The capital's hilly terrain offer up breathtaking views.
Motherland Statue
The highest point to enjoy a panoramic view of Kyiv is located on the top of the shield that is being held by a metal lady perched high on the Dnipro hills.
The famous statue, called Mother Motherland, or Rodina Mat, is a fixture for the last 30 years since its unveiling in 1981. The height of the mighty monument, from the bottom of its pedestal to the top of its sword, is 102 meters, around the length of a standard football field. Tourists can take a lift to the top of the statue’s pedestal, which is 36.6 meters high, or catch a bird’s eye view of the city and the golden domes of the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves from the 91-meter high desk on the top of the statue’s shield.
24 Lavrska Street, tel. +38 (044) 285-9452.
Opens every day from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Starting from July 1, Monday is a day off.
The lift to 36.6 meters, an open-air platform on the top of the pedestal, costs Hr 50. To get to 91.0 meters, an open-air platform on the top of the shield, costs is for Hr 200.
www.warmuseum.kiev.ua
Bell towers
Some of the most picturesque views of Kyiv can be seen from the bell towers of city numerous monasteries and churches.
The highest of them is Great Lavra Bell tower of the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, built in the first part of the 18th century. It is 96.52 meters tall but currently is closed for the reconstruction. Try the bell tower of St. Sophia’s Cathedral. It offers views on the cathedral, built in the 11th century and considered the oldest building in the town. This bell tower also overlooks St. Michael’s Cathedral with its bell tower, situated nearby. The bell tower of St. Michael’s Monastery, in its turn, gives a splendid glance on the baroque-style bell tower of ancient St. Sophia’s Cathedral as well as on downtown Kyiv and the Dnipro.
Bell tower of St. Sophia’s Cathedral
24 Volodymyrska Street, +38 (044) 279-2256.
Open every day from 10 a.m. till 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday till 4:30. Ticket for adults is Hr 13, for children is Hr 11.
Bell tower of St. Michael’s Monastery
6 Triokhsviatytelska Street, +38 (044) 278-7068.
Open every day from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Monday is a day off. Ticket for adults is for Hr 14, for children is Hr 7.
Glory Park
The viewing deck in Glory Park offers a perfect view of the Metro Bridge over the Dnipro River and residential buildings on the left bank.
The park itself was built to commemorate those who perished fighting against Nazi Germany during World War II, or the Great Patriotic War, as it is known in these parts. In the park there is a Monument to Unknown Soldier, an eternal fire which burns there any time of the year and a candle-shaped monument to the victims of 1932-1933 famine.
The central entrance to the park is situated on Glory Square, not far from Arsenalna metro station.
Friendship of Nations Arch
This rainbow-shaped titanium arch, 50 meters in diameter, can be seen from far away on the way from Khreshchatyk Street or Podil to Yevropeyska Square.
This Soviet masterpiece was built in 1982 to symbolize the unity of the Russian and Ukrainian nations and was called Friendship of Nations Arch. Behind the monument there is a viewing platform where one can enjoy the landscape of the Dnipro River, the new bridge under construction and Podil, one of the oldest districts in Kyiv.
The platform is located in the park near Yevropeyska Square.
St. Andrew’s Church
St. Andrew’s Church, an 18th century gem of baroque style, is a must see place in Kyiv itself.
Around it there is also a platform offering a close panorama of the Dnipro River, the Podil district and picturesque Andriyivsky Uzviz, an ancient descent whose recent reconstruction sparked hot discussions and public protests in the city.
23 Andriyivsky Descent.
Kyiv Post staff writer Oksana Faryna can be reached at [email protected].
