Each spring Kiev is changing markedly because the city is covered by numerous green parks, lakes, forests and gardens, wich give to Kiev a specific charm and beauty, especially remarkable during the spring.
Kiev is a remarkable city and among one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. It offers large green territories and sparkling waterways right in the middle of this amazing city. Not only can you see the islands within the Dnipro River which is most undeveloped and has thick forest areas but there are also wonderfully large parks on the banks of the Dnipro and gorgeous cities that surround the forest. Towards the end of April you will start to see the city bloom and many of the Kievites will take walks through the botanical garden to see the beautiful flowers. May and June will be the months when Kiev is alive and so beautiful that the scenes are breathtaking for those of Kiev and the tourist alike

Podil is an old district of Kiev, where craftsmen and fishermen used to live in the past. The district architecture was formed after fire of 1811, when all the wooden constructions burnt down.
Andriyivsky Uzviz and Kiev’s funicular join the original “upper city” with Podil, the Dnipro floodplain turned residential neighbourhood. To get here, take the funicular: the ride is fun, the view is good and the ticket’s price is low.Otherwise, take the metro to Kontraktova Ploshcha or Poshtova Ploshcha, walk down the Uzvis, or take a taxi.

Long ago, Podil was the commercial area of Kiev, where foreign merchants and craftsmen lived and labored far away from the more refined churches and palaces on the hill (hence the river port, contract house and larger market spaces)
Walking around Podil with the intention of sightseeing is a worthy endeavour. In addition to the historic buildings there is the Dniper embankment with the river port and several monuments to see.
Kontraktova square is the central space of Podil. As in centuries past, this area is still an open market of sorts and becoming a popular focal point of restaurants and night clubs.
Podil is also home of Mohylanska Academy, one of the oldest Kiev’s and ukrainian educational institutions, founded on 1615.

Numerous attractions of Podil particularly include: Frolivskyi and Pokrovskyi Monasteries, House of Ivan Mazepa (Ivan MazepaIvan Stepanovych Mazepa , Cossack Hetman of the Hetmanate in Left-bank Ukraine, in 1687–1708) , House of Peter the Great, Fountain of Samson, Zamkova (The place is calles “Zamkova” because in XVI century Lithuanian Duke Vitovt had his castle here) ,Andriyivskyy Descent — the main link of Podil to the city’s administrative Uppertown, Kiev River Port, Kiev funicular (The funicular was constructed during 1902-1905, and was first opened to the public on 7 May, 1905), Poshtova Square.
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If you only have time to visit one museum while in Kiev we would advise you to go to the Museum of One Street. It’s very small and charming but still manages to illustrate the history of some of most prominent residents of Andrew’s Descent. You will find this exposition walking down the Andreyevsky Spusk (Andrew’s descent) which connects the upper and lower parts of the city and is one of the oldest in Kiev.
The museum was only opened in 1991, but the idea was to gather together as many items as possible from the houses in the street through the ages and to build displays from the past, ranging from writing desks to complete room interiors and shop fronts.
It’s a small, but fascinating museum, which is certainly very popular with tourists. The staff also conduct walking tours of Kiev, so it’s a good place to start if you’re in need of a little guidance.

These pictures were made approximately at the middle of 19th century. The Square was called Dumska at that time and it did not change untill 1941

This picture is taken on 1944, just after soviet army liberated Kiev. Not only Square of Independence, but almost all Kiev center was under total destruction. Need to say that the most of ruinations were made by retreating soviet army.

This is photo of 1960th. Square was named in honor of October Revolution. Many people are still remember this gorgeous view of square and think it was much better and nicer then present.

Modern Square of Independence, after reconstruction. Many people do not understand why architects placed so much glass constructions here.

One of University buildings (now Shevchenko blvd)

View to Podil at 1900

Old Kreshchatyk (view from Bessarabsky end)

kiev street and people

apartments kiev