12 Interesting
Facts about Kiev
Kiev is the capital of Ukraine, and every traveler must visit this place. The city is surrounded by greenery, and the locals are always hospitable. Here you can try world-famous potato pancakes, borscht, dumplings with potatoes and vodka with pepper.
The city has many historical attractions, museums, places of worship, as well as entertainment for children and adults. Welcome to the "heart" of Ukraine, a city with over 1500 year history. Well, in order to get familiar with Kiev and enjoy even more, we bring your attention to some interesting facts about one of the greenest capitals in the world.
Fact 1 Green Legend of Kiev
Be sure to visit the oldest tree in Kiev, and perhaps in the world (if we take into account only the trees of this species). This is about the majestic oak of Wilhelm Christer, that is 6 or 7 centuries old. It will be possible to say its age for sure by counting the rings on the cut, which is still impossible to do because no one is planning to cut this “living monument”. You can see this ancient oak at Osipovsky str, Vintryani Hory.
Fact 2 "Motherland" the most magnificent monument
This interesting fact about Kiev best conveys the spirit of patriotism, recalling the importance of loving the place where a person was born.
Moreover, the monument itself is one of the five highest monumental buildings in the world and has a height of 102 meters. You can see it in the territory of the open-air museum complex dedicated to the Great Patriotic War.
Fact 3 Orthodox will appreciate it
St. Andrew’s Cathedral is one of the most original Orthodox churches not only in Ukraine, but perhaps in the world. The fact is that the bells were never installed on it, and there is an explanation for that. According to the legend, there was a deep-water reservoirin this place, which went down to earth after the wanderer-saint set up a cross on Andreevskoy mountain. Legend also says that it was he who predicted the construction of the temple and the birth of the city. After the prediction came true, the locals did not want to install the bells, explaining that, perhaps, at the first sound of the bell ringing the water could get back.
Fact 4 Amusing
Vladimir Savchenko, a writer who lived in Kiev for a long time, joked calling the capital of Ukraine “Khabarovsk on the Dnipro River”. But it has nothing to do with the Russian explorer Khabarov, this name simply comes from the word “Khabar” or “bribe”. We hope that those times went nowhere a long time ago and have nothing to do with the modern inhabitants of Kiev.
Fact 5 Unique
Don’t be surprised walking along the streets of Kiev and meeting a monument to a garbage truck. Yes, this is the place where the only monument to the legendary car has been installed.
Kievans even invented their superstitious belief, which they will gladly tell everyone who asks them. It is necessary to leave a coin near the vehicle and your home and life will be always neat and clean. Although, following this rule does not free you from not keeping your home clean.
The monument was installed in 2004 on the Hazoprovidna str., 2 in gratitude to the workers of public utilities for maintaining cleanliness in the streets of the city.
Fact 6 The Deepest
Try to remember the Arsenalna metro station, which is included in the Kiev branched undergound. The fact is that it is 105 meter deep and is considered one of the deepest in the world. People say that there secret tunnels in it in case of political upheavals or wars, but let this secret remain a secret and never give a reason to take advantage of its underground secrets.
Fact 7 The first "skyscraper"
Ginzburg House is the first skyscraper in Ukraine built in 1910-1912. At that time it was the tallest building. It's funny that the pilgrims who came from everywhere to the Kiev-Pechersk and St. Sophia Lavra, took it for a magnificent temple and considered it their duty to worship and cross themselves at the foot of this apartment building.
Unfortunately, the unique building was destroyed during the German occupation of the city in 1941.
Fact 8 Note for a Foodie.
Ukrainian cuisine is famous for its rich taste and simple design. Despite the fact that the dish served in the restaurant will have a simple and homely appearance, its taste is praiseworthy and can easily add it to your favorite recipes and try to make them home.
Along with the national cuisine, there are restaurants that also serve Japanese, Chinese and, of course, European cuisine. So Kiev is a place where a tourist can feel completely at ease and not worry about some exotic food may be unfamiliar with.
Fact 9 Kiev in Miniature
This would be useful to those who arrived to Kiev for a short time, but at the same time wants to see as many sights as possible. If you are this type of tourist, then welcome to the "Kiev in miniature" Park.
The masters have designed models of the most significant and beautiful buildings of the capital at a scale of 1:33. This is a great chance to see Kiev from a different angle and, moreover, a perfect option for children who get tired of long excursions.
Fact 10 The most Visited
The most visited museum in Kiev is the National Historical and Cultural Reserve "Kiev Pechersk Lavra". Like many centuries ago, pilgrims and tourists from all over the world strive to visit this amazing place that witnessed the nobility and good. According to the media sources, about a million tourists come here every year.
Fact 11 Metro Station that is worth Admiring
The Golden Gate, which is one of the ten most beautiful underground stations in the world, is considered the most admiring station of the Kiev metro. Mosaic reconstructions of the images of the princes of Kievan Rus, the churches of Kiev and the complex ornaments of the arches of the platforms make this station a real work of art. By the way, all the mosaics are unique.
If you enter the Golden Gate metro station from the street and make your way clockwise on the platform (walking forward on the left side and then taking right side on the way back) you can trace the history of Ancient Kiev walking through the arches.
Fact 12 Prehistoric
Another interesting fact about Kiev is the limestone cave that you can see walking through the city center, and a minute after you will see dinosaurs and even a cabin of prehistoric people. No, this is not a joke, but a National Museum of Natural History, that has a combination of 5 fields in one ranging from Paleontology to Botany. The total area of the halls is 8,000 square meters. There you can learn about how our planet developed and what nationalities laid the foundation for the history of Ukraine.
Kiev is a city that you fall in love with it from the first sight. There is some kind of mystery in it, connected not only with the good and rich historical heritage, but also with amazing people who speak this beautiful language.
There are many places worth visiting, but for now, be sure to visit “Pirogovo Museum” with architectural monuments from all over Ukraine gathered under the open sky.