KIEV-PECHERSK LAVRA   (photo)
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is a unique monastic complex, included by the UNESCO into the list of the monuments of the world-wide significance. More than 43 million of tourists from all over the world have visited this complex since its establishment. The complex consists of two parts: the above-ground (religious constructions complex) and underground (caves).
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was established back in 1051, when Antoniy, a monk, settled here in a cave excavated in the slope of a hill. Soon he was joined by his soul-mates, which started expanding the caves, and later, when the underground shrine was not able any longer to give shelter to all the brothers - erecting the first monastic buildings.
It was these caves that gave the name to the monastery, and "lavra" means the status, which was granted to large and influential monasteries that by their dimensions were like small towns possessing their own streets ("lavra" in Greek means a "street").
The monastery played a notable role in the development of the Ukrainian culture - construction of temples sharpened the skills of architects and artists; here the first in the Kievan Rus printing-house was established. Lavra was a place which hosted the famous chroniclers, writers, scientists, artists, doctors, and publishers. It was here, where in about 1113, Nestor, a chronicler, wrote his "Povest Vremennykh Let" ("The Tale of Times") - the key source of our knowledge about Kievan Rus.
Near Pechersk Lavra in the Spass Church on Berestove was buried the founder of Moscow - Yuriy Dolgorukiy Prince.
Lavra's caves are a system of underground corridors consisting of two parts - Close and Remote. The first records about the caves are dated 1052. Initially, the monks lived in those caves and later it became the place where they buried the deceased settlers of the monastery. In particular, there were buried: Nestor the Chronicler, the author of "Povest Vremennykh Let" ("The Tale of Times"), Illia Muromets - the ancient hero, and imperishable relics of Lavra's saints.

St. SOPHIA CATHEDRAL   (photo)
 The cathedral's name comes from the Hagia Sophia cathedral in Constantinople. According to a less popular theory, its model was the 13-domed oaken Saint Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod, which Yaroslav I the Wise determined to imitate in stone as a sign of gratitude to the citizens of Novgorod who had helped him secure the Kievan throne in 1019.
The first foundations were laid in 1037 but the cathedral took two decades to complete. The structure has 5 naves, 5 apses, and (quite surprisingly for Byzantine architecture) 13 cupolas. It is surrounded by two-tier galleries from three sides. Measuring 37 by 55 meters, the exterior used to be faced with plinths. On the inside, it retains mosaics and frescos from the eleventh century, including a dilapidated representation of Yaroslav's family.
Originally the cathedral was a burial place of the Kievan rulers including Vladimir Monomakh, Vsevolod Yaroslavich and of course the cathedral's founder Yaroslav I the Wise, although only the latter's grave survived to our days 

PIROGOVO – folk architect museum   (photo)
The Museum of Ukrainian Folk Architecture and Family Life is an architecture and landscape complex in the open air, where all historical and ethnographical regions of Ukraine are represented. The museum was established in Pirogovo settlement in the suburbs of Kiev in 1969.
The exhibits of this museum tell the visitors about the architecture of Ukrainian villages, life of peasants and the folk art of Ukrainians. The museum has accumulated a huge collection of folk apparels, furniture, wooden and clay dishes, and one of the best collection of folk musical instruments. The authentic houses, wooden churches and mills dated 16-19 centuries are located on its territory. 

CHERNIGOV city   (photo)
The history of this city counts more than 1,300 years. Chernigov has many ancient churches and cathedrals with the monuments of ancient art and architecture dated back to 11-12 centuries. The central historical part of the city, called "Val" is reach in places of interest. Here you will find shady parks, snow-white churches and golden domes. The beautiful museums and twelve canons that Peter the Great presented to the city.
The principal sights are preserved in the architectural and historical reserve, which contains monuments of the ancient Russian architecture: Piatnitskaya church of XII-XII centuries, Katerininskaya church of XVIII century, Spasso-Preobrazhenskiy Cathedral of XI century and many others, including Borisoglebskiy cathedral dated XII century, Chernigov collegiums -- XVIII, Eletskiy convent (functioning), and Antonievy caves dated back to XVII.

