House with Chimeras
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In 1901-1903 popular and spectacular Kiev architect VladislavGorodezhkii put up a private house that is known as a House with Chimeras. Inside and outside the building is decorated with quaint and sometimes even freakish sculptures, including maidens on fantastic fishes, elephants, rhinoceroses, antelopes, frogs, lizards, eagles, snakes and even a little crocodile. The sculptures are made of cement, and there is a legend saying that architect Gorodezhkii together with companies producing cement intended to construct a house that would be kind of advertisement for new building material. Modern historians consider this legend to be close to reality, because Gorodezhkii was one of the owners of cement producing plants. So orders for the materials that followed after the House with Chimeras construction would be very 
profitable for him.
Gorodezhkii built the House with Chimeras for his family. He was very ambitious architect and did not want any other building to stand next to his house, so he decided to purchase two plots of land. One plot was intended for the house and another one was empty, but still the architect reached his goal, as nobody could buy that land and put up a building there. Nowadays this plot of land is occupied by stairs leading to Ivan Franko Theater.
Immediately after the construction works of the House with Chimeras were completed, it became surrounded with numerous legends. One of them says that the architect planned to construct the house after the death of his daughter who drowned in Dnepr or committed suicide because of unrequited love. According to this legend, the architect went crazy and decided to decorate the house with Dnepr inhabitants, such as fishes and weird maidens, who, as he thought, surrounded his daughter after her tragic death.
Another legend is not so ominous. It explains a very unprofitable location of the House with Chimeras from strategical point of view. The thing is that the house is situated on steep slope of Pecherskie Hills, which made the building construction a real challenge. Gorodezhkii, who was famous for his adventurism, betted with his friends architects that he would complete such a difficult task. He really managed to put up the House on the edge of dangerous precipice and won the bet. However, modern architects confirm that the House with Chimeras is in poor condition today, as its facade is covered with cracks, and according to the results of specialists' investigation works, the whole building sinks down the slope. Still once there was an idea to make the House with Chimeras the new residence of Ukrainian President. His present residence is located in front of the Gorodezhkii's house. The question of the residence transformation is still being discussed, but it is obvious that the House with Chimeras needs a thorough repair. There is one more legend about the house. It says that Gorodezhkii, who was a talented architect and passionate hunter, also was a sorcerer. Some people believe that he put a paternoster on his house, so that only his descendants could happily live in the House with Chimeras. According to the legend, the house will bring misfortune to any stranger who would try to live in it.
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ANDREEVSKY SPUSK
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OAndreevskySpusk is one of the oldest streets in Kiev. In ancient days it was the shortest way from the Upper Town to the Podol, or the Lower Town, where merchants and craftspeople used to live. Nowadays this steep and meandering street is a traditional place for arranging concerts, art festivals and city holidays. On AndreevskySpusk there are many interesting picture galleries and souvenir stores. This street is often called Kiev's Montmartre, as any time one can see here artists displaying their works. It is also the place where singers and actors give their performances.
One of the major attractions of AndreevskySpusk is Andreevskaya, or Saint Andrew, Church. There is a legend that says that on the site where the Dnepr River flows nowadays, a sea used to be. When Saint Andrew came to Kiev and placed a cross on the site where Andreevskaya Church now stands, the sea receded, and only some water remained under the Andreevskaya Mountain. When the church was built, a spring appeared under the altar. That's why Andreevskaya Church doesn't have bells. The legend says that the sound of bells would awake sleeping water, and Kiev would be overflowed.
Andreevskaya Church was built by order of Russian Empress Elizabeth who intended to make Kiev her summer residence. The Empress herself founded the church and entrusted architect BartholomeoRastrelli to construct it. In 1749-1754 the construction was carried out under guidance of Ivan Michurin, an architect from Moscow.
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Andreevskaya Church is the perfect example of baroque style: it features efficiency, magnificence, plenty of gold and rich decoration. Expressiveness and eccentricity make Andreevskaya Church one of the masterpieces of native architecture of the 18 century. Among its sacred objects is a part of Saint Andrew relics that was delivered from Italy and now is kept in precious shrine. Pilgrims also value the Gospel in diamond setting that was presented to the church by Emperor Alexander.
