was broaden and from one side the chestnut tree terrace was formed. Thanks to this Kreschatik is especially beautiful in spring when chestnuts are blossoming.
2. Maydan Nezalejnosti(Independence square) history
Up to the end of X century this place and the whole Kreschatik was the forest thicket. Later here appeared Lyadskie Vorota — one of Kiev gates which opened the way to the upper city.
First buildings appeared here in the middle of 19 century. On the square was open-air market and circus performances took place. In the 1876 the there was constructed the building of town council. In 1913 on the square appeared the monument to the tsar prime minister Stolypin.
Аfter the October revolution in 1917 the monument was destroyed and the square took the name of Kalinin. During the World War II almost all buildings of the square was destroyed. The new building ensemble was created. In the 1976–81 the square was reconstructed — here appeared the monument of great October revolution with Lenin in the center. The square took the name of Great October Social Revolution.
After Ukraine became a sovereign state the square was renamed into Independence Square. In 2001 the square was reconstructed again — instead of revolution monument the Independence monument was placed — the girl in Ukrainian national dress standing on high column — she is holding in hands snowball tree branch. Under the square now is situated trade center «Globus».
3. Mariyinsky park
address:Grushevskiy str., 5
Park with the area of 10,7 has a landscape design. Shadow, hospital park with old chess-nuts, maples and lime-trees is a unique memory of the landscape design art of the past.
History of Mariyinsky park
Until 1870 in front of the palace there was a drill-ground for the military training. Garden with the observation spot was laid out in compliance with the order of Maria Alexsandrovna, the wife of Nikolai II. In 1874 under her sponsorship was completed regular park in English landscape style with an area of 8,9 hectares. Later on park changed it's appearance — there were planted shrubs, decorated trees. Many of them preserved till today. During these times park was called — Zarskiy, it got his name Mariinskiy after the founder-empress later.
At the end of ХІХ century in the park was mounted cast iron fountain, one of the series installed over all Kiev casted on Kiev Termen casting plant and remaining intact till today. Along the alleys were installed marble busts and sculptures with explanatory engravings.
During the Civil was Mariyinsky park was used as a honorable burial place. In 1918 there appeared common grave of the participants of the January rebel of 1918. Some time later, in 1944 at the former chapel location was buried Soviet army genera Nikolay Vatutin, who deliberated Kiev from German troops. Over his grave was established a granite monument, which is still there today.
4. Maryinskiy palace
address:Grushevskogo str., 5а
Mariinskiy palace in Kiev is a President's of Ukraine mansion-house, it is also called President Palace — here solemn state events, rewarding, receptions and meeting of official delegations are held.
Maryinskiy Palace history
Empress Elizaveta Petrovna (daughter of Petr I) once visiting Kiev was fascinated by city's beauty and ordered to built a special palace for the royal family, she has personally chose the place for future building in Pechersk district. Mariinskiy palace was constructed in 1750-1755 by the project of main royal court architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who had constructed Winter Palace (Zimniy Dvorets) in Saint Petersburg. In various years in Mariinskiy palace stayed members of tsar family and higher aristocracy representatives during their visits to Kiev.
During its long history the palace was repeatedly reconstructed. In 1870 the fire occurred and the wooden second floor of the palace was destroyed, after that new stone floor was overbuild. In 1874 in the palace stayed Maria Alexandrovna — the wife of Tsar Alexandr Osvoboditel. She proposed to make a park on the opposite to palace. Right in her honor the Mariinskiy residence was named.
After the revolution of 1917 communist party came to power. Different organization had been placed in palace building: revolution committee and deputy Council, than military head quarter staff, than agricultural and Shevchenko's museum. In the time of World War II the air bomb got into palace building, so the central part was destroyed. After the war the palace was reconstructed anew.
When Ukraine became the independent state Mariinskiy Palace became the official President's of Ukraine mansion-house.
5. Dynamo Kiev
Full name: FC Dynamo Kyiv
Founded: 1927
Home stadium: Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium (Capacity: 16,900)
Chairman: Ihor Surkis
League: Ukrainian Premier League
The club was founded in 1927 as an amateur team, part of Dinamo, a nation-wide Soviet sport society. This society later became officially funded and patronized by the NKVD (a KGB predecessor), and later by the interior ministry (MVD). In the 1950s–1980s, team players were even officially ranked as police or interior armed forces officers. However, thousands of ordinary Soviet citizens paid symbolic membership fees for the "sport society". The first recorded match Dynamo played on 17 July 1928 against another Dynamo from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Soon as the club gained more experience and played on a regular basis, it started to fill the stadium with spectators. The club and football popularity in general in Soviet Ukraine was on the rise.
Stadium
Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Kiev, Ukraine. It is currently used mostly for football matches, and is the home of FC Dynamo Kyiv. The stadium holds 16,888 people, and was built in 1934. A reconstruction plan has been approved to increase the number of seats to 30,000, and to add a roof over the stand. The stadium is used for most domestic games and minor European games, while Dynamo Kyiv play their major European games at the Olimpiysky Sport Complex, due to the limit of the current seating capacity at the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium.
6. Park of Fame
At the entrance to the park you will see stele, to which goes road with Great Patriotic War heroes names on both sides of it. Obelisk is about 27 meters high (about 88 feet). At the obelisk footing there is eternal flame as a memory of all soldiers died in that war. Monument was made according to the project of architects A.M. Miletsky, V.V. Baklanov V.Novikova. Around the memorial is sightseeing are that gives you one of the best Kiev Panorama views on the left bank.Park is neighbouring with Kievo-Pechersk Lavra(the place that must be visited otherwise you havent seen Kiev). Park covers a big territory so it is a perfect place for picnic with friends or moonlight walk with someone you love.
7. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
address: Lavrskaya str., 21
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Cave Monastery) is a unique monastery complex, which is included in UNESCO world heritage list. It was visited by more than 43 millions of tourists from all over the world.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is a unique monastery complex, which is included in UNESCO world heritage list. It was visited by more than 43 millions of tourists from all over the world.
History of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
Kiev-Pechersk-Lavra originates in 1051, when a monk Antoniy had settled in this place in dug out on a hill slope cave. Soon other monks joined him and started to widen the caves, later when underground space could not house all community — to construct overground buildings.
From the 70th of XI century in the monastery intensive building had begun, here was constructed Uspenskiy Cathedral, Troitskaya Church and refectory.
The monastery played very important role in Ukrainian culture development — the first printing-house was established here, many famous chroniclers, writers, scientists, painters, doctors lived and worked. In 1113 Chronicler Nestor wrote his «Tale of Bygone Years» («Povest vremennyh let») — the main source of knowledge about the times of Kievan Rus.
After a great fire of 1718 the restoration of damaged building and the construction of new one had began. Holy Dormition Cathedral and Troitskaya Church got its present-day baroque style, the monastery territory was surrounded by stone walls. Thus in the middle of the XVIII century the unique architectural ensemble of Lavra had been formed. It preserved till our times for the most part. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra became the largest monastery on the territory of former Kievan Rus, its total square was almost 30 hectares.
After Communist Party came to power in 1917 the hard times for the monastery had begun — it was closed and all its property had been nationalized, some time after in the part of monastery buildings museums were placed.
In 1941 during World War II the Holy Dormition Cathedral had been blown up. Up to now there are no exact facts who realized the blasting operations — Germans or Soviet underground.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Caves
Lavra caves is the system of underground passages, divided into two parts — Far and Near Caves. First annalistic mentions of Lavra Caves are related to 1051. At first caves were occupied by the monks who lived their, later in caves started to bury dead settlers of the monastery. In particular there are remains of Chronicle Nestor the author of the «Story of bygone years», Ilya Muromets — Russian epic hero and the relics of imperishable Lavra saints.
In some underground cells lived hermit monks, who devoted their lives to prayers — in the walls of cave passages had remained small holes through which they got water and food.
There are legends about the extent of Lavra caves, — it's said that underground passages stretches under the Dnieper and also connects Lavra with other monastery caves of Kiev and Chernigov.
8. The Museum of the Great Patriotic War
In June 1943, in the middle of the battle for liberation of Ukraine, the Republic's government made a decision to create a museum of the Great Patriotic War of the Ukrainian people. However, other priority issues, like reconstruction and development of the economy, postponed the implementation of this decision till 70s of the previous century.
The Ukrainian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 was established in commemoration of 30th anniversary of Ukraine's liberation from the Nazi invaders on Pechersk hills in the former Klovsky Palace on 17 October 1974. It immediately drew attention of the public and numerous visitors. It became obvious that scale of the topic and rich collection demand different scientific concept and special premises. The work started to establish Memorial complex named The Ukrainian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, which was finally opened on 9 May 1981.
The museum is the biggest in Ukraine in terms of its size and importance. Its collection, which is permanently replenished, includes more than 300 thousand exhibits. This enables to refresh the main exposition and permanent relic expositions named Tragedy and Valor of Afghanistan and Wars on Foreign Soil, as well as to create numerous annual exhibitions. Nowadays, the Memorial is a leading research, scientific, methodological, cultural and educational center of military history of Ukraine. Over 24 million visitors from almost 200 countries have familiarized themselves with its expositions.
