KYIV

The capital of European-eastern state Ukraine, which became independent in 1991 after the collapse of USSR.

Independence Day is a state holiday and is celebrated on the 24-th of August.

State system – presidential republic

State language – Ukrainian

National currency – hrivna, kopeyka

Church is separated from the State. According to the Constitution all citizens of Ukraine have right for free belief. Most of the Kyiv residents are orthodox Christians, but there are also Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, and representatives of other religions and confessions.

The date of Kyiv’s foundation is 482 a.c. (which is a conditional date, in 1982 the city celebrated its 1500 anniversary).

The square of Kyiv is 827 sq.km. The extent along river Dnieper is more than 20 km.

The population is 2 640 000 people.

The territory of Kyiv is divided into 10 administrative units/regions:

The right bank of the Dnieper River:

Shevchenkovskiy – 200 000

Pecherskiy – 170 000

Podolskiy – 210 000

Obolonskiy – 290 000

Svyatoshinskiy – 360 000

Solomenskiy – 280 000

Goloseevskiy – 200 000

The left bank of the Dnieper River:

Desnyanskiy – 320 000

Dneprovskiy – 360 000

Darnitskiy – 250 000

The arms of Kyiv - on the first arms of the XV century there were a bow with two arrows. In 1782 the city got a new arms, where an archangel Michael was depicted. Archangel in a short tunis and a nimbus around the head, with a sword in the right hand and shield in the left one. In 1919 the arms was denied by Bolshevik government. And only in 50 years, 1969, a new arms of the city appeared. A shield in a Slavic form was a basis of a new arms. Above there were a sickle and a hammer and below - a medal “Golden Star” of the Hero of the Soviet Union (Kyiv has a status of city-hero). On the red and blue flap of the shield, which were the colors of the Ukrainian flag of that time, there was an inscription “KYIV”. In the center of the arms there was an inscription of a blossoming branch of a chestnut, which was crossing with an ancient Slavic weapon – bow. Despite the fact that chestnuts come from France, in Kyiv these trees found the second Motherland. After Ukraine became an independent state, the arms, with the description of archangel Michael, was returned. Michael archangel and Saint Sophia are considered to be the heavenly protestors of Kyiv.

GEOGRAPHY OF KYIV

The address of Kyiv on the map.

Ukraine, with its capital Kyiv, is situated on the Northern hemisphere on the Eurasia land in Eastern Europe. It is washed in the South by the Black and Azov seas. Ukraine is one of the biggest square states of Europe. It is bordered upon Russia, Byelorussia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Rumania, Moldova. Ukraine has sea borders with Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Rumania.

From the North to the South a large river Dnieper crosses the country. It begins at Valdayskaya height and flows into Dnieper-Bugskiy flood plain of the Black sea.

Kyiv is situated in the Northern part of Ukraine on the border between forest-steppe zone and the zone of combined forests in the middle flow of Dnieper on its both banks.

The relief of Kyiv.

Kyiv’s relief is represented with the plains forms: on the Left bank – Pridneprovskaya low-lying area, on the Right bank on the North – Polesskaya low-lying area, in the South – Pridneprovskaya eminence. A high right bank of the Dnieper River lies in the harpoons of Pridneprovskaya eminence. This raised place is called plateau. According to French, “plateau” means “flat”. It is cut with gullies and ravines. In some places the location is rising, forming lines of altitudes, in others it is lowering to the level of the valley of Dnieper. The highest points (106 meters) above the level of Dnieper are in the Eastern part of the city, in Pechersk region. From this point the location is gradually lowering to west, to broad valleys of River Lybid and Kreschatik and Skomoroh streams. Then it is rising again to Batieva Mount. Both plateaus, consisting of different rocks of clay, come abruptly to the east – to the valley of Dnieper River, to low locations of the city. The lowest points of the relief are on Podol (only 4-8 meters above the level of the river). Dnieper and its inflows (Desna, Pripyat, Berezina, Pochajna, Glubochiza, Kyjanka and also Lybid) have been of great importance in the political and economical life of the population of Middle Podneprovja. The territory of the modern Kyiv locked wide-branched system of rivers, which got the name “ a way from Varangians to Greeks”. At this point the most important trade ways crossed. Kyiv was surrounded by natural borders, which made the city almost inaccessible for enemies. And the territory of Kyiv had a marvelous harbor - Pochajna River.

HISTORY OF KYIV

Introduction

The development of Kyiv can not be imagined apart from Ukrainian people, its culture and art, Ukrainian state. Kyiv is the name of the city whose history treats back to the XV century and which had a long, complicated and full of drama way from the large settlement of Slavic tribe to one of the biggest cities of the world.

The history gave Kyiv the title “cradle of Russian cities”, cradle of brotherly people – Russian, Ukrainian and Byelorussian. Kyiv “stolniy grad” of the highly-developed and powerful feudal state Kyivskaya Rus became one of the centers where the Russian culture formed, which rises admiration of ancestors. In the Middle Ages Kyivskaya Rus was not only known in the western and eastern countries, it was also acknowledged as a powerful state.

In different epochs Kyiv was sung in annals and chronicles, poems and poetry, songs, operas.

Kyiv today is a capital of an independent Ukraine, big industrial, scientific and cultural center.

Ancient history

Primevil cultures

The most ancient of people’s settlements on the territory of modern Kyiv date back to the period of late Paleolithic epoch (ancient stone century - about 15-20 thousand of years ago). There were plenty of settlements of primeval people who hunted on mammals and rhinoceros. Paleolithic settlement on Kirillovskaya street was discovered by the famous Ukrainian archeologist V.Khvojka in 1893 and explored till 1900. According to the results of scientists’ investigations one can say that people’s living conditions of late Paleolithic epoch were influenced by the last frozen period and severe climate conditions. They hunted and gathered, built their dwellings of animals’ bones and furs. It is interested to know that on the Kirilovskaya settlement there were several fragments of mammoths’ tasks found. They were covered with geometrical and figurative ornaments. Probably, these ornaments are the most ancient memorials of fine arts on the territory of Kyiv. They depict the ancient religious conceptions of primeval people.

