KIEV

Historians and inhabitants do not agree on the exact age of the city on the Dnepr. First version: Three brothers founded the city at the beginning of the 6th century, the fortress that marked the city was named after the elder one, Kyi. But most historians believe that the city was founded about 400 years later, in 882, when we first heard about the baronial residence. This way Kiev would not deserve the name „mother of all Russian cities". As if the history of "Jerusalem of the East" was not diverse enough, people tend to enlarge facts to legends like the boxer Klitschko as a Major candidate, demonstrations during the Orange Revolution are not enough: Ukrainians claim that Richard the Lionheart had resided in the fortress of Kiev (but it dates from 1904) and that all hills around the cities are enchanted (here, a contra-proof is harder to find). Walking through the city with open ears and looking for contact with the inhabitants, you will hear more such stories - several times and several versions.

Kiew-Boryspil
The airport is situated 30km outside the city. The easiest way to the city is to take a taxi. Since not many taxi drivers speak English, it is helpful to jot down the hotel's name in Ukrainian. A ride to the city is about € 10,–. There is also a shuttle bus to the city. It only costs € 1,50, but it takes about an hour.

Subway
Three lines cross Kiev. Tunnels are up to 100 meters under the earth, so take something to read for the elevator rides. A ride is about € 0,10.
Subway map:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Kyiv_Metro_map.svg

City cable car (Funikuljor)
Since 1905 a cable car has linked the lower and upper city parts of Kiev. The 2-minute ride is about € 0,10. From the top station you have a great view over the lower parts and you get a better orientation.
Station behind St.-Michael-Cathedral, subway station Poshtova Ploscha

Golden Gate
The Golden Gate was built in 1037 under Prince Yaroslav the Wise to give protection against an invasion. Since 1983 there has been a museum next to it, informing about Kiev in medieval times. From here you get a fantastic panoramic view over the city.
Volodymyrs’ka 40a, May-Oct 10-5pm, closed on Tue

Tschernobyl-Museum
Morbid items of the radioactive zone: light installations and ray-proof uniforms underline the grim atmosphere. Catastrophe-tourists get to see pictures of the victims and a detailed chronology of the events.
Pereulok Khorivoy 1, 10-5.45 pm, Sa 10-4.45 pm

The house with the Chimers
A talented architect and passionate hunter: This is the way you create a house alike a mythological jungle. On the walls you find sea monsters hunting snakes, demons hunting rhinoceroses, elephants trumpeting next to elves. Gorodetzky designed the house due to a bet. It dates from 1902 and is among the five most beautiful buildings of the city.
Bankovaya Str. 10

Pantyusha
This is the story of a cat to which a bronze monument was dedicated: Long ago, the cat Pantyusha lived in a restaurant and was loved for its sweet kind. Every day it walked from table to table, to see if everything was fine and no one went home too late. When it died in a fire, the guests of the restaurant built a monument of its kind and polished and touched it whenever they walked by.
In the park close to the Golden Gate, corner Yaroslavov Val/Lysenko Str.

Gogol´s Nose
One of the many urban myths: A long time ago, the famous writer Nikolai Wassiljewitsch Gogol walked through Kiew. It was winter and very cold, therefore he caught a cold. To guarantee future generations to blow the author’s nose, Gogol´s nose is hanging from a house wall and gets rubbed and pinched by many visitors.
Andreevskiy Spusk 34

Chicot
This cosy restaurant used to be an artists cafe, but during the years it was discovered by politicians, business people and famous sportsmen. The kitchen is known for filled dishes: duck or turkey filled with apples, chicken filled with oranges or apricots. Filled stomach guaranteed. Ivana Franka Street 27, Tel: 246 52 83

Dekadence House
Nomen est omen: You dine among royal velvet and finest crystal, with the simple people in the hall or with the aristocracy in the VIP-lounge of the classic library. The menu does not really reach this standard: You get Spaghetti Carbonara and other simple Italian dishes.
Shota Rustaveli Str. 16, Tel: 206 49 20

Premiere Palace Hotel
You find Feng-Shui suites, rooms in the 1890ies style or imperial Russian deluxe apartments. The restaurants continue that mixed trend: enjoy Sushi in modern-simple, traditional or rustic atmosphere.
Bulvar Tarasa Shevchenko 5-7/29, Tel: 537 45 00, DR from € 280,–,
www.premier-palace.com

Perlina
The hotel boat anchors on the Dnepr, equipment is in almost kitschy pastel pink and green. The flair is very particular due to the slight purling of the river and the waves.
Moorage 5, Naberezhno-Kreschatitskaya Str., Tel: 451 55 66, DR from € 136,–,
www.perlina.kiev.ua

Olympic
This city youth hostel "Olympic" appeals to sportsmen due to sauna, pool, football field and tennis court. Rooms only with reservation!
Marshala Zhukova Str., DR from € 15,–

Modabar
The certainly most famous club of Kiew. City beauties come to show their expensive dresses, on the dancefloor you see stylish people, the kitchen serves sushi.
Naberezhno-Kreschatytska Str., Pier 6, 8-6am

MOJO
In the afternoon this place is a restaurant, in the evening a club. All rooms are decorated individually, mirror-room, a room with mobile phones on the walls, one romantic room. Enjoy French cuisine and Rock Music.
Kreschatyk Str. 15, Tel.: 228 17 17

44 Art Club
You feel welcome at once in this cosy bar. Meet joyous, open people. Musicians often play experimental jazz. In the back of the local is a gallery- hence the name of the bar.
Khreschatyk Str. 44b, 10-2am

In Kiev, there are many shopping centres therefore they have less smaller boutiques as "Bally" (Kreschatyk 15, 10-7pm, Sa 10-9pm, So 10-7pm) or fashion clubs (Chervonoarmiys’ka 23, 11-8pm, Fr/Sa 11-9pm)

Mandarin Plaza
Down Town shopping centre where wealthy inhabitants buy their Haute Couture: Find brand shops of exquisite designers as Valentino, Christian Lacroix, Givenchy, Versace, Liu Jo and Max Mara. At Plaza you also get selected jewellery and cosmetics.
Baseyna Str. 6, 10-9pm

Gorodok
The shopping centre is called "small city" (Gorodok. Like in a real city, hallways have names as "Spring Street" or "Apricot Street". You find jewellery in the "Golden district". You get everything here, from a torch to a noble suite.
Moskovsky Parkway 23

Ukrainian Souvenir
This shop fulfils all your souvenir-wishes: wooden handcraft, pottery, coloured eggs, protection charm, matrjoschkas, horseshoes and many more. You can also order your gifts online if you do not wish to carry them home .Wpushkinskaya 31a, Tel. 234 22 77, 10-8pm www.ukrsov.kiev.ua

Andriyivsky Uzviz
The oldest street in the city is full of arts and craft markets and souvenir shops. You will find pretty gifts for your beloved at home.

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