The capital of Ukraine is an ancient city, its history goes back to the 5th century. In the 9th century the city became a big trading centre of Eastern Europe linked through the Dnieper and the Black sea with the Caucasus, the Middle East countries and Rome. The city of Kyiv and the power of Kievan Rus were destroyed in 1240 by Mongol invaders and the lands of Kievan Rus were divided into principalities located to the westand north: Galicia, Volynia, Muscovy and later, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia. Once a powerful force on the European scene, Ukraine's fate in modern times has been decided in far-off capitals. As a result, modern Ukrainian history, for the most part, has been defined by foreign occupation. Kyiv suffered severely during World War II, and many irreplaceable architectural and art treasures were destroyed. Earlier in the 1930's the Soviet authorities systematically destroyed many churches. Extensive restoration has revived much of historic Kyiv.
Despite repressions, suffering and political turmoil, Ukraine's spirit and national identity have never died. On August 24, 1991, after the aborted coup in Moscow, Ukraine proclaimed its independence. As of 1994, Ukraine has diplomatic relations with over 135 countries and close to 60 diplomatic missions is established in Kyiv. News correspondents, business representatives, and students from all over the world reside in Kyiv, and the flow of foreign tourists and official delegations is heavy year round. The art and architecture of Kyiv are world treasures. The Cathedral of St. Sophia, where the princes of Kyiv were crowned in the years of Kiev s grandeur, has outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century. Overlooking the old section of Kyiv, Podol, stands the Ukrainian Baroque church of St. Andrew, much beloved by Ukrainians.
The Pecherska Lavra, the Monastery of the Caves, a short trolley ride from the centre of town, has two 11th-century cathedrals on its grounds, in addition to its world-famous catacombs, bell tower, and museum collections. Close to the centre of town stands the Golden Gate, a structure which dates back to 1037. These recently reconstructed remains of the former fortified wall of the city defined the limits of the city in centuries past. Several blocks away, stands the magnificent 19th-century Cathedral of St. Volodymyr. Kiev is the centre of Ukrainian culture. Many research institutes and higher educational establishments are to be found here. Theatre buffs will find much to choose from here. Most performances are in Ukrainian or Russian. The recently renovated Kyiv Opera House presents very good opera as well as a broad repertoire of ballets. The Kyiv Young Theatre is very popular and stages innovative plays in Ukrainian or Russian. The Ivan Franko Theatre is the centre of Ukrainian drama, comedy, and musicals.
The modern centre with surviving parts of the old city is on the hilly west, or right bank, of the Dnieper River. The main street, Khreshchatik, runs between two steep hills. Parallel about half a kilometre west, is Volodymyrska Street, the main street of the Old Kyiv area. From the north end of Khreshchatik, Hrushevskoho Street rises southeast along a ridge to the Caves Monastery at Pechersk. Woods and parks cover most of the steep right-bank slopes. The capital's newer sections stretch out on the flat left bank. These are characterized by large housing developments and industrialized neighbourhoods. The picturesque green banks and hills, plentiful flower-beds with millions of different flowers, wonderful beaches of the Dnieper, the Kreshchatik, one of the widest and most beautiful streets in our country all this adds up to the beauty of the Ukrainian capital. If only once you visited Kiev, you are sure to feel like coming back there again and agai