Things to see and do Ukraine

Located in the park of the Second World War Museum and inaugurated in 1992, this imposing 62 m long sculpture dominates the Dnieper. It represents the mother country stretching a sword and a shield towards the sky with the emblem of the USSR. With its pedestal, its height reaches 102 m, so it is one of the great landmarks of the city and a tutelary silhouette of the Kiev panorama.

One of the most famous cathedrals of Ukraine under the patronage of UNESCO. It derives its name from the Byzantine basilica of Sainte-Sophie in Istanbul (today a museum after being transformed into mosques by the Ottomans). Founded in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav Mudriy and remaniée on several occasions, it is a superb testimony to Baroque art. Scientists consider it a perfect model of the synthesis of the arts that reflects the glory and grandeur of Kiev Rus. It was erected in the th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and for a long time was the centre of the religious, political, cultural and social life of ancient Rus. It was the crowning place of princes and reception of foreign ambassadors. The first library created in Eastern Europe took place in the Cathedral. The Sarcophage sarcophagus is exposed in the temple on the left side. It has become an essential figure in the history of the city and even of Russia. He was a great diplomat and his daughter Anna became Queen of France around 1050. Byzantine mosaics of the th century are preserved partially, but what remains and absolutely exceptional. There are 177 different colour tones. The central apse is dominated by the mosaic of the Virgin praying, which is said to protect Kiev. The museum and the main tower can also be visited. From the top of the tower (76 m) opens a 360-degree panorama on Kiev. In front of the church is a statue of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

A central place and symbol of the Orange Revolution and Euromaïdan, Maïdan Nezalezhnosti also applies to its Soviet-style monumental architecture. The whole place and its buildings dates back to the 1950 s. The square is out of the road and the inhabitants of Kiev enjoy walking there all season, alone or with friends, with a beer on the benches ready and there on the square. Today, in the south-east part of the square, not far from the point where the streets Mykhailiivska, Sofiyska, Mala Zhytomyrska and Tarasa Shevchenko are the ancient Lyadskie doors that have recently been reconstructed on the foundations of the old. In the middle of the square, we also see the column of independence. The square cuts the main avenue in Kiev, Khreshchatyk street. This 1,5-km long street has existed for 200 years, but it was completely destroyed during the Second world war. In September 1941, at the beginning of Nazi occupation, the Soviet secret services minèrent all the Immeubles buildings in order to kill the Germans who lived there. From old Khreshchatyk, there are now only a few houses, such as the group of buildings between No. 40 and No. 52 of the street, dating from the second half of the th century. The street was actually rebuilt after the war in Empire style and presents itself as a real masterpiece of Stalinist architecture. The best is to walk here during the weekend when the Khreshchatyk is closed to the traffic of cars and transforms into a gigantic pedestrian area.

Founded in 1108 by Prince Sviatopolk, the cathedral to the golden domes is a symbolic monument for Ukrainians because it is dedicated to angel Mykhaïl, the prince of angels. Its majestic domes encouraged the warriors defending the Russia of Kiev against the invaders from the th century. We note at the entrance of the frescoes representing the ancient city. In the th century the relics of Saint Barbara were transferred here, one can always see them on the left. Like dozens of other churches, Saint-Mykhaïl was destroyed by communists in the 1930 s. Its reconstruction according to the original plans was completed in 2000-2001. Now gold domes are again watching Kiev. On the left of the church you can see a monument to the victims of the great famine of 1931 and 1933. Indeed, in the 1930 s, Stalin began to eliminate the rich farmers, the koulaks, whose Ukraine was particularly full. He decided to decimate the Ukrainian people by famine. We can see on the front of the church, three groups of statues: on the left, André represents the beginning of the Christian religion in the first century; in Olga, the first "converted" to Christianity of Kiev Rus; on the right, St Cyril and St Methodius.

Between 1862 and 1890 the Church of St. Vladimir, devoted to the prince who moved Kiev Rus from Paganism to Christianity, presents characteristic features of Byzantine style. The reasons for conversion of Kyiv Rus to Christianity in Byzantium are numerous: need a marriage with the sister of the Byzantine emperors, diplomatic relations between Byzantium and the Kev Rus, need to unify the state with a religion. Vladimir having conquered the town of Chersonèse, it was there that he received baptism in 988. By entering right, one can see Olga, Vladimir's grandmother who had already converted to Christianity and Vladimir. Within the church itself, two paintings draw attention to: on the right of the nave the baptism of Vladimir, and left the baptism of the Kiéviens, thrown into the waters of the Dnipro. The relics of Saint Macari are exposed. According to legend, he was in the process of saying mass when the "enemies" (history does not say which), arrived. The entire people took refuge in the wood and could be saved. Macari has been massacred. It was through his prayers and the mass that he was celebrating, that the village was saved. His sacrifice went to posterity. Finally, before exiting the church, don't forget to lift your eyes before crossing the door of the nave, to see a magnificent table representing the last Judgment.