Taking into account the importance of the Memorial Complex as a unique memory sight of the national culture, as well as to preserve its historic and cultural values, the museum was granted National status by a decree of the President of Ukraine dated 21 June 1996. Since then, the museum bears the name of the Memorial complex «The National Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945».
9. Rodina-mat statue
Rodina-mat — monumental women's sculpture dominating Dnieper hills and visible from remote locations. It's height is 102 meters, which is higher than Independence monument in USA.
Rodina-mat monument history
Rodina-mat monument plan was generated by famous soviet sculpture Evgeniy Vuchetich. According to his idea monument should be covered by gold leaf and at its foot it should be a 30m waterfall streaming to the Dnieper and surrounded by soldiers forcing the river. Sadly Vuchetich died before turning his dream into life. Afterwards monument accomplishment was directed to the group of sculptures, headed by Vasiliy Boroday. As a result the whole project was significantly re-worked.
Monument plating was melted in Zaporozje, it was manufactured from 1.5 mm thick sheets of stainless still, sized 50×50 sm. Than it was welded in Kiev Paton institute. Total seam length is about 30 km. Monument was manufactured from welded together separate block-sections, 25-30 tons each. In one hand it holds shield with the National Emblem of the USSR (weight — 13 tons), in another — 16 m long sward, weighting 9 tons.
Monument was assembled using 100-m crane, which according to official information was in turn manufactured on one of the Donbas blast furnaces but according to non-official sources was ordered from the Japanese company KATO. It was specially negotiated that assembly parts will not contain. It was not enough time to dismount the crane before the official opening ceremony. Therefore it was simply cut into pieces and dumped into the Dnieper. They may be still found there.
According to the local legend during monument construction Kiev's Metropolitan called First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine Vladimir Sherbitskiy and told him that he had a sign telling him that the sward, war symbol, can not be higher than the Lavra's cross — symbol of piece. Otherwise it will be unleashed long and bloody war. Supposedly afterwards sward was shortened up to 16 m.
Rodina-mat was opened on May, 9 1981. Opening ceremony was attended by the General Secretary of the Communist Party Leonid Brezhnev.
Technical merit of the monument is regularly controlled. According to design calculations monument can even withstand an earthquake of 9 scores. Top sward edge contains a special device to dump wind vibrations. To move people and provide technical maintenance monument contains inside two elevators — inclined and vertical (moved by stream-rollers under the angle 75 degrees). According to prognosis it shall stand over 150 years.
Rodina-mat monument constitutes a part of the Great Patriotic war museum. The whole complex occupies a territory of 20 hectares. It also includes Great Patriotic war museum, located directly under the monument, cup «Fire of Glory», alley of cities-heroes, site of the military equipment of the Great Patriotic war and multiple sculptures, symbolizing heroic fight at front and rear.
Monday 11 June 2012, 20.45CET
#8: Ukraine vs Sweden
Friday 15 June 2012, 20.45CET
#15: Sweden vs England
Tuesday 19 June 2012, 20.45CET
#24: Sweden vs France
Sunday 24 June 2012, 20.45CET
#28: Quarter-final 4
Sunday 1 July 2012, 20.45CET
#31: Final
The quickest and the most comfortable public transport in Kyiv is the subway (metro). The Kyiv subway has 49 stations and 3 branch lines of the subway with 3 interchange stations. The price is 2 UAH. There are also a lot of buses, trolleybuses and trams (the price is 1.5 UAH).
In addition, minibuses (popularly called "marshrutka" or Maxi-Taxi) operate on the same routes (often with a branch) and cost 2 to 3 UAH. A separate line of express tramway connects Victory Square and the Central Railway Station with Borschagivka (the price is 1.5 UAH).
A circular city train ("elektrychka") was started in October 2011 that connects the railway stations in the city boundaries and metro stations (the price is 1.7 UAH).
How to get your ticket?
Metro: you can buy tokens at the stations' ticket offices.
Trams, trolleybuses and buses: you can buy tickets at the stations' ticket offices or from the cabin of the conductor or driver. It is obligatory to punch (validate) your ticket in the machines onboard, otherwise it will not be valid.
City train: tickets are sold at the stations' ticket offices.
"Marshrutka": the drivers sell tickets.
To leave a social legacy in Poland and Ukraine UEFA supports, besides RESPECT Fan Culture – Fans' Embassies, three further programmes that aim on social change.
50% of all European disabled people have never participated in leisure or sport activities. EURO 2012 provides an opportunity to improve access to football and for the removal of physical, sensory and intellectual barriers in public places in the region. It is recognised that supporting and playing football is an integral and vital part of European culture and tradition. Football is increasingly diverse; this naturally includes many more disabled people. The Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE) has formed a disability alliance in the region to help to deliver the awareness project, Respect Inclusion – Football with No Limits.
For more information about accessible venues and facilities in Kyiv, please go to http://euro2012.cafefootball.eu/Kiev.aspx
EURO 2012 offers a unique chance to promote a positive message of diversity and inclusion. The programme will be delivered on behalf of FARE by the long established regional partner, the 'Never Again' Association. Civil society organisations, and ethnic minorities in particular, have been motivated to engage with the preparations. Important stakeholders have signed up to the anti-discrimination agenda. The FARE activities concentrate on minimizing the risk of racist incidents during the tournament as well as promotion of anti-discrimination measures.
LGBT-life in Ukraine
Homosexuality is legal in both Ukraine and Poland, but that doesn't mean to say people are as accepting of it as they are in Western Europe. Public displays of affection in general could be frowned upon, even more so if it's between members of the same sex. There are discreet, lively gay scenes in the larger cities but outside the main tourist cities they are virtually non-existent.
Kyiv Pride 2012
LGBT becomes more and more open in Ukraine, raising a lot public discussion. There are a lot of gay people on TV, in show-business, fashion, and other relative domains. However, they prefer not to unveil their sexual orientation, being afraid to lose affection of the public and destroy their career.
During the recent years several attempts were made to organise peaceful demonstrations by LGBT groups, but those attempts were either banned by local authorities or attacked by radical groups like nationalists or skin heads. Yet, for the first time in the national history, the International Forum-Festival «KyivPride2012» will be organised to take place in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in May 19-21, 2012. More info: http://www.lgbtua.com/pride/en/
RESPECT your Health - Euroschools 2012 is the official community health education programme of the UEFA EURO 2012. This one-year project aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, with a focus on smoking prevention, responsible alcohol consumption, healthy diet and physical activity among young people and their families in Poland and Ukraine. Through a train the trainers approach, local institutions and NGOs in the eight UEFA EURO 2012 host cities will be empowered to activate their communities and promote good health. A guide will help coaches, teachers, social workers and Orlik animators use the power of football and sport to engage communities, increase health literacy levels, and establish a common feeling of ownership for public (sport) grounds.
UEFA EURO 2012 will be tobacco-free. A complete ban on the use, sale or promotion of tobacco will be in force in both indoor and outdoor areas of all match venues. Put into place to protect the health, safety and comfort of all fans and other tournament participants, the tobacco ban complements other activities such as Respect your Health that use the force of football to promote social issues.
EURO tournaments bring people together on and off the pitch. All sorts of encounters are made, some closer than others. The fun may know no bounds, but there are of course rules. Encounters between people from all over Europe can be unforgettable, as long as they are respectful, good humoured and a danger to no one. Show HIV and AIDS the red card. The HIV virus doesn't play fair, so you have to. Unforgettable encounters should leave no lasting damage. When you think fun and passion, think health too: condoms protect!
There are two main airports in the capital of Ukraine, Boryspil International Airport and Zhuliany Airport.
Boryspil Airport is the largest and most modern airport in Ukraine, and deals with almost all the international air traffic to the city. The airport is located around 38 km (24 miles) from the centre of Kyiv (Kiev). It was considerably rebuilt in 2000. Zhuliany Airport operates mostly domestic flights, and is located 11 km or 7 miles from the centre of Kyiv.
Ukraine has two main international airlines: Ukraine International Airlines (Міжнародні Авіалінії України - Mizhnarodni Avialiniyi Ukrayiny) and Aerosvit (АероСвіт). These airlines have daily flights to major European cities. There are scheduled flights to Boryspil airport made by the likes of Aeroflot, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Czech Airlines, Estonian Air, KLM, Lufthansa and others. Semi-budget and budget airlines flying to Kiev include AirBaltic and Wizz Air.
Domestic flights at the Zhuliany Airport connect all the major cities of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, Lviv, Donetsk, Odessa, Sevastopol and others. Note that air fares for foreigners for domestic flights are more expensive than for Ukrainian citizens.
Boryspil Airport features all the usual services and conveniences of a modern international airport: currency exchange offices, car hire, ATMs, duty-free shops, post office, left luggage, drug store and restaurants.
