The Museum of Art named after Bogdan and Varvara Khanenko was founded on the basis of their private collections. The museum is also known as the Museum of Western and Oriental Art. Now it keeps one of the best collections of foreign art in Ukraine. From 1919, the number of exhibits has increased more than 13 times, from 1,250 to nearly 17,000 artworks and a total of 25,000 exhibits.
St Volodymyr's Cathedral is an attractive cathedral situated in the very heart of the capital city of Kiev in Ukraine. It is a prominent landmark of the city and is easy to spot with its eye-catching yellow walls and indigo cupolas. It is an exemplar of the unique neo-Byzantine architectural style. It was designed by Alexander Vikentievich Beretti and features six piers and three spectacular apses. The interiors of this house of worship are adorned with a marble iconostasis, mosaics, paintings and vibrant frescoes. Florid bronze sculptures can be spotted near the entryway. At present, this site is owned by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and is frequented by legions of people every year.
By President of Ukraine Decree dated 11 October 1994, the Theater granted national status. Since then, it is called the National Academic Drama Theatre of Ivan Franko. From the end of 2001, duties of art director received the outstanding actor and associate of S.Danchenko - national artist of Ukraine Bogdan Stupka. Since early 90's Theatre actively write their works in the European cultural context, touring in Germany, Austria, Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy, Poland, USA, where it finds a decent job assessment. Today repertoire is marked by diversity of genres. On the stage are both psychological performances, and plays of comedy plan, a number of musical performances, also heightened attention to modern drama.
Deep teal-colored onion domes, bejeweled with gold trimmings sit atop this grand Baroque church in the heart of Kiev. The church is perched atop the Andriyivska Hill and it offers from its vantage a soul-stirring panorama of Podil's historic neighborhood. The Saint Andrew's Church was built in 1754 to honor Saint Andrew, known to Ukrainians as the 'Apostle of Rus'. Designed by renowned Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the church was built when Russian Empress Elizabeth decided to build her summer abode in the city. She herself laid the first symbolic brick of the new palace and church. Among the many features of this splendid church, the sweeping stucco interiors and the tracery of iconostasis under the gold-laced central dome are held in high regard.
A series of gilded domes, undulating and gently cascading in their capacity, adorn the bright-green rooftops of one of Kiev's most extraordinary monuments, the Saint Sophia's Cathedral. This cathedral was built in the first half of the 11th Century to commemorate the victory of Yaroslav the Wise over the Pecheneg tribe. For years, the cathedral served as the interring site for several Kievan royals including Yaroslav himself. At the outset of the 12th and 13th centuries, the cathedral witnessed a wave of deterioration by Vladimir-Suzdal forces and Mongolian invasions, a situation that remained largely unchanged until the 16th Century. After Metropolitan Peter took the reins of the Orthodox church in 1633, the church slowly underwent a marked revival that continued well into the 18th Century. At this time, the cathedral's baroque extension included a bell tower, a seminary and a bakery, among other features. Today, St. Sophia is rightfully considered as the treasure of Ukraine and is protected by UNESCO.
The Literary Memorial Museum of Mikhail Bulgakov settles down in house number 13 on Andreevsky Uzviz. The exhibit opened its doors on May 15, 1991, and contains an impressive 3000 exhibits of the Russian writer's original belongings like books, photos, postcards and many more items. A visit to the museum will give you a sense of the various stages of Bulgakov's life, from being a pupil, student of medicine, family doctor to eventually, a writer.
The Chayka Sports Complex unites an aerodrome, racetrack and stadium. The aerodrome portion is covered with grass and used for light airplanes, helicopters and parachuting. The racetrack portion is very popular among fans of motor racing; it combines large and small tracks, a moto-track and a go-kart track. Finally, the stadium complex hosts open-air festivals, such as Chaykafest, Global Gathering, Global East Rock Festival, ProRock and more.
Not far from the contemporary cacophony of Kiev lies this nature park which is an endearing mosaic of ethereal greens. Perched atop the lofty hills of the city, this park is swathed in refreshing greenlands interspersed with the occasional swamp. Its topography is a melange of lakes, waterfalls, ponds and marshlands and the park is a teeming hotbed of biodiversity. Harboring a treasury of ancient oaks, this park is where wooded areas resemble a whole new world where leaves are not leaves, but magical flakes painted in otherworldy tinges of greens and yellows. Home to hundreds and hundreds of creatures, the park is as much known for its ecological diversity as it is for its unbridled natural magnificence. Here is where polecats, otters and water shrews scurry through lush, emerald-hued carpets, whereas bees and butterflies buzz deep into its forested heartland. A tapestry of winding trails slices through dense overgrowth at this park which is also stippled with numerous historic monuments, making it a site replete with a deeply-entrenched cultural heritage.
Housed within a fortress dating back to the nineteenth century, the Toilet History Museum, now one of the largest collections of toilet bowls in the world, actually had its humble beginnings in a private collection. From Egyptian Limestone toilet seats to Victorian Era English flush toilets, the museum houses it all. With more than 500 pieces from different eras and places, the museum is literally one-of-a-kind. Besides toilet bowls, one can also find squatting pots, urinals and chamber pots here.
The medieval St. Cyril's Monastery, founded in 1140 contains the famous St. Cyril's Church and museum. The monastery was named in honor of Saint Cyril, one of the most eminent Orthodox saints. Today, the monastery stands as a fine example of Ukrainian Baroque style architect with the church reflecting rich Kievan Rus' interiors. A visit to this ancient site is a must to get a feel of the cultural heritage of Kiev.
The Museum of Art named after Bogdan and Varvara Khanenko was founded on the basis of their private collections. The museum is also known as the Museum of Western and Oriental Art. Now it keeps one of the best collections of foreign art in Ukraine. From 1919, the number of exhibits has increased more than 13 times, from 1,250 to nearly 17,000 artworks and a total of 25,000 exhibits.
One of the most prominent landmarks situated on Lavrska Street in Kiev is the stupendous Great Lavra Bell Tower. This beautiful ocher and ivory building, with its four florid tiers, is one of the most important heritage sites of the capital city. It is the principal bell tower of the renowned Kiev Pechersk Lavra - a historic cave monastery. It was designed by an architect named Johann Schädel, and it took almost 15 years to construct this building. It has a height of 96.5 meters (316 feet), and is the quintessence of Classical architectural style, with the Ionian, Doric and Corinthian columns adorning its tiers. Do give this site a visit if you happen to be in Kiev.