The Motherland Monument
The 62 m (203 ft) stainless steel statue is a part of the Museum of The History of Ukraine in the World War II in Kiev. The overall monument structure measures 102 m (335 ft) and weighs 560 tons. The Mother Motherland (Batkivshchyna Maty in Ukrainian) holds a sword in her right hand shield with the State Emblem of the Soviet Union the left hand. The aesthetics of the monument provoke lots of discussions and are very controversial, but one thing about it is doubtless: if you take an elevator to go up on top of it, the view will surprise you!
The Peyzazhna Alley
The Peyzazhna Alley in the center of Kiev is a walking zone that became extremely popular among the locals after it got modernized with new beautiful playgrounds, funny wall decorations, creative benches and contemporary sculptures. While walking along the alley you feel yourself like in a wonderland of a fairytale.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
The St. Nicholas Roman Catholic is the second Roman Catholic cathedral built in Kiev. Today the building is shared between the Roman Catholic Church of Ukraine and the National House of Organ and Chamber Music. Famous Kiev architects Władysław Horodecki and Emilio Sala constructed it in the beginning of XX century, having brought a Gothic vibe to already Modern Kiev. While visiting the Cathedral, do not hesitate to attend an Organ concert to make the best out of the visit!
Mariyinsky Palace
This typically Baroque palace on the hilly bank of Dnipro River designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the most famous architect working in the Russian Empire in the middle of XVIII century, appeared in Kiev thanks to the Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna. Empress Catherine II was the first royal figure to stay in the Palace, who visited Kiev in 1787. Later, according to the wish of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, a large park was established at the southern side of the Palace. The Mariyinsky Palace was used as a residence for visiting members of the imperial family until 1917. Today it is the official ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine.
The House with Chimaeras
The House with Chimaeras (or Horodecki House, named after building’s architect) is an Art Nouveau building located in the Lypky district, one the historic neighborhoods of Kiev with attractive architecture and alluring atmosphere. The building derives its popular name from the ornate decorations depicting exotic animals and hunting scenes, which were sculpted by Italian architect Emilio Sala. The name does not refer to the chimaera of mythology, but to an architectural style known as chimaera decoration in which animal figures are applied as decorative elements to a building. Horodecki's unique architectural style earned him a fame of Ukrainian Antoni Gaudí of Kiev.