For full details, check out their website - Boryspil International Airport
The best and cheapest way to get to city center from Boryspil airport is to use the buses. "POLIT" operates a regular bus service between the airport and Kyiv city centre which can be found near the exit from the largest terminal (terminal "B"). The buses leave every 30 minutes. The cost of the ticket is roughly 30 UAH and tickets are sold by the driver of the bus. The bus takes you to the Central Railway Station.
You can also use taxis, although be very wary of the taxi touts that operate outside the terminal. In order to get from Boryspil airport to any point of the city center you will need to pay between 150-400 hryvnas. Make sure that your journey is run on the meter.
Boryspil International Airport
Ukraine International Airlines
Several airlines have offices in Kiev for travel queries, ticket booking, etc.
Aeroflot, Saksaganskogo 112a +38 044 245 4359
Air Baltic, Khmelnytskogo 52b +38 044 238 2668
Air France, Ivana Franko 34/31 +38 044 496 3575
Air Mauritius, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 490 6501
Alitalia, Boryspol Airport +38 044 490 3934
Austrian Airlines, Krasnoarmyiska 9/2 +38 044 289 2032
Azerabijan Airlines, Kominterna 3/25 +38 044 246 4236
British Airways, Khmelnytskogo 48 +38 044 585 5050
Carpatair, Vozduhoflotskiy Prospekt 92 8 +38 044 8 050 062 6281
Caspian Airlines, Zlatoustivska 2/4 +38 044 494 0428
Crimea Air, Zhulyani Airport +38 044 241 2424
CSA, Ivana Franko 36 +38 044 288 1060
Delta Airlines, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 287 3595
Donbassaero, Volodymyrska 81a +38 044 238 6016
Egypt Air, Kreshatyk 14 +38 044 228 2343
El Al, Lesi Ukrainky 34 +38 044 230 6993
Estonian Air, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 220 0520
Finnair, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 247 5777
Germanwings, Kiev 071 +38 044 222 0577
KLM, Ivana Franko 34/33 +38 044 490 2490
LOT, Ivana Franko 36 +38 044 288 1054
Lufthansa, Khmelnytskogo 52 +38 044 490 3800
Malev, Pushkinska 45/2 +38 044 490 7342
Pakistan Airlines, Tereshenkovska 21 +38 044 246 4095
Transaero, Krasnoarmiyska 9/2 +38 044 490 6565
Turkish Airlines, Pushkinska 19 +38 044 490 5933
Uzbekistan Air, Pushkinska 20a +38 044 270 6544
Wizzair, Callcenter in Ukraine +38 044 206 4888
Disabled passengers will have their tickets marked to indicate that they are to be carried via ambulift from the airplane to the terminal. There, they will be met by a dedicated service team who will accompany the passenger through customs and border control. An accessible toilet is available in the terminal.
During UEFA EURO 2012, special low-floored buses will bring fans from the airport to Boryspil metro station.
More information about access to Kiev airports for disabled travellers can be found at http://invatourism.org.ua/?q=en/euro-2012-host-cities/airport-0
Kyiv's central railway station is Kyiv Passajirskij ("Київ-Пасажирський") and is close to the city centre. Metro station Vokzalna ("метро Вокзальна") connects to the station.
Trains are one of the most popular means of travel between Ukrainian cities. It is much cheaper than air travel, and one of its advantages is that you can see the country "from within".
Trains offer three types of compartment for long-distance train trips: first class compartments with 2 berths, second class compartments with 4 berths and the so-called platskart, a carriage with numbered reserved seats, with 6 berths.
Commuter trains, the so called "elektrichki", are aimed at suburban trips. Such trains are less comfortable and are equipped with wooden benches. In summer commuter trips can be very overcrowded.
During the summer season train tickets are sold out for long time ahead so you need to plan your journey and buy tickets beforehand. Train schedule and prices in Russian and Ukrainian can be found here.
You can plan your journey and buy tickets on-line on the web-site (English option available).
The downside to train travel within Ukraine is its speed – from Kiev it will take you anywhere up to 9 hours to reach Lviv and Kharkiv, while Donetsk is nearly 15 hours away.
Central Railway Station
Vokzalna, Kyiv
Phone: +38 044 503 7005 (Rus/Ukr), +38 044 234 6992 (Eng)
Central Ticket Office
T. Shevchenka 38/40, Kyiv
Booking: +38 044 503 6050 (Rus/Ukr), +38 044 234 6992 (Eng)
A disabled train passenger should inform the railway station service team in advance of their journey. They will then be able to offer help with transporting a wheelchair should this be required. The station has a waiting room solely for disabled passengers, which includes an accessible toilet.
It is planned to establish a low-floored bus connection between the station and the Olympic Stadium during the tournament.
For more information about accessible facilities at Kyiv Central Railway station can be found here
Travelling by bus in Ukraine is comfortable for short distances but for longer rides it is really recommended to use the train. There are a lot of buses which go to almost all the major cities of Ukraine departing from "Vokzalna" Metro Station and from the Central Bus Station.
International carriage of passengers is performed by the company Ecolines.
Details to Ukrainian destinations:
Odessa: 130UAH, 8 - 10 hours
Donetsk: 160UAH, 12 - 14 hours
Kharkiv: 110UAH, 7 - 8 hours
Lviv: 120UAH, 10 hours
Dnipropetrovsk 110 7 - 8 hours
Central Bus Station
Moskovska ploshad 3, Kyiv
Information: +38 044 525 0430
Tickets: +38 044 525 0254
Through Poland
The main route into Ukraine from the western Europe is via Poland in Lvivska Oblast at a place called Krakovets. The nearest significant town on the Polish side is Przemysl. When you arrive at the border, the road is fairly narrow (no motorway/autobahn), and there is always a queue of trucks and vans parked to the right of the road. If you're in an EU-registered car then find the EU-passports section.
Once through, just follow the main road towards Lviv ("Львів") on the way E40 - this is the route to Kyiv and thence the east. The main towns on the way are Lviv, Rivne ("Рівне"), Zhytomyr ("Житомир"). It is required to be careful as in some places the road is in fairly bad condition, even though it is the main East/West highway and the main road route to and from the EU.
Through Slovakia
You will need to buy a sticker to use the motorways. The border crossing Uzhgorod is usually busy and there are long waiting times. All cars are checked as there is no separate lane for EU cars.
Through Hungary
You will need to buy a sticker to use the motorways too. The directions are well placed and easy to follow but going through Budapest can be lengthy. At the border in Chop there is efficient passport and customs control. You will need a valid passport and the technical passport of your car.
Car Hire Offices in Kyiv:
Avis
Yamskaya 72
phone: +38 044 502 2010, +38 067 245 0705
Budget
phone: +38 044 490 1088
Europcar
Gorkogo 48a, Boryspol Airport Kyiv
phone: +38 044 238 2691, +38 044 281 7737
Hertz
Zdolbynivskaya 7d, Boryspol Airport Kyiv
phone: +38 044 492 3270, +38 044 281 7616
Car Rental Services
phone: +38 044 279 7092
Grata Car Rentals
Mihailovskyy Provulok 9a
phone: +38 044 451 5377
Sixt
Dmitrievskaya 46
phone: +38 044 490 8158
Smart: Rent-a-Car
Staronavodnitskaya 4, office 43
phone: +38 044 491 8424
The NSC Olympic has 70,050 seats (68,055 places for EURO 2012)
Location of ground in the city
The stadium is located right in the centre of Kyiv on the right bank of the Dnieper river. The stadium can be approached mainly by either "Chervonoarmiyis'ka vulytsya" (Red Army Street) or "bulvar Lesi Ukrayinky" (Lesya Ukrainka Boulevard). Both streets southern ends connect to the European Route E95 which is known in that part of the city as "bulvar Druzhby Narodiv" (Friendship of Nations Boulevard). However the main arena of the complex does not have a direct access to the aforementioned streets and can only be reached through several smaller streets such as "vulytsya Fizkultury", "vulytsya Saksahanskoho", "vulytsya Shota Rustavelli", "vulytsya Esplanadna", and "perevulok Hospitalny".
The main bridge that connects Kyiv with Boryspil is the Pivdennyi Bridge which supports both car as well as subway traffic.
Address
Bolshaya Vasilkovskaya Str., 55 (Pecherskiy district)
Distance from the city centre
2 km from Majdan Nezalzhnosti underground Station
Brief history of stadium
The date of birth of the stadium is August 12, 1923 when the Red Stadium named after L. Trotsky hosted the first events of the First Kyiv Region Olympiad.
Many mistakes were made due to the rushed construction. In particular, the stadium was aligned along an east-west axis instead of the standard north-south. So in 1934 as the Republican administration was moved to Kyiv (from Kharkiv), the plans were made for the replacement of the stadium, and in 1936 a construction began on the new 50,000-seat stadium designed by architect Mykhailo Hrechyna (1902–1979) called the Ukrainian Republican Stadium. Later Hrechyna organised all the renovations of the stadium until 1980's. Among other Hrechyna's notable projects were Palace of Sports (located in the vicinity), Komsomolsky residential massif at the Dnipro Raion, Hotel Rus, a building of the Trade-Industrial Chamber, as well as the Hotel Tarasova Hora in Kaniv.