Analogical ancient settlements of Paleolithic, Mesolithic (middle stone century) and Neolithic (new stone century) epochs were discovered in other parts of the city: in Protasov Jar, in Solomenki and Sovok regions, Obolon and Priorka, on Lysaya gora, Vigurovzhina, Pirogov and Chapajevka, near Nikolskaya slobodka and other places. The tools of labor in Paleolithic epoch were cutters, scrappers, knife-like plates, etc. They were made of stone and animals’ bones.

In Mesolithic epoch (10-8 centuries ago) important changes took place in the economical and social society life - bows and arrows were invented, people began to hunt and fish, they began to try to tame wild animals. Neolithic epoch (6-4 c. B.C.) was the time of forming of tribal system, where matriarchal kin was the basis of economical and social life. This epoch is characterized by the appearance of the ceramics (clay crockery), perfection of tools of labor, conversion to agriculture and cattle-breeding, appearance of new industries, e.g. weaving. But the main farms were still hunting, gathering and fishing.

Tripol culture

After Neolithic epoch came Eneolithic one. In this epoch the extraction of brass ore and copper production began. People began to use the new tool of labor - hoes. Matriarchal period was ousted by patriarchal one.

In Middle Podneprovje the monuments of Eneolithic epoch are represented with the settlements of tribes of so-called Tripol culture (4-3 centuries B.C.).The settlements of Tripol culture usually consisted of scores of constructions, which were situated around (sometimes in several rounds) with the square in the middle. The dwellings were mostly built on the ground but there were also half dug-out dwellings. The walls of houses were made with burnt clay. In the houses there were big hearths or clay furnaces. Tripol people were perfect at making clay crockery. It was sculptured, burnt in special furnaces and decorated with multi-colored paintings. The ornament had a magical meaning and was connected with the people’s conceptions about the world. Tripol people professed cult of fertility and ancestors, worshiped nature. Besides crockery some statues made of red and black clay were found. The statues depicted women figures.

There were also collective burial places, which show the attitude of Tripol people to beyond of grave rituals. The deceased were buried on the back in a stretched position with the head turned to the west. Later, Tripol people began to cremate the deceased, remains of ashes were kept in urns or small rounded pits. Tools of labor, weapons, jewelry (amber beeds, bracelets) and crockery were put with the dead people.

Bronze epoch

On the territory of Ukraine the epoch of bronze dates back to the end of the 3-d-beginning the 1-st century B.C. The epoch is characterized by the further development of farming, agriculture. Bronze is harder than cooper and more fusible that is why different tools of labor, weapon and jewelry were made. During this epoch, social inequality increased among some families. Because of frequent wars and struggle for territory large tribal unions began to form. At the end of the 3-d century on the territory of Tripol people, representatives of Middle-Dnieper tribes settled. They built their dwellings of wood. They also took up farming and agriculture, weaving and pottering.

Early iron century

This epoch became the final period in the history of primevil society of Eastern Europe. Fore-slavic tribes, which lived on the territory of Kyiv, had developed much. They had built wooden houses and made clay crockery. To the early iron century scientists refer a bronze dagger. It was found during the construction of Anatomic theatre ( Khmelnitskiy Street, 37) in 1852. The shaft had a figure of a wild boar and the crossing had a figure of eagle heads. Coping with the iron was of a great importance for the development of other industries: cattle-breeding, farming, military. With the threat of attack from Skythian (VII c. B.C.) and Kimmerian tribes (VIII c. B.C.) forest-steppe tribes had to build massive fortified settlements. One can also see these settlements nowadays, which are kept in Bortnichi, Bojarka and other towns.

In the middle of the 1-st century B.C. the tribes began trade relations with neighboring antique states. At the beginning of the era the population was involved in intensive trade relations with eastern provinces of Rome.



Medieval Kyiv

Slavs and origin of Kyiv

At the end of the 1-st century on the territory of Middle and partly Upper Podneprovje a so-called Zarubinetsko-Korchevatskaya culture formed (the name was received because the first monuments were found in village Zarubintsi Kyivskaya region and village Korchevatoye). Zarubinetskaya culture existed from the 3-d c. B.C. till the 4-th c. A.C. Most investigators think that the bearers of this culture hunted, grew plants, fished. They were occupied with pottery, jewelry work, iron working, trade exchange.

Archeological materials show that Zarubinetskiy settlements on the territory of the future Kyiv were in full bloom in II - III centuries A.C., and after that period an extinction began. It happened as a result of devastating attacks of nomads.

The new development of culture began at the end of the 5-th century when the Slavs began to form new settlements - administrative and political centers of tribal units. So Kyiv became the center of such units.

The origin of ancient Slavic cities is connected with the origin of old Russian statehood. The city was founded by three brothers: Kiy, Zchek, Horiv, and their sister, Lybid. The city was named after the oldest brother - Kiy. According to the legend, Kiy was a Pole prince. He visited Zargrad and was accepted with honor by Byzantine emperor. There are a lot of sources according to which Kyiv was founded by different peoples. In fact, Kiy was a forefather of Kyiv prince dynasty. It extincted after the murder of his descendants - Askold and Dir.

In 1908 archeologists found on the Starokyievskaya Mount the remains of a fortress, which was surrounded by pit and swell. After some investigations it was ascertained that it dated back to V-VI centuries, i.e. to the time of Kiy’s reign. It is considered that before the fortress on Starokiyvskaya was built, the residence of the Prince was on Zamkova Mount. Just from that time Kyiv began to form the characteristics of feudal city. Kyiv was distinguished among other settlements because it became an important administrative, political, social and cultural center. In 1909 the archeological expedition of V. Hvoika found a stone sanctuary in the center of that ancient Kyiv settlement. Probably, the place was built to honor the Slavic God Svetovid (although some scientists think it was for Perun). The time of sanctuary’s construction dates back to V c. - beginning of VII c.

Kyivskaya Rus

This vivid period of Kyiv’s existence is worth to be told in details. With the development of Kyiv, Europe and Asia also developed as Kyiv influenced these lands much. Old Russian state was of a great political significance and played a great role in their histories as it united more than 20 peoples.

Kyiv on the eve and during the period of formation of the old Russian state.