A picturesque terrace stretches around the church. It is said that famous writer Nikolay Gogol adored the surroundings of Andreevskaya Church and enjoyed walking along his favorite places. AndreevskySpusk is closely connected with the name of one more writer, Mikhail Bulgakov. He lived in the house number3 in 1906-1916 and 1918-1919. In this house nowadays there is a Museum of Bulgakov. The neighboring house number 15 surprises with unusual architecture. Among the citizens of Kiev this house is known as "Richard's Castle", as it is shaped as a medieval castle. On the right side of this house there are stairs that lead to the sight place offering a splendid view on Podol, Dnepr and its bridges, as well as houses of the left bank.
On AndreevskySpusk there is an interesting museum dedicated to this old street. Its exposition is dedicated to the history of AndreevskySpusk and contains pictures, photographs, engravings and other exhibits.
AndreevskySpusk is one of the places of gathering of Kiev bohemia: on the street there are many bars and cozy cafes where it is pleasant to spend an hour or two.
ASKOLD'S GRAVE
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Askold's Grave is a part of the park complex on the right bank of the Dnepr River. In ancient days this area was called YgorskoeUrochishe. According to a legend, on this very site near the Dnepr River in 882 prince Oleg killed sons of Kie, princes Askold and Dir. Then he ascended the prince throne and became a very successful ruler of Rus. As for Askold and his brother, they were buried on the place where they were killed. According chronicles, Askold was honored by Kievers. There are reports that he was baptized in Tsargrad in the 860s taking the name Nicholas and that he tried to convert Rus to Christianity. However, some historians offer a hypothesis that the story of Askold and Dir murder is just folklore, but still people consider Askold's Grave to be the place of Kiev prince burial. The site of Askold's tragic death was marked by constructing a small wooden chapel.
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In 1810 architect Melenskii constructed a stone Saint Nicolas church shaped as rotunda instead of old wooden one. Later it was rebuilt and turned into a park pavilion. In 1935 a colonnade was added to the construction, and it is the way the pavilion has remained until nowadays.
In the 19th century a small cemetery was founded around Askold's grave. Many outstanding persons were buried there. Among them were medical professor Mering, famous pilot, the author of dead loop Nesterov and some others. The cemetery existed until 1935. When the area of Askold's Grave turned into park zone, all the burial places were transferred to other cemeteries. A wooden cross indicates that the young Ukranian patriots killed in the battle with the Bolsheviks near the Kruty station were buried in the cemetery in 1918. Their remains were also transferred.
This picturesque place has always been surrounded with mystic legends and stories. It attracted attention of Kiev citizens and guests of the city, as well as art creators. TarasShevshenko dedicated his works to Askold's Grave, writer Zagorskiy wrote a novel about this historical place, and it underlay libretto of opera by Verestovsky. This opera became very popular, and one can still see it in a number of Ukrainian modern theaters.
Near Askold's Grave there is a monument to Apostle Andrew the First-Called, a very important saint for Kiev and its citizens. According to Nestor's Russian Primary Chronicle, two thousands years ago Andrew the Apostle, while wandering around the Scythian land and preaching Christianity, blessed the hilly bank of the Dnepr River and forecasted glory to Jerusalem of Russian lands. The monument to Andrew the First-Called emphasizes importance of the saint for Kiev. The sculpture designed by master Shvetsov is made of solid piece of granite. It immortalizes glorious deeds of Saint Andrew the Apostle.
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SAINT CYRIL CHURCH
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Saint Cyril Church was built near Dorogozhichi region in the middle of the 12th century. The church was founded on the territory of old monastery, on the hill. It served as a summer residence and family burial place for the dynasty of Olgovitch princes. In 1194 in the church Kiev prince Svyatoslav, the hero of the ancient Russian poem The Lay of Igor's Host, was interred.
The church was named in honor of Saint Cyril, one of the most eminent Orthodox saints. Cyril is also known as a Slavonic apostle. Cyril and his brother Mephody preached the Gospel to the Slavs in Moravia, the land, from which Christianity spread to the Slavonic lands, including Kievan Rus. They originated Cyrillic alphabet and translated the Gospel and some other Christian books into Old Slavonic language.
Saint Cyril Church changed through the centuries according to architectural and aesthetic tastes and tendencies. It has always been considered first of all as a functional church, not as a monument of old architecture. As the result of the reconstruction of the 17th century, the church turned into Ukrainian baroque building. Cupolas give the whole construction lightness and loftiness.