On 1 December 2008, reconstruction began when a winner of the countless tenders held was announced. The stadium was officially opened by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on October 8, 2011.
The reconstruction of the stadium involved the demolition and rebuilding of the lower tier, a completely new west stand with a two-level press box (or luxury boxes) between the two tiers, the addition of a 13-story high rise building to the west, and the addition of a new roof covering the entire stadium.
The NSC Olympic has a new logo designed by Sergey Melnik from Berdyansk.
There are a couple of subway stations within a walking distance: Olimpiiska (~300 metres) and Palats Sportu (~400 metres). Currently there is no direct subway connection with the Boryspil Airport. The closest to the airport subway station "Boryspilska" is about 18.5 kilometres (11.5 miles) away. In December 2010 the Kyiv City State Administration renamed the subway station "Respublikansky Stadion" into "Olimpiiska".
The official stadium website can be found here.
Click here for photos of the stadium
There are a total of 150 seats for disabled supporters, 105 of which are wheelchair spaces. Thre are 150 accessible parking positions. To the left from the stadium entrance there is a beveled surface, through which people in wheelchairs (only with external assistance) can achieve the medium level of the stands where majority of places for people with disabilities is situated. Unfortunately, view of the field and of the display board is not good from all the seats for people with disabilities. One can achieve the second level of the stadium also using accessible elevators situated to the right from the entrance to the stadium.
For more information on accessible facilities at Kiev stadium, please click here
Dynamo Stadium
Named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy is a football stadium in Kiev, Ukraine. It is currently used for football matches. The stadium holds 16,873 people, and was built in 1934 - taking its current name in 2002 when it was renamed in honour of the former Dynamo Kyiv and USSR national football team coach Valeriy Lobanovskyi, who died on 13 May that year, aged 63
A reconstruction plan has been approved to increase the number of seats to 30,000, and to add a roof over the stand. The stadium is currently used for most domestic games and European games
On May 11, 2003, before the first anniversary of the death of Valeriy Lobanovskyi, a monument was opened. The famous coach is sitting on the trainer's bench and is watching a match. The pedestal is a large ball. The total weight is about 5t. The monument was create by a group of nine people led by the architect Vasil Klimenko and the sculptor Vladimir Filatov. Sculpture is located between the stadium and the main entrance to the stadium.
Capacity- 16.873
The stadium is approximately 0.2 km from Kiev Metro railwat station Maidan Nezalezhnosti.
Obolon Arena is football stadium in the city of Kiev, Ukraine.
It is the home ground of FC Obolon Kyiv.
The stadium is located in the northern fringes of the city, close to the Kiev Metro railway station Heroiv Dnipra.
The stadium was opened in October 2002 with a Ukraine Premier League game which saw Obolon play against Kryvbas.
In late 2006 construction began on the northern stand and the work was completed in the summer of 2008. This stand added 3,000 additional seats.
The ground will be used as a training facility for Euro 2012.
Capacity 5.600
Each host city will have a permanent, stationary Fans' Embassy throughout the tournament, as well as mobile Fans' Embassy teams operating in the days around matches played in that city. The mobile teams will be based at strategic points throughout the city (transport hubs, near the fanparks and stadiums, etc) and all Fans' Embassy staff will be on hand to offer advice and assistance to all supporters, either in person or by phone/email.
In each host city the Fans' Embassy will serve as a crucial source of information as well as a meeting point for all visiting supporters. The essence of a Fans' Embassy is to provide fan-specific services - such as ticket availability, public viewing facilities, locally applicable legislation, stadium regulations, match-day arrangements, etc.
However, you will also be able to obtain more general information you would normally find at a tourist office: accommodation, details of local transport timetables and routes, sightseeing opportunities, money exchange, etc.
The staff of the Fan Embassy will generally be drawn out of the local fan scene and will offer visiting supporters detailed and relevant information in their own language, as well as provide swift and simple solutions to any problems that may arise.
Fans' Embassies will be located in easy to reach central areas and will be open daily throughout the tournament. Find out where they are by visiting their dedicated section of the web page and drop by once you arrive in town!
All fanzones are free to enter and will have at least one big screen broadcasting all 31 matches from the tournament. Facilities typically include food and drink stands, souvenir stalls, first aid points, toilets and information stands, as well as entertainment (DJs, live music, etc) while the matches are not being played.
Kyiv's fanzone, located right in the heart of in the city on the Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), site of the famous Orange Revolution, will feature four giant screens and will open for the duration of the tournament from 12 noon to 1am.
Kyiv is ready to accommodate all fans who will come to watch any of the three group stage matches taking place on June 11, 15 and 19 as well as the quarter-final and the UEFA EURO 2012 final match on June 24 and July 1 respectively.
More than 11,000 beds are still available in hotels of 1-2-3 stars as well as in health resorts and dormitories with prices ranging from 17 EUR to 256 EUR. Such rooms can be booked via www.accom2012.com and www.hotelsukraine.com.ua/en
There are also several camping sites, with a few of them being constructed specifically for the occasion which will be able to welcome large groups of fans.
Kiev Beach Club
Location: Trukhaniv Island (less than 1 km away from the UEFA EURO 2012 fan zone)
Capacity: Up to 10,000 beds (tents for 2-4 persons)
Price: from 25 EUR per person per night
Booking: http://www.accom2012.com
Camping Prolisok
Location: 139 Peremohy Avenue, Kyiv
Capacity: 300 beds in tents, 50 places for campers
Price: 25 EUR per person per night with the proper tent and 65 EUR per camper per night
Booking: + 38 044 2545110 or + 38 044 2545382 or nikitchenko@hamalia.com.ua
Fan Plaza
Location: In the Expocentre, 1 Academician Hlushkov Str., Kyiv, with direct subway connection to the fan zone and the stadium in less than 30 minutes.
Capacity: up to 4,400 beds (rooms for 4 to 8 persons)
Price range: 50 EUR per person per night
Booking: http://www.accom2012.com
Kievan Rus Park
Location: 55 km away from the city centre
Capacity: 530 beds in tents (tents for 2/4/6/8 people, places for own tents and for caravans)
Price range: From 11 EUR per person per night up to 45 EUR per caravan per night
Lobanovsky Camp Site
If you are interested in the history of Dinamo Kyiv and in particular in the most glamorous figure of Ukrainian football the Lobanovsky Hotel & Campsite located 20km in the south of the city is the right address for you. 20 campers for four people have all the modern conveniences, including refrigerator, private lavatory and shower. There are 2 luxury suites (64 sq.m. and 48 sq.m.) in the building itself. The camper costs 1000 Hryvnas on the game night and 800 Hryvnas on other nights. The place to park your own camper will be 240 Hryvnas a night. Shuttle buses provided!
Booking on their website
Finally, there is also the possibility to rent apartments via the following links:
www.kievrent.net and www.ukraineapartments.com
Disabled fans can find accessible accommodation here
Ukraine, well certainly Kiev, doesn't have a bar culture which is similar to elsewhere in Europe. Of course Ukrainians like to drink (maybe too much) but they either do it on the street or they sit at a table with friends.
Also, most restaurants, bars and pubs will only let you stay if there is space at a table where you can sit. Standing for a beer at the bar is not common and often not allowed.
This isn't a big deal, but its worth knowing. If you're English you will also need to remember to take a table and wait to be served. You do NOT need to go to the bar. This is true even in the pubs and 'Irish Pubs' that look familiar to those at home.
You need to sit down, wait to be served and then wait for the bill at the end of the night. If you are used to paying upfront, it is easy to leave forgetting to pay the bill. However, if this happens then always go back and apologise and pay. If you don't there is every chance that it will be deducted from the poor waitresses salary. Yes, Ukrainian managers are that heartless.
If you want to drink outside with the locals, nobody is going to stop you, but just remember it is actually illegal to drink on the streets. If the police see you they may take your beer and/or make you pay a fine.
Here are some restaurants and bars that we recommended to visit.
