Interesting Facts about Kyiv Fact 1 Kyiv the

Interesting Facts about Kyiv Fact 1 Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was the capital of ancient Rus and is one of the oldest cities of Europe. Fact 2 Kyiv’s monuments of the past attract a great number of tourists. Fact 3 The city has recently celebrated its 1500 th anniversary. Fact 4 There a lot of museums in Kyiv: the museum of Ukrainian Art, Shevchenko museum, Lesya Ukrainka museum and others. Fact 5 The capital is also famous for its theatres and concert halls such as Taras Shevchenko Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Concert Hall “Ukraine” and others. Fact 6 Our capital is beautiful with its green banks and hills, millions of different flowers, wonderful parks and squares.

• is situated on both banks of the Dnipro River; • is a highly developed scientific and industrial centre; • has the population of nearly 3 mln people; • is the seat of the President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers; • is one of the largest and most beautiful cities of the world.

Mark the sentences T (True) or F (False). Correct the false statements: 1. Yaroslav the Wise was a brother of Grand Prince Volodymyr. ______ 2. Under the rule of Yaroslav the Wise Kyivan Rus grew less powerful than ever. ______ 3. Prince Yaroslav was married to the daughter of the King of Norway. _____ 4. Yaroslav’s daughters were married to foreign kings. _______

Read the text again and choose the correct answer A, B, C: 1. ____played an important role in Kyivan Rus in the 11 th century. a. Hunting; b. Trade; c. Fishing; 2. Yaroslav the Wise defeated the _____who had attacked Kyiv for 120 years. a. Pechenegs; b. French; c. Turks; 3. To honour the victory, Yaroslav began to build St. ___Cathedral. a. Andrew’s; b. Sophia’s; c. Volodymyr.

Khreshchatyk It is the main street of Kyiv. The street was recently renovated into one of the most beautiful places that combine the features of a busy centre with the historical design of buildings. The street leads to Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the city’s main square.

is the most ancient steep street in Kyiv. It is Kyivites’ favourite place for outdoor fairs, festivals and concerts. Art galleries, shops and studios make it the best place to shop for Ukrainian crafts and artworks. Cultural museums located here reveal the history of the

Holy Pokrovskyi Monastery • was founded in January 1889 by Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrovna. The main structure of Cathedral of St. Nicholas (1911) was adjusted by the architect • V. Nikolayev. In this the monastery many charitable institutions such as a free clinic, an orphanage, a

• is an island of beauty, peace and joy for the inhabitants of the business metropolis. Botanical Garden covers the area of 130 hectares on the right bank of the Dnieper River. The garden grows more than 10 thousand varieties, types and forms of plants of different quality.

Kyiv Fortress • The museum complex was built in 1927 on the basis of one of the largest in the world of rock and mud fortresses. The castle belonged to the western Russian line of fortifications. Kiev fortress was built in Pechersk district called New Pechersk fortress.

• is the greatest monument of Kyiv. It was built almost nine centuries ago. • A complex of churches, masterpieces of architecture has been a holy place of worship for Christians.

Mariinskyi Palace • was built in 1750 under the supervision of Russian architect Michurin. It is located on the top of the hill in a beautiful park. • Today the palace is used for official state receptions such as presidential meetings and international conferences.

• is one of the most famous opera and ballet scenes in Europe. The building was built in 1901 in style of French Renaissance. It bears the name of • T. Shevchenko from 1939.

• is cheerful and bright and beautiful. It is a wonderful monument of the 18 th century.