POCHAEV LAVRA   (photo)
It is the eastern orthodox monastery (lavra) in Pochaev (Ternopol region). It is the most sacred eastern orthodox holy place in Volyn and the second-important one after Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in Ukraine.
According to the legend, the monastery was founded by monks of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, who fled from Tatar invasion in 1240. The first records in chronicles about it are dated back to 1527. In 1597, Pochaeva Lavra obtained a wonder-working icon of the Blessed Virgin, which was brought to Ukraine in 1559 by Bulgarian metropolitan – Neophyte. In 1675, Pochaeva Lavra was besieged by Turkish, but then they suddenly left the town. The prosperity of the monastery falls at the second half of XVII century due to the activities of hegumen Iov Zheleza (1602-1651). From 1730 Pochaev printing house was operating, which printed 187 books. This Lavra is rich in murals, sculptures and ornaments.

PIDGIRTSY CASTLE   (photo)
It is a well-preserved palace in the Renaissance style, surrounded by defensive defenses. In the place of the today’s castle there were more ancient fortifications that are dated approximately 1530. To the order of the hetman Stanislav Konetspolskiy, who bought the castle in 1633 from Pidgoretskis, the famous fortification architect -- Guillaume le Vasseur de Beauplan designed the fortifications and Andrea del Aqua — designed the two-storied palace with three-storied pavilions at both sides and a tower in baroque and late renaissance style. The construction was held during 1635—1640. The auxiliary premises formed a square yard with a terrace adapted for possible defense. From three sides the palace was surrounded with a deep graff; from the northern side, looking at the valley, it had a beautiful terrace with balustrade and sculptures. The entrance to the castle was organized through the large arch – portal with two columns. In 1646, the castle was visited by the king Vladislav IV, in whose honor the fireworks were organized.
The unparallel aspect of the architecture ensemble in Pidgirtsy is created by a park, which plants cover the castle, yard and a whole number of other constructions. In ancient times, it was the park that impressed the travelers more than the castle itself.
Pidgirtsy park belongs to the masterpieces of gardening and park art protected now by state. Created according the best designs of the so-called “Italian” parks, it is the best and may be the only one park of such a type in Ukraine.

LVIV city   (photo)
Lviv (Lvov)  is an ancient city (1256) with a long history developed on a crossroad of various cultures. It indeed have many lions (“lvov” – in Russian) thought made from stone. For the past centuries, various cultures left their trails in the history of Lviv: ancient Russian, Polish, Austrian, and Soviet. In addition, it also was influenced by Jewish and Armenian cultures, and, of course – Ukrainian. As you progress to the center of the city you become more and more convinced that you did not come in vain to Lviv. To the city, where the medieval catholic churches neighbor with the ancient Russian temples, and between them are Jewish synagogues and Armenian churches. All this variety makes Lvov a singular place.
The central part of Lvov is proclaimed as a historical and architectural reserve and in 1998 it was included into the list of the world’s cultural heritage of the UNESCO. The national monuments include about 2 thousand historical, architectural and cultural objects. The old city is located in a valley surrounded with 7 hills as well as with numerous parks. 

TRUSKAVETS  - balneological resort   (photo)
Since XIX century Truskavets is famous with its curative springs and numerous rehabilitation centers. This is comfortable and ecologically clean zone in the pre-Carpathian area. The town surprises by the variety of the ground and underground mineral waters from 14 springs: Naftusia, Uzia, Maria, Sophiam Bronislava, etc; deposits of “mountain wax” - ozocerite, which unique world’s deposit is located 4 km from the resort in Borislav town. The competitor to the famous Karlovy Vary salts is Barbara, a Truskavets salt, which is extracted from the highly mineralized salt solution.
Indication: problems with kidneys and digestive system, metabolism disorders (excessive weight, diabetics).

BERDYCHIV    (photo)
The city-monastery, city-fortress, city-anecdote, Volynskiy Jerusalem – all these in certain periods of history may be applied to Berdychiv.
Berdychiv is known since 1320, when this area was presented by the Great Prince Gedinin to the family of Tishkeviches. It is considered that Berdychiv was founded in 1546. At the beginning of XVII, voivode the prince Yanush Tishkevich built a castle in Berdychiv, and some time later, in 1627, a monastery of the catholic begging order of Barefooted Carmelites was founded. At first, they built the underground church with cells, preserved till nowadays, and a hundred and something years later a new – above-the-ground church was built. The further development of Berdychev is connected with the monastery prosperity, which contained the Wonderworking Icon. The monastery had its school, library and printing house. After 1675, when at the consent of the Polish King – Stanislaw August – in Berdychiv they commenced to organize the annual trade-fairs, the town began to get populated and later became a large trading center. Each year, 10 trade-fairs were organized in Berdychiv. They were popular not less than the famous trade-fairs in Leipzig: here came merchants not only from Kiev, Chernigov and Moscow, but also from Prussia, Austria, France, Italy, and other countries.