1. O'Panas
Author's cuisine, European cuisine,
average bill – 70 UAH
+38 (044) 235-21-32,
Str. Tereschenkivska 10
Metro: Ploshcha Lva Toltoho (blue line)
Working hours: from 8:00 am until the last customer
www.opanas.com.ua
2. Babai Bar
European kitchen
average bill – 100 UAH
+38 (044) 235-7576,
Str. Pushkinska, 25
Metro: Teatral'na (red line)
Working hours 24/7
Babai-family.com.ua
3. Bochka on Kreschatyk
European kitchen
+38 (044) 459-0551,
Str. Khreshchatyk 19a
Metro: Khreshchatyk (red line)
Working hours: 24/7
www.bochka.com.ua
4. Palata 6 (House number 6)
European kitchen,
average bill – 100 UAH
+38 (044) 486-5152,
Str. Vorovskogo 31a
Metro:Soloti Vorota (green line)
Working hours: 11-00 - 02-00
www.palata6.io.ua
5. Varenichnaya number 1
Home cooking, Ukrainian cuisine,
average bill- 150 UAH
+38 (044) 287-1539,
Str. Esplanadnaya, 28
Metro: Palats Sportu (green line)
working hours: 24/7
Www.2k.ua/rus/restaurants_kiev_varenichnaya.php
6. Eurasia
Japanese cuisine
average check - 100 UAH 38
+38 (044) 289-3889,
Str. Rognedinskaya, 5/14
Metro: Palats Sportu (green line)
Working hours: 11:00 - 5:00
Evrasia.spb.ru
7. Mafia
Italian, Japanese,
Middle check - 200 UAH
+38 (044) 377-7289, +38 (067) 415-3131,
Str. Verkhnij Val 24
Metro: Kontraktovaya Ploscha (blue line)
Working hours: 10:00 - 06:00
kiev.mafia-ua.com.ua
8. Chateu Slavutych Brewery
European kitchen
average bill – 100 UAH
+38 (044) 279-3704,
Str. Khreshchatyk, 24
M Khreshchatyk
Working hours: 24/7
www.shato.com.ua
9. Olimpiyskiy Sport & Beer
European, Japanese,
+38 (044) 587-7222, Str. Bolshaja Vasil'kovskaja, 55
Metro: Olympiyskaja (blue line)
Working hours: from 08:00 until last guest.
www.osbeer.com.ua
10. Arena Sport Zone
European, Italian
average bill – 150 UAH
+38 (044) 492-0000,
Str. Basseynaya, 2a
Metro: Khreshchatyk (red line)
Working kours: 12:00 - 23:00
Www.arena-kiev.com
At night if you want to see the night life of Kyiv we suggest you visit such night clubs:
1. SKYBAR
European food
Middle check – 250 UAH
+38 (044) 223 8888,
Str. Bol'shaja Vasilkovskaya 5
M Khreshchatyk (red line)
www.skybar.ua
2. Museum Le Club
European, Italian,
Middle check - 600 UAH
+38 (044) 221-1101, +38 (044) 221-1102,
Kiev, trans. Museynii, 10
Metro Khreshchatyk (red line)
Working hours: from 22:00 to 06:00.
Www.museum-club.com
3. D Lux
European, Japanese
average bill - 350 UAH
+38 (044) 200-9009, +38 (044) 200-2991,
Str. Grushevskogo 3
Metro: Maidan Nezalezhnosti (blue line)
Schedule: restaurant, lounge bar - daily 12:00 - 06:00, night club - Thu-Sun from 22.00 - 6.00
www.dlux.com.ua
4. Crystal Hall
European, Japanese
average bill - 250 UAH
38 (044) 288-5069, +38 (067) 442-9267,
Kiev, Dniprovskiy skusk, 1
Metro: Arsenal'na (red line)
Working hours: 23:00 - 06:00
www.crystalhall.com.ua
5. Arena Dance Club
European
+38 (044) 492-0000, +38 (044) 531-6215,
Str. Basseynaya, 2a
Metro: Palats Sportu (green line)
Workinh hours: 24/7
www.arena-kiev.com/night_club
6. Vodka Bar
European, Italian,
average bill – 300 UAH
+38 (044) 371-11-02,
shopping mall "Globus"
Metro: Maidan Nezalezhnosti (blue line)
Vodka-bar.com.ua
7. Forsage Club
European kitchen,
+38 (044) 406-76-00, +38 (044) 232-67-80,
Str. Garmatnaya, 51-A
Metro: Shulyavska (red line)
forsageclub.com.ua
There is a number of gay clubs and gay-friendly bars in Kyiv:
Andybar
Night Club
12, Kryschatyk srt.
Androgin
Night Club
26/2 Garmatnaya str
Pomada
Night Club
6, Zankovetskoi str
Tema
Night Club
37-41 Artema str
The main local side is Dynamo Kyiv - their website can be found here.
Great players from the past: Lobanovsky, Muntyan, Rudakov, Chanov, Blokhin, Demyanenko, Buryak, Mikhailichenko, Luzhny, Rebrov, Belkevich, Kaladze, Kalitvintsev, Gusev.
Great players from more recent times: Shevchenko, Shovkovsky, Yarmolenko, Gusin, Mikhalik
Honours: Dynamo are 12-time League Champions, 9-time League Cup Winners, 5-time League Super Cup Holders, 13-time USSR Champions, 9-time USSR Cup Winners, 3-time USSR Season Cup Winners, 2-time Cup Winners' Cup Winners, UEFA Super Cup Winners.
The club colours are white and blue. Dynamo is the most popular and successful club in the post-soviet territory. It is also popular in Russia, Israel, Germany, etc. Each of these countries has its own Dynamo fan club.
Pyrotechnics are officially prohibited but are used in major-games, which is sometimes allowed by the club's board.
Another of the city's sides is Obolon Kyiv.
Established in 1992, and playing in white and green, they have the smallest budget in the league, usually only play with local players and have a tiny stadium, but still generate a good atmosphere. Named after the district of Kyiv in which they play, they are sponsored by the famous beer producer Obolon with whom they share their name. They had some great performances last season, including getting 10 points from 12 from the two leaders, Dynamo and Shakhtar. They finished 10th of 16 last season.
After the 2000 financial crisis at CSCA the club lost its funding from the Ministry and was on the brink of being dissolved. The Kyiv city government on the initiative of Omelchenko bought the club in 2001 reorganising it under the name of Arsenal. The CSCA-2 once again became the primary team of the Army football club.
While under the city government's ownership, Arsenal has struggled financially, resorting to loaning many of its first team players. The city had decreased funding to the club significantly as it sought to reduce its numerous sports holdings. In May 2007, it was announced that the club would be demoted due to financial issues, however soon afterward it was revealed that Arsenal would be purchased by Ukrainian oligarch, Vadim Rabinovich. The new owner started actively financing the club and its transfers.
FC Arsenal Kiev is the only club in the Ukrainian Premier League which does not have its own stadium. They rent arenas of other Kiev clubs; they have also had some of their home games in other cities. The support of FC Arsenal is not very numerous.
Dynamo Kyiv is the most popular football club in the Ukraine. After reconstruction of the "new old" football arena as the Olympic Stadium attendance of Dynamo matches has greatly increased. An average attendance of the old stadium "Dynamo" named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy was about 6 000 supporters. Now 40 000 supporters is the minimum number of fans at the Olympic Stadium which is in fact a historical arena for Dynamo. Because it was here that Dynamo won their first trophies.
Attendance of the ultras sector is 3 000 to 5 000. Each fan has special ultras season ticket. Dynamo ultras make banners, organise the show and use pyrotechnics (which normally is forbidden in Ukraine). About 1000 fans go "on tour" to away matches.
Obolon FC is the football club of Kyiv district with the same name and sponsored by a brewery also called Obolon. The stadium Obolon Arena was built in place of school football field. Its capacity is 5 100 people. Obolon Ultras are 50 to100 active fans today. They use pyrotechnics and makes banners.
Arsenal Kyiv is the most seldom visited football club of Ukrainian Premier League. Arsenal doesn't have its own stadium and now Arsenal rents "Dynamo" named after Valeriy Lobanovskiy from Dynamo FC. Arsenal Ultras are 50 to 100 active fans today. They use pyrotechnics and makes banners.
A day trip around Kyiv can be started with the Museum of the Great Patriotic War where there is a wonderful view on the left bank of Kyiv and a beautiful park. From there you can walk through the Kyiv – Pechersk Lavra, where you can see over cathedrals and then enter the Museum of Miniatures, then through the Park of Glory by Arsenalnaia metro station. Here you can enter the Mariinsky Park, walk to the Dynamo Stadium, pass it by the right side and cross the Bridge of Lovers heading down to the Peoples' Friendship Arch, passing European Square. You can then go up through the park on St. Vladimir's Hill to St. Michael Square and St. Sophia Square with St. Sophia's Cathedral and St. Michael's Cathedral.
Then you can go to the Podol area through the picturesque Andriyvskyy Desent, where a visit to Bulgakov's Museum and the Museum of "One Street" is recommended.
The excursion can be finished (or started) on Kontraktova Square with a lot of cozy small bars and restaurants. If you still want to continue the tour you can go to Poshtova Square where you can take a boat trip along the Dnieper. You can also get from Poshtova Square to the St. Michael's Square using the famous funicular.
It is of course recommended to visit Kreshchatyk and Independence Square which are adjacent to each other. You can also visit a new district in retro style (Vozdvizhenka and Goncharka) in the heart of Kyiv near the Andreevskii Descent. This district rather resembles a film's décor as it is not occupied because of problems with water supply. Turn from Andeeevskii 24 on Vozdvizhenskaia Street and you'll see it.