In VIII-IX centuries the social-economical development of eastern Slavs were quicker than in VI-VII centuries. The highest rates of development were peculiar for Middle Podneprovye, which was proceeding forward taking the 1-st place in eastern Slavic world. On the border of VIII-IX centuries a new state union formed which was named “Russian land”. It was the large political and territorial center of the future Kyiv state. When the lands were “gathered”, the city became the center of the process, which ended at the end of IX century. During that time the number of population increased much. According to the evidence of Arabian writer Al-Istarhi Kyiv was at the beginning of the X c. larger than the capital of Bulgary - Bulgara. “Ruses make up three tribes one of which is closer to Bulgara and their Zar lives in the city Kuyaba (the Arabian variant of the word “Kyiv”), which is larger than Bulgara.

During IX-X centuries Kyiv subdued almost all eastern Slavs: Poles, Slaves, Kriviches, Drevlyans, Radimiches, Severyans, Vyatichis, Horvats, Ulichis, Dregovichis, Dulebs, Tivertses, and also non-slavic tribes: Ves, Chud and Merya. The historical role of Kyiv as a center of eastern Slavs began to intensify at the period of their colonization movement toward the South. According to chronicles “Life of St. George Anastridskiy” and “Life of St. Stephan Surozhskiy”, at the beginning of IX c. Rus squads devastated lands from Konstantinopol to Sinop and southern lands of Krim. Byzantine government negotiated with Kyiv princes but could not satisfy ambitions of the governors of a young and aggressive state. Of a great significance in the history of Rus in IX c. was a visit of a Russian embassy to a Byzantine emperor Pheophil in 838 and in 839 to a Frank king Ludowik Blagochestiviy in Ingelheim. The task of an embassy in Byzantine was to make peaceful relations, which were broke by Rus attacks on Krim and Amastrida. In Byzantine the Ruses were met kindly by Kagan embassy. “Kagan” - so the emperor Pheophil called the governor of Rus.

At the times of Askold and Dir’s government, in 860, the Old Russian forces made their first but not the only aggressive campaign to Zargrad (or Constantinopol). There had been a lot of attacks earlier but that one demonstrated great economical and military powers of Kyiv Rus. Russian fleet of 200 ships suddenly burst through Bosfor to Konstantinopol and besieged it on the 18-th of June. Only storm saved the capital of the empire from the full plunder. This event was described in the sermons of Fotiy patriarch who with horror wrote that Konstantinopol barely survived the attack. Venetian chronicle writer Ioann Djakon asserted that the Ruses left “with triumph”. Soon, probably during the reign of emperor Vasiliy I (867-886), the exchange of embassies between Kyiv and Zargrad happened, the peace was concluded and even some Ruses took Christianity. The governors of Kyiv kept up foreign-policy and trade affairs. There were a lot of important trade ways through Kyiv. Arabian writers and geographers of IX-X centuries (Ibn-Hordadbeg, Masudi, Ibn-Fadlan) knew and vividly described Kyiv as a center of one of 3 political unions of eastern Slavs. The most important trends of economical interests of the city were Bulgary, Middle Asia, Iran, Byzantine, Caucas. Archeological findings of foreign coins, bracelets, crockery, glass cubes prove one more time that Kyiv had a lot of trade affairs with eastern countries. Very often there was a natural exchange, so-called “barter”. For jewelry, fabrics, expensive crockery, carpets Rus merchants gave slaves, honey, wax and furs, which were of a great demand at Byzantine nobility. In IX c. a certain stage of Kyiv history completed, when it headed one of the several formings of eastern Slavs. Those formings were not only tribal units but princedoms performed as political organizations having territorial and social divisions. The origin of these units comes back to the IIX c. when Kyiv was a political center of “Rus land” - a state union, which was formed in Middle Podneprovje. The importance of a political role of “Rus land” is explained by the intensive economical development of the land in the middle of 1 c. A.C. Due to this, the young state became one of the leading countries of the world. Very often Rus people made military campaigns to Byzantine, which ended, as a rule, with agreements. Among such agreements one can find such items as: stop of military actions, return of captured lands, careful handling with orthodox temples, extradition of prisoners.

Approximately at the time of reign of Askold and Dir, according to the data of Nestor-chronicle, Novgorod and Krivich residents sent an embassy to Varyags with such a message: “ Our land is great and rich, but it has no order. Come and reign it.” Three brothers - Ryurik, Sineus and Truvor agreed to reign and came to the Slavs lands. When the Novgorod prince Ryurik was dying, his son Igor was not an adult yet, so Ryurik gave a power to his compatriot Oleg. He was a brave warrior and in 882 Oleg made a campaign to the South capturing on his way Smolensk and Lyibichi. Then, wheedling Askold and Dir he killed them and captured reign in Kyiv. After uniting southern and northern Ruses, Oleg, who had already had the title of “great prince”, strengthened the authority of Kyiv political power. The chronicle writer Nestor wrote that Oleg once expressed his opinion about Kyiv: “Let Kyiv be a mother of all Russian lands!”

In 907 Oleg made a successful campaign to Zargrad where 80 thousand warriors participated. As a result, it ended with peaceful agreement, which was very profitable for Kyiv Rus. It served a basis for the agreement of 911.

Igor, Ryurik’s son, was an adult but did not try to take power from Oleg. Probably, he understood that Oleg was braver and better as a statesman than he. In 903 Oleg chose a wife for Igor, who remained for the people as a princess Olga. According to the data of some historians the groom was from Pskov and had another name. Probably, she took that name after Oleg in honor that he was as a father for Igor. Oleg reigned in Kyiv for 33 years. There was a legend that Oleg believed in the prophecy that he would die from his horse. Oleg was afraid and never rode the horse. When it died, Oleg came to the horse, stepped on its head and said: “Shall I be afraid of him?” At that moment a snake crept from the head of the horse, bit Oleg and he died. There were also other versions that Oleg died during one of his campaigns. He was buried on Zhekavits Mount which was also called as Olegovka, Oleg Mount. A chronicle writer says that after Oleg’s death “people were crying and moaning”. Oleg was horrible for his enemies and dear for his people.