Located on a cliff on Cap Preston-Todor, the palace of Lastochkino Gnezdo is the emblem of the region.

Despite its medieval appearance, the building was built in 1912 by Sherwood, the special architect of the German baron von Steingel. After the earthquake in 1927, part of the palace collapsed in the sea. Today there is only a small house 10 m wide, 20 m long, a romantic vestige with a very Expensive Italian restaurant.

To get there. 10 km west of Yalta. Buses 32, 26, 27 stop here.

Famous throughout the former Soviet Union, this Space Museum is worth a visit if you are going to Zhytomyr. Inside, an exhibition that will make all those nostalgic for the time of the conquest of space crazy: documents, photographic material, particularly on Soviet-sent Dogs in space, astronauts'combinations, satellites, rockets and space shuttles. The museum bears the name of Sergei Korolev; a formidable engineer and pioneer in the Soviet space program.

This Catholic church of 1746 is one of the oldest monuments in the city. Built in néorenaissance and baroque style, it is located in the city centre on the old castle hill. In 1801, it was rebuilt in classical style. Next door is a 26 m bell.

Located in one of the main streets of the city, the Gothic Cathedral Saint-Nicolas was built in 1899 by the architect Horodetsky. This original Gothic building is distinguished in the city by its two long and wavy towers. Catholic religious services take place every week. It also hosts organ concerts.

At the top of the Tatar hierarchy was the prince, or the king, called khan. The most beautiful palace of these/that can still be visited is that of Bakhtchissaraï. Crimean Tatars converted to Islam in the th century. The Crimean imams then unite with the Turks. It was at that time that the capital was moved from Salkhat (now Staryi Krym) to Bakhtchissaraï, literally «the city of gardens». The construction of the palace continues throughout the th century. The palace has known the splendour of the court of litigants and the destruction of the invaders. The last episode left Bakhtchissaraï in 1783, ahead of the progress of Russian troops, but Catherine II, who destroyed most of the mosques, spared this superb palace, a palace of gardens and fountains, where the coolness of the allées and lobby, which sheltered the whispers of the femmes women, tranche with the silence of the desert mountains surrounding the residence of litigants. It was in this Oriental exoticism that Catherine II decided to stay on his trip to Crimea in 1787. The iron portal is the oldest part of the palace, its construction dates back to 1503 and is the work of an Italian master. The portal leads to the garden of the palace. The whole is a huge freshness and calm… when it is not invaded by tourists. The attraction attraction is the fountain of Tears, carried out by a Persian master at the request of one of the last/, Krym Guraï, who would have become mad after the death of his fiancée. This fountain inspired Pushkin for his poem La Fontaine de Bakhtchissaraï. The harem is well preserved with the part reserved for men and women. For the most part, carpets date from the era of litigants. Finally, a whole part of the palace was transformed into a museum where you can see examples of costumes and interior objects of litigants and their courtyard. By returning to the garden, you can visit the cemeteries of the/and admire the tomb of Dilyara Bikech, the fiancée of Krym Guraï, at the entrance to the cemetery.

Where the world was divided into two for fifty years in a few hours of negotiations between Stalin and Roosevelt.

This magnificent cathedral was built in 1903, on the plans of the architect Krasnov, who designed several palaces in Crimea.

Designed by architect Vladislav Horodetsky in 1901-1903, he is one of the most curious buildings in the city in modern style. According to legend, Horodetsky built the house in memory of his daughter who, because of a romantic disappointment, committed suicide by entering the Dnieper. There are sculptures of animals and mythical figures on the roof as on the facade. The work of the architect and artists is particularly applied and meticulous, these are real stories telling us through these decorations. Today the house is used as a state residence.

This hill has a very nice promenade. There is little more castle, but there is a beautiful 360 ° view across the city and the surrounding area. It is better to come in the morning, to climb the hundreds of tubing stairs. This is where Lviv was born, with the construction of a medieval castle that stood there from the 1704 th century until, when the army of Charles XII of Sweden conquered the region and destroyed the castle. The place kept the castle hill name. Today there are only a few metres of ramparts and a beautiful park around.

Zoo, children's paradise. Thanks to recent renovations, animals now have more space. An artificial river has been created for bears so that they can catch fish. Coup de coeur: the small farm where babies are wandering in freedom.

It's a huge park with lots of small lakes and lots of different attraction areas.

Created in the early th century, this circular park is the city's visiting card. Eight streets depart from the centre of the Victory Column (1811), surmounted by a golden eagle, testifying to the czar's victory over Swedes. The park is surrounded by the Rue street which then continues in the south-east direction and is the main pedestrian street of the city. This street is bordered by beautiful buildings from the beginning of 39 th century, among which, at No., the building of the old bank (1906-1909) of modern style is noticed.

The best time to visit the island of Khortitsa and watch its animations is the period between May and August. Live shows and concerts on the island pay tribute to the customs and customs of the cossack era. Khortitsa also travels by bicycle. Several rental points are set up.