For some photos of the city click here
1. Golden Gate
address: Vladimirskaya str., 40а
Golden Gate(Zolotie Vorota) is one of the few buildings of Kievan Rus which remained till our days. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Golden Gate history
Kiev of the time of Kievan Rus was surrounded by high ground walls and deep ditches. Golden Gate was the part of this defense installation and served as a main town's gate — it was wide arc with a battle post on top of it with the bright white chapel right in center. This remarkable building of old Russian architects horrified enemies in old times by its impregnability. Besides defense purposes Golden Gate also had a triumphal nature — here the foreign ambassadors and eminent guests were met, the warriors were saw off to the battles, under the arches of Gate prince's guard came back from the campaigns.
But the time didn't spare the monument — in 17 century Golden Gate was in half ruined condition. In the middle of 19 century the works by clearing and strengthening of ruins were held, the rests of walls were removed. But in spite of this ancient brickwork opened for winds, rain and snow kept on ruining, this made scientist to worry.
In 1970 the decision for constructing over ancient ruins a pavilion which would not only protect it from further devastation but also recreates the original appearance of the appearance of the Gate. The grand opening of the reconstruction pavilion was dated for the celebration on 1500 of Kiev in 1982.
The building of pavillion was constructed over ancient brick walls and independent of it. The main part is tower with merlones 14 m high. In the front side the tower have additional «small tower». The passage of the gate is closed by lifting wooden grate from one side and by gates from other. The gates are designed similar to the old gates remained in Novgorod and Suzdal. In exterior design were used ornamental pattern from bricks, typical to Old Russian building of that time. The parts of walls adjoining to tower were recreated.
2. St. Sofia cathedral
address: Vladimirskaya str., 24
phone: +38(044) 278 26 20
site: http://nzsk.org.ua/ukr/museums/sophia/
St. Sofia Cathedral was founded by Grand Duke of Kiev Yaroslav Mudriy (Yaroslav the Wise) in 1037 and became the main church of Kievan Rus. Today Sofia complex is included in the UNESCO world-wide heritage list.
History of creation
St. Sofia Cathedral was founded in 1037 by Yaroslav Mudriy (Yaroslav the Wise). By the legend the cathedral was built right in the place were Yaroslav Mudriy gained a victory over heathen pechenegs. The cathedral has been constructing for more than 10 years by Old Russian and Byzantine art masters. Only in 1049 the metropolitan of Kiev Feopemt have consecrated the majestic building. Sofia became the main temple of the country — here ceremonies of ascending the throne were held, here Kiev Grand Duke received the foreign ambassadors, here were placed the burial-vaults of grand Dukes. In St. Sofia Cathedral Yaroslav the Wise had founded first Kievan Rus library — here a chronicle was kept and old books were rewritten and translated. In that time Kievan Rus was one of the largest civilized countries in Europe — it had wide trade and diplomatic connections with countries of West and East, and many kings of European countries considered it an honor to become related with Grand Duke of Kiev.
In XI-XIII centuries cathedral was repeatedly ravaged — by polovtsy, pechenegs, and especially seriously by Tatar Mongols who captured Kiev in 1240 under the leadership of Batiy khan. The cathedral was ruined but not annihilated — the Batiy khan forces «have spared its marvelous beauty».
The threat of cathedral destruction appeared in XX century. In the beginning of 1930th soviet power has decided to abolish St. Sofia Cathedral complex, and only the interference of France where remembered that Queen Anna (the wife of Henry I) was the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, who founded St. Sofia Cathedral, kept this relic from ruining. Communist was afraid of international scandal — so Sofia museum-reserve appeared in 1934. Research and restoration works was started.
The interior design
The main richness of St. Sofia Cathedral is its mosaics and frescos. The mosaics of main altar, columns and main dome — are the art masterpieces. The main relic of the Cathedral already for many hundred years is a mosaic icon of the Blessed Virgin, named «inviolable wall». Many centuries a legend exists — until the «inviolable wall» is safe as long Kiev will be.
3. Bogdan Khmelnitskiy monument
address: Sofievskaya square
A monument to Bohdan Khmelnitskiy — one of the most famous Hetmans of Ukraine who leaded a freedom fighting war against polish oppression stands in Sofievskaya square. Khmelnitskiy points with his right hand to the north in the direction of Moscow.
The history of Bogdan Khmelnitskiy monument
The idea of creating a monument commemorating the joining of Ukraine to Russia arises as early as in 1868. The creation of a project was missioned to a famous architect of that time — Mikhail Mikeshin. By the conception of a creator the sculpture group should have consisted of an equestrian statue of a Hetman raising on a granite rock with a body of a Jesuit covered with a torn Polish flag upon the hoofs of his horse; beyond the horse there should have been a figure of Polish lord falling from a rock, and beneath it the body of a Hebrew-tenant who was holding in his numb hands church plate robbed by him. The granite rock must have stood on the pyramid pedestal, on the three sides of which bronze bas-reliefs were to be. And in the foreground five more figures — the singing Kobzar and his listeners — should have been.
In 1870 Tsar allowed to start gathering means for the monument. But the money was conferred reluctantly and for the purposes of economy and because of outrageous ill-posedness of a project it was decided to decline the most elements of the monument.
The Sea authorities issued gratuitously 1600 poods of old sick-cooper and in 1879 the equestrian statue was casted in St.Petersburg. There was no money for the pedestal and for many years Khmelnitskiy was standing on a brick pedestal and only in 1888 on the occasion of 900-year celebration of Rus Christening the deserving pedestal for the monument was created.
Bohdan Khmelnitskiy
Bohdan Khmelnitskiy (relatively 1595-1657) — state and military figure, in 1648 elected the Hetman of Ukraine. Under his leadership a war for liberation of Ukrainian people against Polish oppression in Ukraine started and successfully finished. On the 8th of January 1654 the non-agression and mutual assistance act about political and military union of Ukraine and Russia was publicly proclaimed in Pereyaslav.
4. Children park at Peyzajnaya alley
address: Bolshaya Jitomiskaya str., Peyzajnaya alley
Fountains with elephants and zebras, 30-foot cat-centipede and benches in the shape of rabbits, crows and cats.
5. Andreevskiy spusk
Andreevskiy spusk is one of the most beautiful streets of Kiev. From the ancient times it was the way that connected Old Kiev (Upper city) with Podol (Lower city).
Andreevskiy spusk history
By the legend Andreevskiy spusk took its name after St. Andrew Pervozvanniy. The story tells that in former times there was the sea were now Dnieper flows, but when St. Andrew came and placed a cross on the top of the hill the water had hidden. Nowadays Andreevskaya church is standing on this place.
In the times of Kievan Rus Andreevskiy spusk was the shortest way from Upper city where were situated Golden Gates and St. Sofia Cathedral to Lower city — Podol, where was city port and craft and trade wards.
In 1711 by the order of Kiev governor-general the passage between Zamkovaya and Andreevskaya hills had been widen, thus it became suitable not only for pedestrians and horsemen, but also for carriages and wagons.
Contemporary buildings of Andreevskiy spusk were mostly constructed in the end of XIX and beginning of ХХ centuries. Here lived and worked many famous scientists, writers, composers, artists and sculptors.
Nowadays Andreevskiy spusk is called Kiev Monmartr — there are a lot of picture-galleries along the street and painters, musicians, artists are coming here almost every day. Here you can buy Ukrainian souvenirs — embroidered clothes, painted plates and dishes. Every year during the Days of the City on Andreevskiy spusk the festival of national crafts is held.
6. Podol
Podol which lies along Dnieper bank is one of the oldest Kiev regions. Several centuries ago it was a district of trade and craftsmen. Ships loaded with goods, pilgrims and travelers came to main city port which was situated here. Nowadays Podol became one of the most prestige Kiev districts.
Podol history
By the times of Kievan Rus Podol was trade district of Kiev — handy-craftsman wards, main city port, harbor and custom house were situated there. This part of Kiev was also called Nijniy Gorod(Lower City), may be only here has remained old names of streets by the time of Kievan Rus — Schekavitskaya, Kojumyatskaya, Khorevaya, Borisoglebskaya, Degtyarnaya.
Podol starts from Pochtovaya square. In the center of it stands the reconstructed church of Christ Birth. Here is main river-boat station and Dnieper wharf Across the road is situated lower station of funicular.
From Pochtovaya square starts Sagaydachnogo street, with small 2-3 storied buildings astride, which were built in 19-20 centuries. During the days-off the street is pedestrian.
Sagaydachnogo street leads to Kontraktovaya square — the heart of Podol. The square took its name in 19 century here trade fairs were conducted and contracts were made — the prototypes of modern stock-exchange deals. The square is divided into two parts by the building of Gostiniy Dvor (shopping arcade). Across the street stands one of the oldest Kiev educational institutions — Kiev-Mohyla Academy were studied many famous people, among them was Gregory Skovoroda, Gulak Artemovskiy, Pilip Orlik and even Michail Lomonosov. Another one interesting thing on Kontraktovaya square is rotunda with the sculpture of Samson with Lion under it. 100 years before it was a fountain and legend said that everybody who drinks from it will stay in Kiev forever.