In 912 Igor became Kyiv prince (912-945). The beginning of his reign coincided with the worsening of inner situation of Rus. Some tribes decided to go out of Kyiv subordination. Igor organized a campaign against them, won and increased the amount of taxes for them. Igor tried to be no worse than his predecessor but in military campaigns he had less luck than Oleg. In 941, Igor made a campaign to Konstantinopol but failed. Most of the Russian ships were burnt.

In 944 Igor tried one more time to capture Konstantinopol, but a Byzantine emperor sent an embassy with a lot of expensive presents and gained “ever-lasting peace”. Since 920 Igor fought with Pechenegs. They rebelled sometimes and Igor decided to increase their taxes as a revenge. In 945 the Pechenegs rebelled again and killed Igor - “it is better to kill the predator before he kills his victims”. According to the legend, Igor was severely executed. Drevlan prince Mal tried to capture the reign. But he failed. Igor’s widow, princess Olga, pressed the rebellion very severely. She decided to revenge for her husband’s death.

The chronicle writer Nestor wrote that after Igor’s death a Drevlan prince Mal came to Olga to seek in marriage. She accepted the guests and promised Mal to be his wife. On the next day she trapped the guests and ordered to bury them alive. She went to the capital of Drevlan land, gave alcohol to drink to nobility and ordered to kill them. About 5000 of Drevlan warriors were murdered. Frightened citizens proposed Olga expensive gifts but she refused. She left the city taking its pigeons, ordered to burn twigs and attach them to the legs of birds. The pigeons were left. They came back to their nests and burnt the city. Those people who tried to run from the burning city were met by warriors and killed.

Some consider Olga to be severe, others that she was very just. Olga accepted new laws as for punishment and taxation.

In 955 she visited a Byzantine emperor Konstantin Bagryanorodniy in Konstantinopol. The emperor and a Russian princess negotiated about political problems and trade relations. Kyiv Rus also had diplomatical affairs with German Empire.

When Olga decided to accept Christianity, she went to Konstantinopol and the emperor Konstantin himself christened her. She received the name Yelena. Oga tried to convince her son Svjatoslav also to accept Christianity but he refused and continued to follow a pagan belief.

Olga was very wise and respected. Even Drevlan people respected her. N.Karamzin wrote about her the next: “ The legend says Olga is cunning, church - Saint, history - Wise. She managed to keep peace at her land, made laws and governed. During her reign Russia was known in far European countries.” The residence of Olga was not in Kyiv but in Vishgorod, which even today has the second name - “Olga’s grad”.

In 965 Svyatoslav Igorevich became a great prince. He was prince-warrior. He spent all his life in military campaigns. During IX - X centuries Kyiv was prospering and made agreements with Byzantine (860, 874, 882, 911, 944). At the time of Svyatoslav’s reign (965-972) Kyiv Rus strengthened itself on international arena. It bothered Konstantinopol. Its diplomacy tried to sap the power of Rus. Byzantine applied for the help to Pechenegs. In 968, when Svyatoslav with Kyiv nobility stayed on Balkans, Pechenegs attacked them. Svyatoslav was killed during his second campaign in 972. After his death the sons began to fight for the throne. Vladimir got the throne. During his reign (980 - 1015) a long process of territory’s formation was finished at last. The borders were determined. It was finished with autonomous lands. Vladimir put every of his sons into kingdoms. As a result, all levels of a state feudal hierarchy were under control of one kin.

During the reign of Vladimir Christianity began to blossom. Vladimir ordered to ruin heathen temples and to build Christian churches. In 988 a church of St. Vasiliy was ruined and in 996 a Desyatinnaya Church was built. It was a temple with a cross-like dome, decorated with inlay, frescos, different marbles and slabs.

Not far from Desyatinnaya Church there were prince palaces. A German churchman Titmar Mezeburgskiy in his “Chronicle” characterized Kyiv as “a large city with more than 400 churches, 8 markets, a lot of citizens”.

Vladimir’s son Yaroslav continued to take care of the city, its culture and education. He was called Yaroslav the Wise. In 1030 Yaroslav the Wise spread his power to the western coast of Chudskiy lake, where the city Yurjev was founded. In 1036 the Rus raided on Pechenegs and broke their power. The authority of Kyiv Rus greatly increased. It had trade affairs with the southern and eastern countries, Germany, France, Hungary and other countries. The kings of European countries held it for honor to make related with Yaroslav the Wise. His daughter Anna was married to French king, Elizabeth - to Norwegian king, Anastasy - to Hungarian king, Vsevolod - to Byzantine queen, Svyatoslav - to the sister of Trir bishop.

During the reign of Yaroslav the Wise there were a lot of cultural monuments built - Sophia Cathedral, Golden gates, George and Irin monasteries. The official residence of the prince was in the “city of Vladimir”. Besides, from the end of the X-th c. He also had a residence on Berestovo.

The Ruses were fond of different handicrafts, which were the basis of Kyiv’s economy.

Some part of the made goods was sold in the city, another one was taken to other cities.

After the death of Yaroslav the Wise his sons, Izyaslav, Svyatoslav an Vsevolod began to fight for the power. Izyaslav was lucky and took the power. In 1073 Svyatoslav took the reign. In 1076 Vsevolod became the prince but very soon he had to give back the power to Izyaslav. In 1078 Izyaslav died and Vsevolod became the prince again. In 1093 Izyaslav’s son Svyatopolk became the prince.

The worsening of relations between classes made boyars to invite to Kyiv a Pereyaslav prince Vladimir Monomach (Vsevolod’s son). In 1113, he made new laws “The statute of Vladimir Monomach” which restricted usury and facilitated the situation of the population. He led policy, which was forwarded to restoration of Russian unity, strengthening of the prince’s power, keeping international relations. Mstislav Vladimirovich (1125-1132) successfully continued the policy. But further development of feudal relations made the process of splitting up inevitable. Nominally Kyiv remained the capital of Kyiv Rus, its political center. The fight of princes for Kyiv throne continued. Mainly, it was led between the Monomachoviches (heirs of Vladimir Monomach) and Olgoviches (heirs of Oleg Svjatoslavovich, the grandson of Yaroslav the Wise).

Decline of Kyiv Rus .

