In 1744 Russian Empress Elizabeth, daughter of Peter I, during her visit to Kiev chose a place of the palace construction. Maryinski Palace was constructed in 1750 - 1755 in accordance with the project of B.Rastrelli. The Palace Complex has a strict symmetrical composition. The main two-floor building and single-floor side outhouses create a wide yard. Palace architecture is made in baroque style: expressive volumes, rich plastics of fasades. Today Maryinskiy Palace is the residence of the President of Ukraine and is called "Presidential Palace".

The central square of Kiev. Up to the end of the X century this place as well as whole Kreschatik was called "Perevisische" and here were forest thickets. In 1991 the square was given the modern name as a symbol of Ukrainian State Independence declaration.

By historical annals Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was founded in 1051. The word "Pechersk" starts from "Caves" in Russian. Caves were found on this territory. Lavra is an honorary name that was given to the largest and most significant monasteries. While playing a substantial role in unification of Eastern Slavic lands, being the clerical, social, cultural and educational center, Pechersk Cloister had a meritorious fame not only in Russia but in Poland, Armenia, Byzantium, Bulgaria and other countries. The majority of the Monastery buildings are dated 17-18 centuries and are the example of Ukrainian Baroque style in architecture.

Architecturally this Cathedral looks like Sofia Cathedral in Constantinople but Sofia in Kiev has its own coloring and unsurpassed beauty. Starting from its existance this cathedral was the main center of Kiev Empire. Here were Prince's Receptions for important ambassadors held, here was the library of Yaroslav the Wise. Sofia Cathedral was the first Ukrainian architectural monument included into the list of UNESCO World Ancestry.

The first church of Michael was made of wood and only in many years in 1108 Prince Svyatopolk-Mikhail on the place of this wooden church founded a stone building. Into the sacred relics of this Cathedral can be attributed: 15 fingerrings of refined jewellery work, crosses with diamonds, icons of Mikhail the Priest and saint Barbara. In 1888 during archeological digs over the ground levels relics were found - frescoes of the XI century.

Once an ambitious Pole named Vladislav Gorodetski seriously was keen on architecture and hunting. Due to this a House with Chimeras appeared in the center of Kiev. This famous building constructed in 1902-1903 could be called the most unusual Ukrainian house. Its chimeras impress everybody. And the interior style of this house, made at the modern epoch, never was repeated.

Dessiatinnaya Church

This church is the first stone church in Kievskaya Russia. It was constructed by Russian and Byzantine masters in 988-996 in honor of the Blessed Virgin Birth during the reign of Vladimir the Prince who alloted one tenth of all prince's revenue - a dessiatina (its name goes from this word). The Church was a cross and domical six-pillar temple. Dessiatinnaya Church was destroyed because of the soviet regime intentions to construct here a governmental block of buildings. Presently Kiev authorities decided to restore Dessiatinnaya Church.

In 1814 Roman-Catholic commune of the town decided to construct its own Roman-Catholic church and name it after Alexander (the Russian Tsar Alexander I). Architectural decoration of the church is rather magnificent. Its main relics are a crusifix and wonderfully made copy of Madonna by Rafael, all brought from Italy.