Tour of the centre of Kyiv 1
1. Kreshchatik and Maydan Nezalejnosti
Kreschatik is the main street of Kiev. It passes through 3 squares — among them is Maydan Nezalejnosti (Independence Square), the main square of the city. During the days off the car traffic is closed and the street is pedestrian.
Kreschatik history
Several hundreds years ago on this place was overgrown by trees deep valley, with a small stream flowing along it. This valley was called «Kreschatiy Yar» that is where the name of the street comes from. There was a road along the stream which leaded towards the Dnieper.
From the 18 century this road started to build up and changed into street. There was situated the houses of rich townsmen and administrative building of Kiev power authorities. In 1914 Kreschatik was fully build up by solid wall of houses — in majority it were three-storey buildings of shops, restaurants, hotels, banks and offices. All business, trading and administrative life of the city started to move on Kreschatik. Here were electricity, water pipe, gas, sewer system, and from 1892 ran first in tsarist Russia tramway.
During the World War II Kreschatik was almost fully destroyed, remained only the block of buildings near Bessarabian marketplace. In 1948 the plan of Kreschatik reconstruction was approved — new architectural ensemble had been formed, the street was broaden and from one side the chestnut tree terrace was formed. Thanks to this Kreschatik is especially beautiful in spring when chestnuts are blossoming.
2. Maydan Nezalejnosti(Independence square) history
Up to the end of X century this place and the whole Kreschatik was the forest thicket. Later here appeared Lyadskie Vorota — one of Kiev gates which opened the way to the upper city.
First buildings appeared here in the middle of 19 century. On the square was open-air market and circus performances took place. In the 1876 the there was constructed the building of town council. In 1913 on the square appeared the monument to the tsar prime minister Stolypin.
Аfter the October revolution in 1917 the monument was destroyed and the square took the name of Kalinin. During the World War II almost all buildings of the square was destroyed. The new building ensemble was created. In the 1976–81 the square was reconstructed — here appeared the monument of great October revolution with Lenin in the center. The square took the name of Great October Social Revolution.
After Ukraine became a sovereign state the square was renamed into Independence Square. In 2001 the square was reconstructed again — instead of revolution monument the Independence monument was placed — the girl in Ukrainian national dress standing on high column — she is holding in hands snowball tree branch. Under the square now is situated trade center «Globus».
3. Mariyinsky park
address:Grushevskiy str., 5
Park with the area of 10,7 has a landscape design. Shadow, hospital park with old chess-nuts, maples and lime-trees is a unique memory of the landscape design art of the past.
History of Mariyinsky park
Until 1870 in front of the palace there was a drill-ground for the military training. Garden with the observation spot was laid out in compliance with the order of Maria Alexsandrovna, the wife of Nikolai II. In 1874 under her sponsorship was completed regular park in English landscape style with an area of 8,9 hectares. Later on park changed it's appearance — there were planted shrubs, decorated trees. Many of them preserved till today. During these times park was called — Zarskiy, it got his name Mariinskiy after the founder-empress later.
At the end of ХІХ century in the park was mounted cast iron fountain, one of the series installed over all Kiev casted on Kiev Termen casting plant and remaining intact till today. Along the alleys were installed marble busts and sculptures with explanatory engravings.
During the Civil was Mariyinsky park was used as a honorable burial place. In 1918 there appeared common grave of the participants of the January rebel of 1918. Some time later, in 1944 at the former chapel location was buried Soviet army genera Nikolay Vatutin, who deliberated Kiev from German troops. Over his grave was established a granite monument, which is still there today.
4. Maryinskiy palace
address:Grushevskogo str., 5а
Mariinskiy palace in Kiev is a President's of Ukraine mansion-house, it is also called President Palace — here solemn state events, rewarding, receptions and meeting of official delegations are held.
Maryinskiy Palace history
Empress Elizaveta Petrovna (daughter of Petr I) once visiting Kiev was fascinated by city's beauty and ordered to built a special palace for the royal family, she has personally chose the place for future building in Pechersk district. Mariinskiy palace was constructed in 1750-1755 by the project of main royal court architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who had constructed Winter Palace (Zimniy Dvorets) in Saint Petersburg. In various years in Mariinskiy palace stayed members of tsar family and higher aristocracy representatives during their visits to Kiev.
During its long history the palace was repeatedly reconstructed. In 1870 the fire occurred and the wooden second floor of the palace was destroyed, after that new stone floor was overbuild. In 1874 in the palace stayed Maria Alexandrovna — the wife of Tsar Alexandr Osvoboditel. She proposed to make a park on the opposite to palace. Right in her honor the Mariinskiy residence was named.
After the revolution of 1917 communist party came to power. Different organization had been placed in palace building: revolution committee and deputy Council, than military head quarter staff, than agricultural and Shevchenko's museum. In the time of World War II the air bomb got into palace building, so the central part was destroyed. After the war the palace was reconstructed anew.
When Ukraine became the independent state Mariinskiy Palace became the official President's of Ukraine mansion-house.
5. Dynamo Kiev
Full name: FC Dynamo Kyiv
Founded: 1927
Home stadium: Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium (Capacity: 16,900)
Chairman: Ihor Surkis
League: Ukrainian Premier League
The club was founded in 1927 as an amateur team, part of Dinamo, a nation-wide Soviet sport society. This society later became officially funded and patronized by the NKVD (a KGB predecessor), and later by the interior ministry (MVD). In the 1950s–1980s, team players were even officially ranked as police or interior armed forces officers. However, thousands of ordinary Soviet citizens paid symbolic membership fees for the "sport society". The first recorded match Dynamo played on 17 July 1928 against another Dynamo from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. Soon as the club gained more experience and played on a regular basis, it started to fill the stadium with spectators. The club and football popularity in general in Soviet Ukraine was on the rise.
Stadium
Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Kiev, Ukraine. It is currently used mostly for football matches, and is the home of FC Dynamo Kyiv. The stadium holds 16,888 people, and was built in 1934. A reconstruction plan has been approved to increase the number of seats to 30,000, and to add a roof over the stand. The stadium is used for most domestic games and minor European games, while Dynamo Kyiv play their major European games at the Olimpiysky Sport Complex, due to the limit of the current seating capacity at the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium.
6. Park of Fame
At the entrance to the park you will see stele, to which goes road with Great Patriotic War heroes names on both sides of it. Obelisk is about 27 meters high (about 88 feet). At the obelisk footing there is eternal flame as a memory of all soldiers died in that war. Monument was made according to the project of architects A.M. Miletsky, V.V. Baklanov V.Novikova. Around the memorial is sightseeing are that gives you one of the best Kiev Panorama views on the left bank.Park is neighbouring with Kievo-Pechersk Lavra(the place that must be visited otherwise you havent seen Kiev). Park covers a big territory so it is a perfect place for picnic with friends or moonlight walk with someone you love.
7. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
address: Lavrskaya str., 21
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Cave Monastery) is a unique monastery complex, which is included in UNESCO world heritage list. It was visited by more than 43 millions of tourists from all over the world.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is a unique monastery complex, which is included in UNESCO world heritage list. It was visited by more than 43 millions of tourists from all over the world.
History of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
Kiev-Pechersk-Lavra originates in 1051, when a monk Antoniy had settled in this place in dug out on a hill slope cave. Soon other monks joined him and started to widen the caves, later when underground space could not house all community — to construct overground buildings.
From the 70th of XI century in the monastery intensive building had begun, here was constructed Uspenskiy Cathedral, Troitskaya Church and refectory.
The monastery played very important role in Ukrainian culture development — the first printing-house was established here, many famous chroniclers, writers, scientists, painters, doctors lived and worked. In 1113 Chronicler Nestor wrote his «Tale of Bygone Years» («Povest vremennyh let») — the main source of knowledge about the times of Kievan Rus.
After a great fire of 1718 the restoration of damaged building and the construction of new one had began. Holy Dormition Cathedral and Troitskaya Church got its present-day baroque style, the monastery territory was surrounded by stone walls. Thus in the middle of the XVIII century the unique architectural ensemble of Lavra had been formed. It preserved till our times for the most part. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra became the largest monastery on the territory of former Kievan Rus, its total square was almost 30 hectares.
After Communist Party came to power in 1917 the hard times for the monastery had begun — it was closed and all its property had been nationalized, some time after in the part of monastery buildings museums were placed.
In 1941 during World War II the Holy Dormition Cathedral had been blown up. Up to now there are no exact facts who realized the blasting operations — Germans or Soviet underground.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Caves
Lavra caves is the system of underground passages, divided into two parts — Far and Near Caves. First annalistic mentions of Lavra Caves are related to 1051. At first caves were occupied by the monks who lived their, later in caves started to bury dead settlers of the monastery. In particular there are remains of Chronicle Nestor the author of the «Story of bygone years», Ilya Muromets — Russian epic hero and the relics of imperishable Lavra saints.
In some underground cells lived hermit monks, who devoted their lives to prayers — in the walls of cave passages had remained small holes through which they got water and food.