Intestine fights between the princes very often ended with the destruction of the city. From the end of the XII c. the struggle for Kyiv was led between Galitsko-Volin, Smolensl and Chernigiv cities. In 1237-1238 the flocks of Khan Batiy deserted the lands of Northern-Eastern Rus. The vanguards of conquerors were in 1238 on the left bank of the Dnieper River. Kyiv prince Michael Vsevolodovich escaped, feeling the danger, to Hungary. In 1240 Daniil Romanovich Galitskiy possessed the city and left there his deputy Dmitriy. In 1240 the troops of Khan Batiy came into the right bank and settled in Kyiv.

Dmitriy directed the defense of Kyiv. Batiy’s warriors managed to ruin some part of the city near Lyadskiy gates. Despite the power and brave of Kyiv citizens the enemies captured the city. According to the data of the chronicle Kyiv struggled for 10 weeks and 4 days. The Mongols came to the Desyatinnaya church, where old people, women and children were hidden, and ruined it. A lot of Kyiv citizens were killed, most part of the city was burnt. But even under the reign of Mongol-Tatar yoke citizens of Kyiv tried to build houses for themselves, grew plants. Kyin remained the center of Christian Rus.

Understanding the importance of Kyiv in the life of Eastern Europe, the khans tried to make everything possible to keep it from the Renaissance. In 1243 the Mongolian Khan gave the city to Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, who appointed the boyar Dmitriy Yeikovich as his deputy. In 1249, after Yaroslav Vsevolodovich’s death, Alexandr Nevskiy got the right for “Kyiv and all Russian land”. From 1263 to 1271 Kyiv land was considered as the possession of Alexandr Nevskiy’s brother Yaroslav Yaroslavoich. But he did not live in the city. At the end of XIII c. khans had their deputies in Kyiv - rich local feudals - and so they had a full power in Kyiv.

In 1362 Kyiv lands i.e. Kyiv, Pereyaslavchina and Podoliya were at the possession of Lithuania feudal lords. It influenced very much economical, political and cultural development of those Old Russian lands.

Kyiv land became the principality of a Lithuania prince, who reigned through Kyiv prince. Olcherd gave Kyiv land and Pereyaslav lands to Vladimir, who reigned from 1362 to 1394. Vladimir supported the affairs with Northern-Eastern Russian principalities and was against a prince power. In 1396 a Kyiv crown land was liquidated.

The liquidation of Kyiv and other crown lands led to the strengthening of the influence of Lithuania feudal lords upon local population.

National-liberation wars.

In 30-s of the XV-th c. Kyiv was in the center of complicated political events. The population struggled with feudal lords for freedom.

In 1440 Lithuania government could suppress the insurrection but they had to agree to restore a Kyiv crown land. It had to confess the right of Alexandr Vladimirovich, the son of ex-prince Vladimir Olgerdovich, to reign. Kyiv princes Alexandr Vladimirovich (1440-1455) and his son Simeon Alexandrovich (1455-1471) tried to get a political consolidation of princedom and protected its sovereignty.

The development of political meaning of Kyiv crown land began to bother Lithuanian feudal lords and they decided to liquidate it in 1470.

In 1482 Krim Horde with the Khan Mengli-Girey at the head raided Kyiv. They completely ruined the city, killed a lot of people. In order to help Kyiv to revive and to incline the city rich people a Lithuanian prince Alexandr Kazemirivich gave Kyiv a Magdeburg right. According to it a certain part of the population was not indictable to the deputy’s jurisdiction. Those people were under the reign of a Magistrate, which consisted of Rada and Lava.

The development of Rus state at the end of XV - XVI cc. promoted the strengthening of the struggle of Kyiv bourgeois for freedom. The brother of the prince Simeon Alexandrovich - Michael and also the princes Ph.Belskiy and I.Golshanskiy organized a conspiracy in order to capture the power. But the conspiracy was disclosed. In the August 1481 Michael Alexandrovich and I.Golshanskiy were publicly executed.

In 1506 Glinskiy princes - Michael, Vasiliy and Ivan began to prepare the rebellion against Lithuania, which started in 1508 in the Norht of Kyiv land. But rebellion was suppressed.

In 1569 according to Lyublin Union the Pole feudal lords made their supremacy on the majority of Ukrainian lands, including Kyiv. After Brest Union in 1596 their was a policy according to which Ukrainian Christian population had to accept a Catholic belief. In the middle of XVII c. there were 4 Roman Catholic Churches in Kyiv. Of course such situation in the city made the local population dissatisfied and there were more often rebellions.

In 1615 there was a Kyiv brotherhood created, which became the center group of Kyiv citizens who decided to unite in the struggle against Catholic and Uniate policies. But constantly, those policies weakened and that is why the members of the Brotherhood did not take part actively in political and cultural lives of the city.

The policy of violence and exploitation made Ukrainian people unite in the desire to struggle for freedom. Kyiv’s population united to the rebellion of T.Phedorovich (Tryasilo) in 1630, destroyed Pole troops in Pechersk and Podol regions, took part in the campaigns of 1637-1638 and liberation wars of 1648-1654.

The participation of Kyiv population in the war of 1648-1654.

At that time Kyiv was a residence of the voivode. Pole embassy wanted to have rich Kyiv bourgeois on their side and so they let them have rights of Magderburg agreement. Most of the population was Ukrainian. There were also Russian, Pole, Byelorussian, Armenian, Moldova, Jews, Greece residence in Kyiv.

The liberation war of 1648-1654 was the most significant event in the life of Ukrainian people. On the 11-th of December the rebellion began. The warriors captured Kyiv castle with weapons and local town hall. On the 23 of December the liberated people met the Kosak troop with B.Chmelnitskiy at the head.

In February 1649 Chmelnitskiy began to negotiate with the representatives of the Pole king in Pereyaslav. He demanded freedom of actions and inviolability for Kyiv citizens.

But in August 1649 Chmelnitskiy had to make a Zborovskiy agreement, which partly secured the results of a liberation war of the Ukrainian people. In Kyiv a Pole administration settled. A.G.Kisel became the viovode. In July-August 1651 Kyiv was captured by Pole-Lithuania forces of hetman Y.Radzivilla. They robbed and then burnt the city. During the fire some 2 thousand houses were burnt.

Ukraine numbering Russia.