MEDZHIBOZH   (photo)
The first records about it appeared in Ipatievski chronicles of 1146. Some rests of the ancient settlement dated XI-XIII remained, which evidence that Medzhibozh was a frontier point with good fortifications. From the end of XII century it belonged to Galitsko-Volynsk principality. In 1241, the Golden Horde managed to capture the town. In order to ensure the protection from the enemies the walls were erected and trenches were dug out.
The town preserved the Large Castle dated back to XIV—XVI centuries and the Palace of XVI century on the territory of the castle. The town is considered to be a cradle of Hasid movement in Judaism, as here in 1740-60 lived Israel Baal Shem Tov – the founder of the Hasid movement. Today dozen thousands of people from all over the world come to his grave.

KAMENETS-PODOLSKY    (photo)
The town was established as the ancient Roman outpost. On the European Ptolemaic geographical map (III century B.C.) the area now occupied by Kamenets is marked as the settlement known as Klipedava. The northern border of the Holy Roman Empire passed through this area, and Klipedava was its northern outpost, founded by Dacia tribes at the beginning of our era during Roman-Dacian wars. The foundation and strategic design of the town fortress preserved till nowadays correspond to the ancient Roman principles of the defensive town planning. The sources of potable water named Hun Krynitsi, located in the center of the town, as well as legends about hun roving troops headed by Athilla, also confirm the version about the pre-historic past of Kamenets.
In 12-13 centuries, Kamenets was a large trade center: through it passed the way from Kiev to Balkans, being one of the historical sections of the Great Silk Road. Until now there have been preserved the evidences about existence of camps beneath the fortress for numerous camel caravans traveling from the East and loaded with various goods.
The architectural monuments dated back to ХI-ХIХ century include about 200 buildings and constructions. The heavy-duty defenses of the Old Town (11-12 century), a fortress and fortress bridge, as well as combination of cult constructions of various religions will make an unforgettable impression on the visitors.

KHOTIN   (photo)
This one of the oldest towns in Ukraine, recently, celebrated its 1000-anniversary. At the beginning of XI century Kievan Prince – Vladimir Velikiy (Vladimir The Great) – established a system of frontier fortresses in the west and south of its state, including Khotin. Initially it was a small, wooden fortress built by eastern Slavs in the place of the ancient settlement that protected them from numerous conquerors. Close to it and in parallel there also existed an unfortified settlement. On its territory the archeologists found the semi-dugouts with the stone stoves dated back to IX-X centuries, and at the depth of 1.2-1.4 m they found the occupation layer of VII-VIII centuries.
At the end of XIV century Khotin became part of Moldavian state. The waywode Stephan III the Great considerably expanded the fortress limits. They built stone walls 5 m thick and 40 m high. In the fortress itself they dug out deep cellars for warriors. In XV-XVI centuries Khotin fortress was a residence of the Moldavian masters.
In 1826, Khotin obtained its coat-armour: a silver three-tower citadel in a golden field, accompanied with cross over two crossed swards – a symbol of land protection from enemies.
Presently, this fortress, preserved in an excellent state, produces a tremendous impression. It is now used to shoot a great number of historical movies and documentaries.

YAREMCHE    (photo)
Is one of the most famous climatic resorts of Ukraine, the most wonderful part of our mountains. The town situated in the picturesque valley of the Prut river charms with its beauty. Yaremche is known for its architectural monuments dated XVIII century, however, the most famous showplace is the Guk waterfall, an ideal place for walks and recreation. Yaremche is the mountain-climatic low-mountain resort located at more than 650 m over the sea level.

KOLOMYIA   (photo)
Is a jest of the fore-Carpathians, a symbol of unremembered shrines revival, a cradle of the west-Ukrainian history, a pearl and a soul of Gutsuls land. The most famous museum of Kolomyia is Pisanka Museum (pisanka – is a painted egg, which is specially painted for Easter). The museum was opened in 1987 in Kolomyia-based church of the Saint Annunciation. A new page in the history of the museum commenced from construction of the specialized house, which central part has a shape of pisanka – about 13 m high.

