Kiev is the mother of Russian cities. Located on the banks of the Dnieper River, the city seems to float above it. The beauty and grandeur of the ancient capital amaze and mesmerize. Kiev belongs to those cities of Europe, whose history reflected the fate of entire nations and states. The history of Kiev dates back to the depths of centuries. Thanks to archaeological excavations it is known that there were primitive sites and settlements on its territory. The foundation of Kiev, as well as many other ancient cities, is covered with poetic legends, but according to the chronicles, it falls on the end of V-beginning of VII century AD.
The banks of the Dnieper in those distant times were inhabited by the tribes of the Polans, from which came three brothers Kiy, Shchek and Horiv. Encouraged by their sister Lybedya, they founded Kiev-grad on the Zamkova Mountain. «And they built the town in the name of their oldest and called the name of it Kiev». At first in the city of Kiya there were small chambers of the founder, workshops and only one stone building. Not only a beautiful location, but also a favorable climate contributed to the rapid development of Kiev. Soon it became a powerful center of East Slavic tribes.
The city was built according to all the rules of early medieval defensive architecture — artificial fortifications were successfully supplemented by natural boundaries.
In 882 the city was taken over by Prince Oleg of Novgorod, who made it the princely capital. It reached its greatest development during the reign of Princes Vladimir Svyatoslavovich and Yaroslav the Wise (late X and early X centuries). After the adoption of Christianity in Russia in 988, Kiev became its religious center. This event played a major role in the establishment and development of Rus’ relations with Byzantium and other states of Europe and the Middle East. During this period, the population of Kiev increased, new districts were drawn into its boundaries, around which powerful fortifications were erected, making the capital of Ancient Rus an impregnable fortress. The city was divided into the Upper part, where the best aristocratic buildings were located, and the Lower part, where artisans and traders lived.
The pogrom of the Mongol-Tatar conquerors led by Batu Khan in 1240 leads to a prolonged decline of Kiev. Many buildings and churches in the city were left in ruins. But, nevertheless, after this devastating invasion from the XIII century Kiev began to revive and rebuild. The introduction of Magdeburg law in the XV century contributed to the significant development of political and economic life of the city.
The reunification of Ukraine with the Moscow state contributes to the revival and growth of the city. In different districts began to introduce stone dwelling houses with the application of new techniques and forms, ancient fortifications are expanded and restored.
In the early XIX century. Kiev becomes one of the largest trade centers of Russia. The rapid development of the city during this period formed the grid of streets of the present center. On the eve of the First World War, Kiev had more than 300 streets with a total length of about 200 kilometers, and the population was 594.4 thousand people. At the beginning of the XX century, a large number of buildings belonging to the Art Nouveau architectural style appeared in it.
Today Kiev is a major economic, political and cultural capital. It rightfully belongs to the most beautiful cities not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe. Its historical part has more than 1000 architectural, cultural and historical monuments. The picturesque nature of the Kiev Mountains, majestic monuments of distant antiquity, famous Dnieper parks with breathtaking panoramas and modern architecture attract many tourists not only from all over Ukraine, but also from all over the world.
Whoever at least once took a look at the ancient architecture of the capital of Ukraine, admired the amazing and unique landscapes of the Dnieper, walked along the streets and parks, will definitely want to visit Kiev once again.