A so-called Pereyaslav Rada played a great role for Kyiv. It took place in 1654. There was a decision accepted according to which Ukraine formed part with Russia. At the beginning of XVIII c. there was a Kyiv guberniya created and Kyiv became a guberniya city.

In 1654 Kyiv was given the diploma according to which it had local self-government and judicial system. In XVII c. Kyiv was an economical and cultural center of Ukrainian lands. The union of Bratskaya and Lavr schools was the beginning of the foundation of Kyiv-Mogilyanskaya collegium. In the libraries of Kyiv monasteries a lot of precious books were kept. In Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra painters and masters worked creating masterpieces, which are of a great value today. There were also icon masters who painted the icons, a lot of stone houses and churches, monasteries were built. In 1679 kozaks of hetman I.S.Samoylovich began to build fortresses around Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, along Dnieper River and in Obolon. Kyiv was at that time the center of the development of different industries. Book-printing also developed, so new professions appeared.

Kyiv had broad trade relations with Russia and other countries. In XVIII c. new private industrial enterprises appeared. In 1750-1763 on Pechersk the first wooden house of Kyiv “Arsenal” was built. There were a lot of trade fairs in Kyiv, which helped to develop trade and industry of Kyiv.

Kyiv had not a territorial complex till the XVIII c. Each of three parts of the city (Podol, Pechersk, Upper city) had their own administrative system. The upper city was ruled by Sophia and Michael monasteries. Podol was ruled by general-governor and partly by Kyiv-Pechersk monastery. Podol was ruled by the Magistrate. A lot of buildings were erected by Ukrainian and Russian architects.

In 1782 Kyiv was ruled by a governor-general. According to some data the publishing house of Pechersk Lavra published 32 books, some of them - about the history of Kyiv. At the beginning of the XIX c. there were schools, colleges and private boarding schools in the city. In 1809 a Kyiv gymnasium was opened. In 1850-s Sunday schools appeared.

At the end of the XVII - beginning of the XIX cc. Kyiv numbered 57 streets, 101 lanes, 11 squares, 8 bridges, 11 exits of the city. Kyiv was divided into 4 administrative parts: Pechersk, Upper city, Podol and Flat sloboda (the location between today’s Zhitniy market and Kurenivka). In the beginning of the XIX c. Kyiv numbered villages Kurenivka, Priorka, Sirets and others. Due to the quick building of the city there also two more parts appeared - Dvortsovaya (Lipki) and Libidskaya (Novostroiki).

In 1811 there was a great fire on Podol - the most populated part of the city. In 1812 a new plan of building of that part by architect V.I. Geste was approved.

In XIX a lot of buildings in Kyiv were built according to the projects of A.I.Melenskiy - the first city theatre, church of Christmas, the ensemble of Florovskiy monastery and other buildings. According to some regulations of 1834 Kyiv had to be built with beautiful buildings. Narrow lanes had to be liquidated. A lot of enterprises, railways and institutions were built. In 1898 a Politechnic institute was founded. A Russian opera was opened (1867), Musical school (1868), Drawing school of N.I.Murashko (1875). In 70-s a wide activity of N.V.Lisenko expanded. First drama troupes appeared. A lot of plants began to work - brewery plant, metal-working plant, confectionary plant, tobacco plant and others. In 1897 there were 17 enterprises where more than 100 workers were employed. In 1894 a city canalization started its work. The number of population increased and there was a need of social transport. A new kind of transport began to work - the trams were ridden by horses, the so-called konka. The significant event for Kyiv was the building of electrical station and lightning of Kyiv. From 1888 people began to use telephone.

In 1856 Kyiv numbered 4873 houses and in 80-s of XIX c. it already had 5906 country estates with 21120 houses. During the second part of XIX c. the number of population increased in almost 4,5 times. The administrative center in 70-s XIX began to move from Pechersk to Khreshatik, where in 1874-1876 a house for the City Duma was built.

At the end of the XIX c. Kyiv looked like a bourgeois society with all its advantages and disadvantages. Despite the success of the development of the economics of the city, the capitalism could not solve some economical and social problems.

With the development of industry the proletariat also developed. In 1897 plants numbered some 11,2 thousand of workers. The working day lasted 12 hours on average. Work conditions were poor and workers were dissatisfied. In 1879 the workers made the first compact with the employers.

In XIX Kyiv was the center of national movements in Ukraine - “Kyiv commune” (1873-1874), “Southern-Russian union of workers” (1880), “National will” (1884).

In 1889 a first social-democratic group appeared. The members of the group were students and railway workers. In March 1897 some political groups united and a Kyiv “Union for the liberation of working class” appeared. Beginning with 70-s XIX c. many students took part in the meetings expressing their opinions as for the political and social situation in Kyiv and Ukraine.

Kyiv was a large credit center, there were some 11 banks and branches in the city.

At the beginning of a new century a material crisis influenced the economics of the Ukraine. The total value of industry decreased in almost two times. Poor crops and hunger were the consequences of that crises. A small rise in the economics, connected with the Russian-Japanese war, soon was changed by the period of a long stagnation.

In the beginning of XX c. there were a lot of political insurrections of workers - demonstrations, strikes.

In 1914 Russia began to take part in the war and it influenced Ukraine very much. The plants worked not in a full power. They lacked coal and iron. The plants, which produced weapons lacked workers, so children and women began to work there. The working days were longer but the wages were shorter.

The strengthening of the exploitation, poor life conditions and wages made people to strike against the regime. February and October events of 1917 in St. Petersburg brought to the South of Russia Empire hunger, mess, epidemics.

After the dethronement of the Zar Nikolay the II-d Kyiv had a multiple power. Population was divided into several groups who adhered to several policies. On the 3-4 of March bourgeois-national parties and organizations created in Kyiv a Central Rada with the head of M.Grushevskiy, V.Vinnichenko, S.Yephremov, S.Petlura, P.Chrestyuk and others. Rada called “to choose Ukrainian people on all places”.

In 1917-1918 the poor wanted to liquidate monopol land ownership denying the suggestion of Cebtral Rada to begin an agrarian reform in frames of law. This influenced the fighting efficiency of a Ukrainian army very bad. They denied to protect Ukrainian Republic.

