Wednesday, February 27, 2013


Did you know that the Ukrainians were the first people to have lived on Earth? Well, Trypillia, a village that is situated in Ukraine, 40 km from Kyiv has been traced as the most ancient civilization in the world. Trypillians lived on the Earth in the period 5,400 - 2,700 BC!!

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe. Ukraine’s a landlocked mass, bounded on the east by Russia; on the west by Poland, Slovakia and Hungary; and on the north by Belarus.

 
The country is chockfull of attractions which range from magnificent churches to baroque palaces, from interesting museums and old buildings to archaeological sites where you can see the oldest dwelling in the world.
Kiev

Kiev is the capital city  is replete with tourist sights- so many that you would require at least a fortnight to see them all. If you’re short on time, here’s a best-of-the-lot list.

Independence Square in Kiev now commemorates Ukraine's 1991 declaration of independence from the USSR.





                 St. Sophia  

Dating from the 11th century, the church was built to rival Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and echoes its name.  Stick around long enough and you may hear prayer accompanied by the a cappella choral music for which the Ukrainians are celebrated.


 The Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra


It is a Unesco World Heritage site. Pilgrims approach this monastery wearing icons and pictures of saints around their necks. Buy candles at the entrances to the upper and lower catacombs, and follow the twisty subterranean tunnels past ancient glass-encased tombs of monks.

                                                                                           Shpola

Granite stele with an inscription Shpolyanschina - the geographical center of Ukraine is installed at the entrance to Shpola by the bold.

Despite the early findings of Trypillya culture and Scythian tumuli near it, the town itself is mentioned, for the first time, as a village of Zvenyhorod eldership in Poland only in XVIII century. Later it falls under the rule of Russian Empire and becomes a part of Bratslav vicegerency (1793). Starting from 1797 it is considered to be a part of Zvenyhorod district in Kyiv province.

There were two wooden churches in Shpola, built in 1784 and 1786 respectively. None of them were preserved till nowadays.

Most sun-seeking tourists head, like homing pigeons, to the Black Sea, all along the coasts of which are some of the loveliest beaches in East Europe. Crimea , with its resort towns of Yalta and Sevastopol, is invariably first on the list. The Crimean Peninsula juts into the Black Sea, a natural extravaganza of mountains, green valleys and beaches, replete with palaces, churches, museums and dozens of other sights.
Sevastopol is the other major Black Sea resort.










Close to the city is the ancient Greek archaeological site of Chersonesus.



Chersonesus Taurica was founded 2,500 years ago by ancient Greek colonists on one of the southwestern peninsulas of the Crimea. The name means “a peninsula in the land of Tauri.”



Livadia Palace

Livadia is a small settlement located about 3 km from Yalta. The main attraction of the place is Livadia Palace – the summer residence of Russian emperors.


 
The Alupka Palace

The palace was built from 1828 through 1848 for Prince Mikhail Semyonovich Vorontsov for use as his personal summer residence. It was designed in the Tudor style by English architect Edward Blor. The building incorporates elements of Scottish Baronial,Moorish Revival and Gothic Revival architecture

The Swallow’s Nest
 The neo-Gothic Swallow's Nest castle perches 130 feet (40 meters) above the Black Sea near Yalta in southern Ukraine. Built by a German noble in 1912, the flamboyant seaside residence now houses an Italian restaurant.





 Massandra Palace

Is one of the most interesting monuments of 19th century architecture located near Yalta. The palace was built in the style of French chateaux of the Renaissance.

Yalta famous for being the venue of a historic Allied conference during WWII, is best known today for its attractive beaches.


The Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral.

Construction of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral has been inextricably linked with the Russian imperial family which the patron was Saint Alexander Nevsky. The cathedral was built in honour of Russian Emperor Alexander II.


Also on the coast of the Black sea- but not part of Crimea- is the port of Odessa , the `Black Sea Pearl’. The catacombs under the city merit an exploratory trip; and the building of the Opera and Ballet Theatre is considered one of the finest in the world.



 
Maritime Steps

The steps, 192 in all, lead down to the Black Sea naval facility and are often referred to as the Potemkin Steps, after the Battleship Potemkin, Sergei Eisenstein’s classic movie about a mutiny aboard a ship.



Lviv

It is  one of the best-preserved cities in the country, has a plethora of churches, museums and palaces.

St. Nicholas' church is one of the oldest functioning Orthodox churches in Lviv. It has been known since the XIII century. The Wonder-working Icon of Saint Nicholas is preserved in the church.








The Ratusha is home to Lviv’s City Council and one of the city’s cherished symbols. Its one Rynok Square's newest buildings–having been completed in 1835–but the first mention of it dates back to 1381. The tower was once wooden and the building has undergone numerous changes throughout history, but it has always hosted Lviv’s government.
 
Slavske

The best slopes are found on Mt Trostian, which is 1235 metres above sea level. A new resort is being built on Mt Zvorets, located two kilometres from Slavske toward Volosianka, which is expected to compete against the Slavske Trostian resort. The other mountains in the area are Politekh, Pohar, Grabovets and Krokus.
 





For many centuries Lviv pleases its residents and visitors with a unique aura of coffee and chocolate aroma. February 14-17, the Lviv Palace of Arts (Copernicus Street, 17) was hosting a delicious holiday – the 6th National Day of Chocolate.

 
The city invited everyone to taste the best sweets and a variety of chocolate candy. The festival once again broke the record for the number of kinds of chocolate and chocolate products presented.






By Juliia.
 

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