Kessi World

Mindful travel around the Pacific Northwest.

Photo Gallery: Kiev, Ukraine

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Kiev is a welcoming, energetic, intriguing city in a country struggling to maintain a unique identity in the world. The stately capitol city is bursting with tasty food, friendly people, interesting sites and Cyrillic signs. I spent a very full day in the metropolis of 2.9M people and these are a few of my favorite shots.

Only have one day to spend in the Ukraine capitol of Kiev? No problem. Follow me for the top 10 ways to experience Kiev in one day.

Public Squares

A sweeping view of the grand square in front of St. Sofia's Cathedral in Central Kiev.
The sweeping view of the square in front of St. Sofia’s Cathedral from the top of the bell tower of the church. Looking towards St. Michael’s Monastery.
A stately boulevard leads to the golden domes of St. Michael's Monastery as taken from the top of the bell tower at St. Sofia's Cathedral.
A sweeping view of the central Kiev skyline taken from atop the bell tower of St. Sofia’s Cathedral in Central Kiev.
Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument, located on the corner of vast Sofia Square.
Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument, located on the corner of vast Sofia Square.
A group of tourists take a selfie in front of the stately founders monument rises opposite Independence Square in central Kiev.
The stately Founders Monument rises opposite Independence Square, which is where many of the walking tours in the city meet.
Large cannons of water spray up in a busy nighttime Independence Square in central Kiev.
Independence Square in central Kiev comes alive at night with locals gathering to watch the dramatic cannons of water spray to the beat of music.

Churches

The main church in the complex at St. Michael's Monastery is alive with bright blue walls and shiny golden spires.
Only have one day to spend in the Ukraine capitol of Kiev? No problem. Follow me for the top 10 ways to experience Kiev in one day.
The commanding complex of St. Sofia's Cathedral at night taken from Sofia Square.
The commanding complex of St. Sofia’s Cathedral at night taken from Sofia Square.
St. Sofia's Cathedral in the heart of Kiev. There is one tall bell tower at the entrance with a gold baroque dome and the main cathedral is farther in the distance with numerous gold spires.
St. Sofia’s Cathedral in the heart of Kiev. The vast square out front adds to the majestic feel of this special site.
View of St. Sofia's Cathedral from high atop the bell tower.
View of St. Sofia’s Cathedral from high atop the bell tower.
View of St. Sofia's Cathedral from high atop the bell tower.
View of St. Sofia’s Cathedral from high atop the bell tower.
St. Michaels Monastery is a complex of orthodox buildings including the older wood church with white walls and black onion dome in the foreground and the bright blue main church with golden spires in the background.
St. Michaels Monastery complex of buildings are quite impressive and the grounds provide an easy stroll.
Mary Icon located inside the vestibule of the main church in St. Michael's Golden Dome Monastery.
Mary Icon located inside the vestibule of the main church in St. Michael’s Golden Dome Monastery.
St. Andrew's church sits atop a hill overlooking the city. The outside of the church is several shades of green and golden spires.
St. Andrew’s church is an 18th century baroque style Orthodox Church atop a hill overlooking broad views of Kiev.

Parks and green space

Volodymyr Hill has an abundance of trees and this classic style fountain sits in the middle of all the greenery.
Volodymyr Hill overlooks large areas of the city and has abundant greenery and fountains. This is also the location of the new glass bridge, just steps nearby.
This boardwalk, which hugs the side of Volodymyr Hill, appeared brand new and offered a peaceful stroll amongst the trees.
This boardwalk, which hugs the side of Volodymyr Hill, appeared brand new and offered a peaceful stroll amongst the trees.
The view from Volodymyr Hill, which includes the new Glass Bridge crossing the ravine to the Friendship Arch. The view downhill focuses on the Dnieper River.
The view from Volodymyr Hill, which includes the new Glass Bridge crossing the ravine to the Friendship Arch. The view downhill focuses on the Dnieper River.
Lenin-style statue depicting friendship and prosperity, underneath the Friendship Arch in the park on Volodymyr Hill.
Lenin-style statue depicting friendship and prosperity, underneath the Friendship Arch in the park on Volodymyr Hill.
Aleya Khudozhnykiv lookout off Volodymyr Hill. The new boardwalk winds through the trees towards the Glass Bridge.
Aleya Khudozhnykiv lookout off Volodymyr Hill. The new boardwalk winds through the trees towards the Glass Bridge.

Architecture

This 19th century grand budding is now a Renaissance Hotel.
This 19th century grand budding is now a Renaissance Hotel.
The streets of Kiev run smoothly most of the day. Normal rush hour traffic exists but otherwise low drama.
The streets of Kiev run smoothly most of the day. Normal rush hour traffic exists but otherwise low drama.
The quaint cobblestone streets of Kiev leading down the hill from St. Andrews Church in Kiev.
The quaint cobblestone streets leading down the hill from St. Andrew’s Church.
The bright red building of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Apartment buildings on the streets of Kiev give a nod to 19th century design.
Apartment buildings on the streets of Kiev give a nod to 19th century design.

Food and Drink

View of the delicious Georgian food at Mama Mahaha restaurant. At the table is an assortment of breads, spicy dipping sauces and a red bean stew.
Delicious Georgian food from Mama Mahaha restaurant. The dish in the pot is called Megrelian Lobio, which is red beans stewed with walnuts, coriander, onion and spices.
Pickled delights are very typical and abundant in Ukrainian cuisine. All of these were delicious. Sportykach restaurant.
Pickled delights are very typical and abundant in Ukrainian cuisine. All of these were delicious. Sportykach restaurant.
A goodbye present, rolled paper with little sweets inside. Sportykach, a traditional Ukrainian restaurant.
A goodbye present, rolled paper with little sweets inside. Sportykach, a traditional Ukrainian restaurant.

Transportation

The Kiev subway requires tokens for entry. I'm holding a blue token with the change in my hand in front of the subway map of Kiev.
Finding my way – Blue token in my hand with the Kiev subway map in the background.
A beautiful soviet era deco styled subway station in Kiev.
A quiet soviet era subway platform right before the storm of trains exiting locals rushing to and fro.
Modern Borspiel International Airport, about 18 miles from the city center of Kiev.
Modern Borspiel International Airport, about 18 miles from the city center of Kiev.
Final moments in Ukraine: Boarding my flight from Kiev to Frankfurt.
Final moments in Ukraine: Boarding my flight from Kiev to Frankfurt.

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: Bonus round. Click photo to learn more.

I am squatting next to an old Russian Lara car left behind after the Chernobyl explosion. This is located within the Chernobyl exclusion zone.
A shot of me next to the remnants of a Lara car that was left behind in a village near Chernobyl following the explosion at nuclear reactor #4 in April, 1986.

Interested in the blog post associated with these photos? Check out Experience Kiev in One Day – 10 Ways.