In October 1917 Temporary government failed. Bolsheviks captured the power. But soon, in March 1918 Austrian-German troops entered Kyiv. They formed their own government with P.P. Skoropadskiy on the head.

In November 1918 in Kyiv a bourgeois-national government was formed - Directory, which in February 1919 was expelled by Red forces.

On the 6-th of 1919 the first legal meeting of Kyiv Soviet took place. 22 of 32 members were Communists. The chairman was A.Bubnov.

In the beginning of May 1919 illegal meeting took place where the representatives of nationalistic parties made an agreement to fight against Soviet power.

The White Guard forces also wanted to capture power in Kyiv. On the 31-t of 1919 the White Guard forces of Bredov entered Kyiv. Denikin forces kept in the city from August till December 1919. General of White Guard forces Denikin denied Ukrainian nation, language and culture.

Capitalists began to own the plants again. American, English and other missions came to Ukraine and began to plan new robberies of Ukrainian lands.

Ukrainian publishing houses were closed, a lot of books were burnt. The monument to T.G.Shevchenko was thrown from a pedestal by Denikin forces. Jews were persecuted.

In December 1919 the Soviet power was restored and by 1920 it was firmly established.

The I World and Civic wars influenced the social end economical situations of Ukraine very much - enterprises and houses were ruined, forests and parks burnt.

On the 30 of December 1922 the first congress of USSR Soviet took place in Moscow. The decision was taken about the formation of the Union of the Soviet Social Republics (Ukraine, Russia, Byelorussia, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Abkhazia). Kyiv became the capital of the Soviet republic Ukraine in 1934 (from December 1919 Ukraine’s capital was Kharkov).

By 1937 new territories entered the city - Darnitsa, Nivki, Chokolovka, Nikolskaya Sloboda. In 1937 there were already 8 administrative regions instead of 5. In 1935 Kyiv became a region center. In 1939 Kyiv numbered 847 000 of population. Old plants were restored and new factories were built. Kyiv became the center of light industry and mechanical engineering.

In 1939 the II World War started. On the 22-nd of June the forces of Fascist Germany raided USSR. From the beginning of the Great Patriotic War Kyiv was bombed. A lot of plants, enterprises and schools were closed. Industry plants were reconstructed for producing weapons. The heroic defense of Kyiv lasted 72 days. On the 19 of September the Germans entered the city. Ukrainians bravely defended their city.

For 778 days was Kyiv in occupation. German fascists made a regime with a lot of directives and orders. Those, who broke the rules, were killed or put into camps. More than 200 000 of Kyiv citizens were killed, more than 100 000 were taken to Germany for forced labor. A lot of streets were ruined, museums and theatres were robbed, enterprises were burnt, tram parks were liquidated.

On the 6-th of November 1943 Kyiv was set free by the troops of the 1-st Ukrainian front of general N.F.Vatutin.

When the war ended in 1945 Kyiv was constantly rebuilt. The restoration of economics coincided with the worsening of international relations between USSR and other members of anti-Gitler coalition. Stalin’s leadership tried to thrust socialism on the countries of Eastern Europe. This trials were strictly met by USA and Great Britain. The cold war started. It took many material resources. Trade relations between East and West declined. A so-called “iron blind” appeared between USSR and USA and also their strategic partners.

One of the most significant events of Ukraine’s development was the return of captured people from Germany and demobilization of soldiers.

In August 1946 the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine accepted the Law of a Five-year plan of restoration and development of national industry of Ukraine. In 1961 the government of USSR gave Kyiv a title “Hero-city”. Many Kyiv citizens were honored with the medal “For the defence of Kyiv”. In 1982 Kyiv numbered 250 Heroes of Soviet Union. On the 9-th of May 1981 a large memorial complex “Ukrainian state museum of the history of Great Patriotic War” was opened.

A lot of industries began to go in right. The production of many plants and factories was of a great demand not only in USSR but also abroad. In 1958 Kyiv funicular was reconstructed, passenger-carriages were changed for more comfortable ones. In 1960 Kyiv metropolitan started its work. First blue carriages ran from “Vokzalnaya” to “Dnieper”.

The revival of a cultural life.

In 1955-1956 Kyiv counted 219 schools, 53 schools for working youth, 3 boarding schools.

In 1946 there were 23 institutions in Kyiv. New academies and scientific laboratories appeared. In 1949 the first electronic machine of the country was made (S.A.Lebedev).

In 1961 Kyiv had 108 laboratories. Such scientists as Y.Paton, S.Lebedev, N.Amosov, A.Kolomijchenko, A.Palladin, N.Bogolyubov were famous not only in Ukraine but also abroad.

The main plots of after-war literature were stories about bravery, courage, patriotism of our people. The books of P.Tichina (“To grow and act”, “We have power”), M.Rilskiy (“Bridges”, “Goloseyevskaya autumn”, “Roses and vineyards”), V.Sosura (“For the gardens to live”, “Nature’s world”) and others were very famous. S.Voskrekasenko, D.Belous, V.Lagoda, A.Kosmatenko had a lot of wonderful satiric and humorous works.

In after-war years on Kyiv film-studio such producers as I.Savchenko, M.Donskoy, B.Barnet, V.Brown, operators as D.Demutskiy, I.Shekker, A.Mishurin and others created world-known masterpieces. In 1957 Kyiv film-studio was awarded the name of A.P.Dovzhenko.

The success of the development of Kyiv.

In 1959 Kyiv numbered 1 110 000 population, in 1970 - 1 632 000. A lot of people of different nationalities from all over world came to Kyiv. A social structure of Kyiv changed very much.

New plants and factories appeared, more and more houses were built. There were not any barriers for modern technologies of construction, so houses were built on steppes, dunes and other places, which earlier were very difficult for the construction.

In 1953 a bridge was erected which was called in honor of its architect Yevgeniy Paton. In whole there were 8 bridges built which connected right and left banks of Kyiv. Two railway bridges, two metropolitan bridges and other passages, short and long were built in order to create a whole system of travel.

In 80-s a crisis of Soviet system led to the collapse of USSR and rebirth in 1991of an independent state Ukraine.