Interiors of the church had not been changed dramatically, so it gives an idea of the church's original look. Inside the temple there are several sources of natural light, so twilight perfectly contrasts with a very well lighted central part under a large dome. In the second half of the 19th century under the plaster fresco paintings of the 12th century were found. Most old frescos are dedicated to the deeds of Saint Cyril. It was decided to clear the precious frescos and restore them. The works were supervised by professor Prakhov. Outstanding Russian artist Vrubel participated in those works: he had to paint the old frescoes in oil and decorate marble iconstand. Vrubel's works, including Christ, Cyril and Afanasiy stand apart for their expressiveness, realism and superb artistic mastery.
There is a romantic story connected to the icon Mother of God painted by Mikhail Vrubel. When the icon was finished, the contemporaries paid attention that the Virgin's face bears features of professor Prakhov's wife. It didn't break the canons, but still it looked very unusual. There is no reliable data what happened afterwards, but Mikhail Vrubel, in spite of his recognized talent, was never again invited to work in the temples of Kiev.
The frescos of Saint Cyril church range among the most interesting examples of wall painting of the 12th century Russian art. The frescoes feature bright colors, plenty of details, compositional innovations. One of the gems of the church is tempera painting of the 17th century. It depicts Superior Father Innocent Monastirsky, an outstanding diplomat and public figure. His portrait on the pylon of the southern aisle is a valuable example of Ukrainian portraiture of the period.
The old architecture of Saint Cyril Church and its magnificent wall paintings make this temple one of the most valuable and interesting museums in the country.
GOLDEN GATE
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Golden Gate is a unique fortification architecture monument that survived until nowadays. It was constructed in 1017-1024 and served as a main gala entrance to Kiev. The great tower with Annunciation Church delighted contemporaries and terrified enemies, die to its inaccessibility. The name of the Gate in Kiev reminds of famous entrance to Constantinople: Kiev prince YaroslavMudry wanted to underline that his country was as powerful as Byzantine Empire.
YaroslavMudry paid much attention to Kiev enlargement, consolidation and fortification. During the time of his rule the territory of the city became 10 times larger than it had used to be. Yaroslav was the one who destroyed hordes of nomads Pechenegs who regularly attacked Kiev. On the site where Yaroslav's troops won the final victory over the nomads the prince ordered to found the fortification tower that was named Golden Gate. The legend says that before the final battle with powerful PechenegsYaroslavMudry prayed and begged the Virgin to help him to defeat the enemy. He promised to build the church dedicated to the Mother of God in case of success. He did not forget his promise and ordered to top Golden Gate with gilded-domed Annunciation Church. Until 1699 Golden Gate was decorated with the image of Our Lady of Kazan.
Kievers called Golden Gate "the sky gate", as every morning the sun passed through it, rose and entered "the vault of heaven". It was a splendid view, and the citizens of Kiev believed that sun and Golden Gate saved the city from darkness and death. The fortification construction of Golden Gate was totally inaccessible: nomadic tribes could never take it by assault, and even Baty-khan didn't manage to enter the city through the Gate. He stormed a less fortified city entrance and destroyed Golden Gate from inside.
In the 16th-17th centuries Golden Gate was in poor condition, but it was still used as a gala entrance to Kiev until the middle of the 18th century. Golden Gate witnessed many important historical events. In 1648 Kievers greeted the hero of the Ukrainian national liberation struggle Bogdan Khmelnitsky after his victory on Yellow Waters. In 1654, the year of reunion of Russia and Ukraine, Russian ambassadors solemnly passed through Golden Gate. In the middle of the 18th century the ruins of Golden Gate were covered up with earth.
The second birth of Golden Gate occurred in 1832, when archeologists discovered the ruins of old fortification construction. They were restored and fenced with metal iron. Kievers and guests of the city could admire the symbol of Russia's power. In 1970 it was decided to construct a pavilion that would protect the ruins and recreate the original look of Golden Gate. The museum exposition presents items related to the history of old Kiev, including weapons, everyday life objects and other exhibits that were found in the course of archeological excavations in the area of Golden Gate. It was discovered that the floor and the walls of old Annunciation church were covered with frescos and mosaics. It was the very church that was put up in honor of the Virgin as the gratitude for the victory over the Pechenegs, so the little pieces of smalt and plaster that were found are especially precious. The restored church was also decorated with mosaics and frescos.
The reconstructed pavilion of Golden Gate was opened in May 1982, when the country celebrated the 1,500th anniversary of Kiev.
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