YALTA   (photo)
Yalta was founded by Greeks supposedly in century I. According to the legend, the Greek sailors that lost their way after the storm were wandering for a long time in search of a shore, and at last when they saw the shore (“yalos” – in Greek) they decided to call so their settlement established at the place of their disembarkation. In the middle ages the town was part of Roman (Byzantine) Empire, Feodoro princedom and Genoa colonies and was known under the names of Yalita and Dzhalita. Unlike Alushta and Gurzuf, Yalta never was a fortress or any other important military outpost. From 1475 to 1774, when the southern shore of Crimea was a part of Ottoman Empire, Yalta was a part of Mangup princedom.
Yalta is a resort town, located on the Black Sea coast. Yalta has a Mediterranean climate. The average temperature in July is +24°С, the average temperature in January +4°С. In severe winters when the cold arctic cyclones or Siberian anticyclones come to Yalta, the temperatures may become negative.
Yalta itself is interesting by a unique combination of architectural monuments fitted into the mountain landscape. There are plenty of beautiful (although, sometimes not in a good conditions) buildings dated end-19th – beginning of 20th century. Yalta was a favorite place for recreation of the Russian aristocracy, who came to the Southern coast following the czar family, which established here their estates – Oreanda and Livadia.

LIVADIYSKI PALACE   (photo)
It is located in Livadia township in Yalta area of the Crimea 2 km from Yalta. The architect is Nicolai Krasnov. In 1835, a small Crimean-Tatars village was renamed to Levadia (in Greek mythology – entrance to paradise) and a magnificent palace from white stone was built and a landscape park was established. In 1861, Livadiyski palace became a summer residence of the emperor Alexander II and his royal family. In 1894, Alexander III died in Levadia. In February 1945, Livada hosted a Yalta Conference of three heads of anti-Hitler coalition.
The Livadiyski palace ensemble, in addition to the Large palace, also includes: Svitski (Page) building, the palace of the court minister – baron Frederic, which were constructed together with the palace, and the church of Fair Cross Erection, built in 1872. Presently, Livadia Sanatorium is located on the territory of Livadiyski palace, as well as one of the best parks (40 hectares) of the Southern coast of the Crimea, which was founded almost 150 years ago.

VORONTSOVSKI PALACE   (photo)
It was built according to the new (as compared with the classicism) architectural and building principles. An important architectural feature became its orientation in line with the mountains profile, due to which the palace became an integral part of the surrounding landscape and acquired its original artistically impressive image.
The palace was built following the English traditions in architecture. However, it contains elements of various ages: from earlier forms to XVI century. The elements are located starting from the western gates – the further from the gates – the later style has a construction.
The English style is organically combined with the oriental features, e.g. chimneys look like minarets. The southern entrance is decorated with oriental pomp: the U-shape arch, two-tier fornication, alabaster workings in niches.
The palace was constructed according to the design of the English architect – Edward Blor.
Vorontsovski palace has a park – a monument of gardening and park-building art. From December 1824 to April 1851, Vorontsovski park in Alupka was created by a talented German gardener and botanist – Carl Kebakh

SWALLOW’S NEST PALACE   (photo)
This monument of architecture and history is located on Aurora cliff (40 meters high) of Ai-Todor cape in the village of Gaspra (Yalta area, the Crimea).
The building looks like the medieval castle, reminding of Belem tower or Miramare villa near Trieste at the same time. Swallow’s Nest palace became a kind of emblem of the Southern coast of the Crimea.
It present aspect the Swallow’s Nest palace acquired due to the oil magnate – baron Steingel. While his oil business was in Baku, he preferred to have a rest in the Crimea. He purchased a land parcel on Aurora cliff and decided to build a romantic castle that would remind him about the medieval construction on the riversides of the Rhine. He ordered the design of his new house to the engineer and sculptor – Leonid Sherwood, son of Vladimir Sherwood who was the author of the Historical Museum on the Red Square in Moscow. In 1912, the original gothic castle appeared on the site of Limen-Burun. The stair-step composition conceived by the architect was stipulated by the small area of the land parcel. The 12 meter high building was based on the foundation of 10 m wide and 20 m long. The interior also corresponded to the size of the “bird”: lobby, parlor, staircase and two bedrooms were consecutively arranged in the two-story tower that raised above the cliff.