There are legends about the extent of Lavra caves, — it's said that underground passages stretches under the Dnieper and also connects Lavra with other monastery caves of Kiev and Chernigov.
8. The Museum of the Great Patriotic War
In June 1943, in the middle of the battle for liberation of Ukraine, the Republic's government made a decision to create a museum of the Great Patriotic War of the Ukrainian people. However, other priority issues, like reconstruction and development of the economy, postponed the implementation of this decision till 70s of the previous century.
The Ukrainian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 was established in commemoration of 30th anniversary of Ukraine's liberation from the Nazi invaders on Pechersk hills in the former Klovsky Palace on 17 October 1974. It immediately drew attention of the public and numerous visitors. It became obvious that scale of the topic and rich collection demand different scientific concept and special premises. The work started to establish Memorial complex named The Ukrainian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, which was finally opened on 9 May 1981.
The museum is the biggest in Ukraine in terms of its size and importance. Its collection, which is permanently replenished, includes more than 300 thousand exhibits. This enables to refresh the main exposition and permanent relic expositions named Tragedy and Valor of Afghanistan and Wars on Foreign Soil, as well as to create numerous annual exhibitions. Nowadays, the Memorial is a leading research, scientific, methodological, cultural and educational center of military history of Ukraine. Over 24 million visitors from almost 200 countries have familiarized themselves with its expositions.
Taking into account the importance of the Memorial Complex as a unique memory sight of the national culture, as well as to preserve its historic and cultural values, the museum was granted National status by a decree of the President of Ukraine dated 21 June 1996. Since then, the museum bears the name of the Memorial complex «The National Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945».
9. Rodina-mat statue
Rodina-mat — monumental women's sculpture dominating Dnieper hills and visible from remote locations. It's height is 102 meters, which is higher than Independence monument in USA.
Rodina-mat monument history
Rodina-mat monument plan was generated by famous soviet sculpture Evgeniy Vuchetich. According to his idea monument should be covered by gold leaf and at its foot it should be a 30m waterfall streaming to the Dnieper and surrounded by soldiers forcing the river. Sadly Vuchetich died before turning his dream into life. Afterwards monument accomplishment was directed to the group of sculptures, headed by Vasiliy Boroday. As a result the whole project was significantly re-worked.
Monument plating was melted in Zaporozje, it was manufactured from 1.5 mm thick sheets of stainless still, sized 50×50 sm. Than it was welded in Kiev Paton institute. Total seam length is about 30 km. Monument was manufactured from welded together separate block-sections, 25-30 tons each. In one hand it holds shield with the National Emblem of the USSR (weight — 13 tons), in another — 16 m long sward, weighting 9 tons.
Monument was assembled using 100-m crane, which according to official information was in turn manufactured on one of the Donbas blast furnaces but according to non-official sources was ordered from the Japanese company KATO. It was specially negotiated that assembly parts will not contain. It was not enough time to dismount the crane before the official opening ceremony. Therefore it was simply cut into pieces and dumped into the Dnieper. They may be still found there.
According to the local legend during monument construction Kiev's Metropolitan called First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine Vladimir Sherbitskiy and told him that he had a sign telling him that the sward, war symbol, can not be higher than the Lavra's cross — symbol of piece. Otherwise it will be unleashed long and bloody war. Supposedly afterwards sward was shortened up to 16 m.
Rodina-mat was opened on May, 9 1981. Opening ceremony was attended by the General Secretary of the Communist Party Leonid Brezhnev.
Technical merit of the monument is regularly controlled. According to design calculations monument can even withstand an earthquake of 9 scores. Top sward edge contains a special device to dump wind vibrations. To move people and provide technical maintenance monument contains inside two elevators — inclined and vertical (moved by stream-rollers under the angle 75 degrees). According to prognosis it shall stand over 150 years.
Rodina-mat monument constitutes a part of the Great Patriotic war museum. The whole complex occupies a territory of 20 hectares. It also includes Great Patriotic war museum, located directly under the monument, cup «Fire of Glory», alley of cities-heroes, site of the military equipment of the Great Patriotic war and multiple sculptures, symbolizing heroic fight at front and rear.
Monday 11 June 2012, 20.45CET
#8: Ukraine vs Sweden
Friday 15 June 2012, 20.45CET
#15: Sweden vs England
Tuesday 19 June 2012, 20.45CET
#24: Sweden vs France
Sunday 24 June 2012, 20.45CET
#28: Quarter-final 4
Sunday 1 July 2012, 20.45CET
#31: Final
The quickest and the most comfortable public transport in Kyiv is the subway (metro). The Kyiv subway has 49 stations and 3 branch lines of the subway with 3 interchange stations. The price is 2 UAH. There are also a lot of buses, trolleybuses and trams (the price is 1.5 UAH).
In addition, minibuses (popularly called "marshrutka" or Maxi-Taxi) operate on the same routes (often with a branch) and cost 2 to 3 UAH. A separate line of express tramway connects Victory Square and the Central Railway Station with Borschagivka (the price is 1.5 UAH).
A circular city train ("elektrychka") was started in October 2011 that connects the railway stations in the city boundaries and metro stations (the price is 1.7 UAH).
How to get your ticket?
Metro: you can buy tokens at the stations' ticket offices.
Trams, trolleybuses and buses: you can buy tickets at the stations' ticket offices or from the cabin of the conductor or driver. It is obligatory to punch (validate) your ticket in the machines onboard, otherwise it will not be valid.
City train: tickets are sold at the stations' ticket offices.
"Marshrutka": the drivers sell tickets.
To leave a social legacy in Poland and Ukraine UEFA supports, besides RESPECT Fan Culture – Fans' Embassies, three further programmes that aim on social change.
50% of all European disabled people have never participated in leisure or sport activities. EURO 2012 provides an opportunity to improve access to football and for the removal of physical, sensory and intellectual barriers in public places in the region. It is recognised that supporting and playing football is an integral and vital part of European culture and tradition. Football is increasingly diverse; this naturally includes many more disabled people. The Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE) has formed a disability alliance in the region to help to deliver the awareness project, Respect Inclusion – Football with No Limits.
For more information about accessible venues and facilities in Kyiv, please go to http://euro2012.cafefootball.eu/Kiev.aspx
EURO 2012 offers a unique chance to promote a positive message of diversity and inclusion. The programme will be delivered on behalf of FARE by the long established regional partner, the 'Never Again' Association. Civil society organisations, and ethnic minorities in particular, have been motivated to engage with the preparations. Important stakeholders have signed up to the anti-discrimination agenda. The FARE activities concentrate on minimizing the risk of racist incidents during the tournament as well as promotion of anti-discrimination measures.
LGBT-life in Ukraine
Homosexuality is legal in both Ukraine and Poland, but that doesn't mean to say people are as accepting of it as they are in Western Europe. Public displays of affection in general could be frowned upon, even more so if it's between members of the same sex. There are discreet, lively gay scenes in the larger cities but outside the main tourist cities they are virtually non-existent.
Kyiv Pride 2012
LGBT becomes more and more open in Ukraine, raising a lot public discussion. There are a lot of gay people on TV, in show-business, fashion, and other relative domains. However, they prefer not to unveil their sexual orientation, being afraid to lose affection of the public and destroy their career.
During the recent years several attempts were made to organise peaceful demonstrations by LGBT groups, but those attempts were either banned by local authorities or attacked by radical groups like nationalists or skin heads. Yet, for the first time in the national history, the International Forum-Festival «KyivPride2012» will be organised to take place in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in May 19-21, 2012. More info: http://www.lgbtua.com/pride/en/
RESPECT your Health - Euroschools 2012 is the official community health education programme of the UEFA EURO 2012. This one-year project aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, with a focus on smoking prevention, responsible alcohol consumption, healthy diet and physical activity among young people and their families in Poland and Ukraine. Through a train the trainers approach, local institutions and NGOs in the eight UEFA EURO 2012 host cities will be empowered to activate their communities and promote good health. A guide will help coaches, teachers, social workers and Orlik animators use the power of football and sport to engage communities, increase health literacy levels, and establish a common feeling of ownership for public (sport) grounds.
UEFA EURO 2012 will be tobacco-free. A complete ban on the use, sale or promotion of tobacco will be in force in both indoor and outdoor areas of all match venues. Put into place to protect the health, safety and comfort of all fans and other tournament participants, the tobacco ban complements other activities such as Respect your Health that use the force of football to promote social issues.
EURO tournaments bring people together on and off the pitch. All sorts of encounters are made, some closer than others. The fun may know no bounds, but there are of course rules. Encounters between people from all over Europe can be unforgettable, as long as they are respectful, good humoured and a danger to no one. Show HIV and AIDS the red card. The HIV virus doesn't play fair, so you have to. Unforgettable encounters should leave no lasting damage. When you think fun and passion, think health too: condoms protect!
Getting There
Stadiums 
Fans' Embassies
Public Viewing 
Accommodation 
Going out 
Local Club(s) 
Fans 
Things to do and see 
Match day Info 
Getting Around 
Respect 
Show all