Kiev, also known as Kyiv or Київ in Ukrainian is the capital of Ukraine. It is centrally located in the northern plains, about 600km from the eastern and western borders of Ukraine. With almost three million inhabitants it is the most populous city of Ukraine.
The area around Kiev has been settled since prehistoric times, but the exact date when the city was found is not clear. The traditional founding date is set to 482. Kiev started to prosper after the 9th century, as it developed as a trading centre along the Dnepr river. In 1240 Kiev was destroyed by Mongol armies and only recovered at the end of the 18th century when it became part of the Russian empire.
Nowadays Kiew lacks a clearly identifiable historic core, probably because it suffered massive distruction in World War II and older structures were replaced by modern ones during the Soviet period. There are lots of large buildings on wide streets, most built in Neoclassical or Soviet architecture. Some reconstruction seems to have focused on imposing, Dubai-style buildings, designed to impress.
From a touristic perspective the highlights of Kiev are its beautiful Orthodox churches with their golden domes. Podil, the area immediately north of St Michael's monastery, is quite and reminds a bit of the Montmartre area of Paris.
How to get to Kiev
Kiev is well connected, with two airports, a train station and motorways to the rest of the country.
Accommodation
There are many hotels in and near kiev, most of them bookable via the international booking portals.
St Michael monastery photo gallery  - 26 pictures of St Michael monastery
City centre photo gallery  - 38 pictures of City centre
Monastery of the Caves photo gallery  - 18 pictures of Monastery of the Caves
Other churches photo gallery  - 19 pictures of Other churches
26 photos of St. Michael's golden-domed monastery in Kiev
38 photos of the central area of Kiev
18 photos of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Kiev monastery of the caves
19 photos of the St Sophia, St Andrew and St Nicholas churches in Kiev
Dnepr river photo gallery  - 9 pictures of Dnepr river
Podil photo gallery  - 6 pictures of Podil
9 photos of the Dnepr river in Kiev
6 photos of Podil, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Kiev
Military parade photo gallery  - 11 pictures of Military parade
Miscellaneous images photo gallery  - 27 pictures of Miscellaneous images
11 photos of a military parade in Kiev
27 miscellaneous photos of Kiev
Gallery with all images
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