Kiev
Kiev is the capital city of Ukraine and one of the oldest cities in Europe, dating back to more than 1500 years. It has a very interesting, rich and very ancient history. City of Kiev was founded in the 5th century and has always occupied a special place in the history of Eastern Europe, was also a political and cultural capital of Kievan Rus in the 10th and 12th century, was the cradle of Christianity in the Russian Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries. The timing of the first ancient settlements on the territory of modern Kyiv discovered during archaeological excavations dates back to the Late Paleolithic period (XV-XX millennium BC. E.). Major ancient sites in the area of the present Kirillov descent in Kiev - one of the most important archaeological finds of the late XIX century. The Cradle of the Russian StateBrief facts: Because of the history of foundation of the story legends, but there are real historical sources, which contain information that after its founding Kiev became known as a center of ancient settlements of East Slavic tribe of the field. On the steep right bank of the Dnieper River, settlers erected sufficiently powerful fortifications, serving residents of the city to protect from invasion nomadic tribes. In Russian chronicles first mention of Kiev dated 860 events taking place in this city is inextricably linked with the historical development of the ancient feudal state - Kievan Rus. History of Kyiv as the capital of Kievan Rus' begins with the IX. When the city became a major political and cultural center of eastern Slavs as a result of combining several different Slavic tribes under the rule of the Kievan princes. The rapid development of the city contributed to its advantageous location. It is through Kiev were the roads, which are of enormous commercial and economic importance. Trade routes were in Constantinople, called in those days Tsarygradom in Asia, as well as in Novgorod and in the Don land. In 882 in Kiev began to reign, Prince Oleg, and from that period until 1132 the city considered the center of the united lands of Kievan Rus. Due to its convenient geographical location Kiev for a long time maintained a stable political and economic and trade ties with countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In IX-XI centuries there is a rapid development of crafts, culture (in particular, Slavic literature), erected many new buildings, including the Christian churches. The most famous architectural and historical monuments of Ancient Russia, built in Kiev, are Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and St. Sophia Cathedral, which played a significant role in the development of Russian Christianity. By the 11th century Kiev was one of the largest centers of civilization in the Christian World. Besides in those times the city totaled about 400 churches, 8 markets and more than 50 000 inhabitants. (For comparison: in London, Hamburg and Gdansk - on 20 000). Kiev was among the most prospering craft and shopping centers of Europe. In the autumn of 1240, the Tatar-Mongols headed by Batiy Khan, captured Kiev. The Tartar-Mongols ruled for almost a century. Despite foreign rule, Kiev retained its artisan, trade and cultural traditions and remained an important political, trade and cultural center. In the 14th century, the Kiev region became the cradle for the modern Ukrainian nation. The long road to independence by the Ukrainian people began with Cossack military campaigns. In 1648-1654 Cossack armies, headed by Hetman (Ukrainian for Cossack leader) Bohdan Khmelnytsky waged several wars to liberate Ukraine. Confronted by the armies of Polish and Lithuanian feudal lords, Bohdan Khmelnytsky sought the protection of the Russian Tsar in the Treaty of Pereyaslav. Ukraine in the 17th and 18th centuries nonetheless managed to preserve and enjoy some of the richness of its political, economic, cultural, and religious development. The Kyiv Mohyla Academy, founded by Metropolitan Petro Mohyla in the 17th century, became the first university in Eastern Europe. In that period, the Ukrainian people were among the most educated in the world and almost all were literate. Books were printed, philosophy was studied; music, literature and painting flourished. The first Constitution appeared in Ukraine during the Cossack period (1711). In January 1918 the independence of Ukraine was proclaimed and the Ukrainian National Republic was established. After the revolution of 1917 Vladimir Illyich Lenin and his Bolshevik Party seized power and expanded their sphere of control into Ukraine. Germany then began World War II and entered Kyiv in September 1941. In November 1943, Soviet forces retook the city for almost the next fifty years. On August, 24, 1991 the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine proclaims the Declaration of Independence. Today the city of Kiev is a well planned urban area. Historic areas such as the Andriievskiy Descent, the Kreschatik street and the Independence Square hold an array of cultural landmarks that speak of the city’s rich traditions and legacies from its churches, museums, castles, parks, military fortresses to its art centers and theatres. |