From 1982 to 1985 the state soviet leadership was changed for 3 times. In 1982 a General secretary of a Central Committee of CPSU and a Chairman of the Presidium of Supreme Soviet of USSR Leonid Iljich Brezhnev died. His place was taken by J.Andropov, who had been the leader of CSS. Soon he fell ill seriously and died in February 1984. From March 1984 to March 1985 K.Chernenko was a general secretary, but after his death in 1985 the post of the General secretary of a Central Committee of CPSU and a Chairman of the Presidium of Supreme Soviet of USSR was taken by Michael Sergejevich Gorbachev. The period of his reign, March 1985 - August 1991, is known in the history as “Perestroika”.

During this period Ukraine could form the basis for independence. 1988 and 1989 are characterized by an active political life. Ukrainian Khelsin Union with L.Lukjanenko on its head started its work in Kyiv. In 1989 an article of National Rukh of Ukraine (V.Chernovol) appeared in the newspaper “Literal Ukraine”. There were also some other organizations who actively led a social-political life.

On 28 of September 1989 a plenary session of CC CPU took place with the participation of M.Gorbachev. V.Sherbitskiy was dismissed from the position of the first secretary. His place was taken by V.Ivashko.

In January 1990, Rukh and other democratical parties suggested to celebrate the 71-st anniversary of the union of UNR and ZUNR.

On the 21 of January 1991 a live chain between Lviv and Kyiv was formed - “Ukrainian wave”. It was the first start of people’s massive expressing of the eagerness of independence. The first legal event towards independence was the acceptance of Declaration about State Sovereignty of Ukraine, adopted by the Supreme Soviet of USSR on the 16-th of July 1990.

The events of 19-21 August 1991 in Moscow made political leaders of Ukraine to begin active programs.

On the 24-th of August Ukraine was proclaimed an independent state. A new state appeared on the map of the world. Kyiv remained the capital of Ukraine. On the 4-th of September 1991 the yellow and blue flag was raised above the building of the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine. On the 28-th of January 1992 the flag was admitted to be a state flag of Ukraine. On the 19-th of February the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine confirmed the small arms of Ukraine - trizub. On the 16 of January 1992 the national hymn of Ukraine was adopted.

The referendum of the 1 of December remained in the history of Ukraine as a significant event - the day of national pride. In the bulletin there were only two questions - confirmation of the independence and president’s election. The first president was L.M.Kravchuk.

The legislative power in Ukraine is the Supreme Soviet.

The councils and executive Committees are ruled by the chairmen, who are elected by people. The first chairman of Kyiv city council was L.Kosakiyevskiy.

The system crises of society made people dissatisfied with the work of the President and the Supreme Soviet. In June-July 1994 there were preterm elections held. L.D.Kuchma was elected the second president of Ukraine.

On the 28 of June a new Constitution of independent Ukraine was adopted. According to the Constitution Kyiv and Sevastopol received special statutes. A.Omelchenko was appointed on the post of city mayor. His program was - “Kyiv - a European capital”. The results of his work were brilliant, it is proved by the fact that in 2002 he was elected on that post again. For the last 8 years Kyiv has become a sample of a European capital.

The achievements of Kyiv scientists are known around the world. Foreign scientists are especially interested in the achievements of our native scientists connecting with cosmic investigations. The technologies of the production of artificial diamonds are also world-known.

Nowadays, Boris Paton is the head of the Academy of Science of Ukraine. Powerful modern planes are the pride of Ukraine - “Antey”, “Ruslan”, “Mriya”. They were constructed by Oleg Antonov. Sergey Korolev, the father of cosmic ships, also studied in Kyiv. A lot of lives were saved according to the scientific works of Nikolay Amosov. In his institute the most complicated operations on heart are done. Alexandr Shalimov wrote 800 scientific works and created new methods of surgical operations.

A lot of world-known institutions are in Kyiv: National University of T.Shevchenko, National technical University of Ukraine, National medical University of M.Bogomolets, Kyiv international University of civic aviation, National musical academy of P.Chaikovskiy, Institute of culture, Institute of Drama, Ukrainian academy of Arts.

Three theatres have a title of “academic theatres”: State Academy Drama theatre of I.Franko, National academic Russian drama theatre of L.Ukrainka, National opera of Ukraine of T.Shevchenko

Three out of four film-studios are working now in Kyiv.

Kyiv.

The history gave Kyiv a name “a mother of Russian cities”. In Kyiv appeared and developed Old Russian culture, which even today rises admiration of the ancestors.

There 68 museums in Kyiv nowadays: Ukrainian House, Historical museum of Ukraine, museums of Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, Ukrainian native-decorative art, Kyiv-Pechersk historical and cultural nature reserve, museum of T.Shevchenko, the museum of historical values of Ukraine, the museum of a book and book-printing of Ukraine, museum of national architecture and life of Ukraine, a museum of Eastern and Western arts, literature-memorial museums of L.Ukrainka, M.Lisenko, M.Rilskogo, A.Korneychuka, P.Tichini and others.

There unique architectural monuments in Kyiv:

- Sophia Cathedral (1037),

- Golden Gates (1037),

- Michail church of Vidubets monastery (1070-1088),

- Uspenskiy Cathedral (1073-1078),

- Troitskaya Church of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavr (1108),

- Spas Church on Berestovo (1113-1125),

- Kirillovskaya church (50-s of XII),

- Iljinskaya church (1692),

- Buildings of Kyiv academy (XVIII- beg. XIX cc.),

- Andrejevskaya church (1747-1753),

- Marijin palace (1750-1755),

- Klovskiy palace (1752-1756),

- Contract house (1815-1817),

- Vladimir Cathedral (1862-1882),

- Opera house (1901),

- The House of a state bank (1902-1905),

- Bessarabian sheltered market (1910-1912) and others.

Kyiv is one of the most green cities of the world. There are more than 60 parks in it. In spring there are blossoming chestnuts and limes in the streets.

There are two botanical gardens in the city: the old one, near the University and Central republic botanical garden of National academy of sciences of Ukraine. Hydropark and zoological park are also well-known.

Kyiv This short word means city, whose origin comes back to the ancient times; city, whose history is more than 1500 years old. Kyiv has had a glorious development for 15 centuries - from the settlement of Pole tribes to one of the most developed cities in the world.

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