SEBASTOPOL (Sevastopol)  (photo)
Was founded in 1783, after the Crimea was conquered by the Russian Empire, as a fortress and later – as a port. Today, Sebastopol is the largest ice-free sea, commercial, and fishing port, as well as scientific and technical, recreational and cultural-historical center of the Crimea.
The coat nearby Sebastopol is unique for the Crimea due to its numerous (more than 30) convenient and well-protected ice-free bays. The snaky shores of the longest bay – Sebastopolskaya –go deep into the peninsula for more than 8 km. The cliffy capes are the natural citadels. Sebastopolskaya bay is one of the most convenient ones in the world.

CHERSONESE    (photo)
Used to be a colony established in 422-421 years B.C. by the colonists from Heraclea Pontica, located on the Asia Minor coast of the Black Sea.
Chersonese state was a slave-owning republic with democratic form of ruling. The supreme authority was a meeting of all male citizens who reached their full age. The peoples’ meeting adopted laws and addressed the most important issues. The routing life of the town was managed by the elected council and collegiums that supervised all the activities of the town residents. Apparently, the council members were elected for a month and its secretary – for a year. Thus, after the so-called czar the year was named and dated. From the ancient high position of the czar there remained honorable, but only formal religious functions. To command the troops a collegium of strategists was elected, later they were replaced by archons.
The Rome protectorate facilitated the economic development in I—III centuries. The citizens actively reinforced the walls and towers of the town, built thermae, reconstructed a theatre, and build several aqueducts. Chersonese carried out an active trade with the large trade and production centers of the Black and Mediterranean Seas, and first of all, with their traditional partners on the southern coast of Pontus – Heraclea, Sinopae, Amis, and Amastrea. In Chersonese they periodically resumed minting of the golden coins. The traditionally imported goods also included fine glass and bronze vessels, various red-varnish ceramics, spices and frankincense. The town in large quantities exported agricultural produces, skins, salted and dried fish, and fish sauces. That time, fishing became an independent sector of the town economy. During excavations the archeologists found about hundred of tanks for fish salting, the capacity of some of which reached 30 — 40 tonnes.
By mid-XV century the life in the town finally died away. With the time, the earth buried the ruins of a large and beautiful town that it had been before.

ODESSA  (photo)
Although the people started to settle in Odessa in the ancient times, the city began its rapid development only at the end of XVII century, after annexing of the Black Sea territories to Russia as a result of the Russian-Turkish wars.
Odessa was developing at a such accelerated pace that just in one century it transformed from the small settlement into the fourth-largest city of the Russian Empire (after St. Petersburg, Moscow and Warsaw).
Odessa is mainly represented by the architecture of ХIХ-ХХ centuries: classicism, modern, baroque, post-modernism, and modern techno-architecture styles.
Odessa is the larges seaport of Ukraine.
Its climate is temperately continental and relatively dry. The number of solar days per year exceeds 290.
You will see the most beautiful places and monuments. The magnificent constructions, well tought-out design and gentle sea created for Odessa a reputation of the marvelous city. During excursions you will visit the historical places of the city; visit a beautiful T. Shevchenko park with an old fortress wall; you will see and be able to trod the cozy streets: Pushkinskaya, Richelievskaya, Lanzheronovskaya, and of course the beloved by all citizens – Deribassovskaya street – a unique historical and architectural monument. You will have an opportunity to see the architectural masterpiece – the Opera and Ballet Theater, as well as the historical buildings, where the city museums are situated: Art Museum, Archeological Museum, Marine Museum, etc. You will walk through Primorskiy boulevard, being beautiful any time of the season, where the city Duma is located as well as count Vorontsov palace, monument to Duke de Richelieu. You will be captured by the panorama viewing sea terminal, port and sea. We shall also present to you the famous Potemkinskaya staircase.

VILKOVO   (photo)
The town was founded in 1746 and is also known as the "Ukrainian Venice" due to its numerous canals dug out along the street. For some period of time (till 1960) a boat was more accustomed mean of transportation than a motorcar. The canals system is arranged as follows: the channels by bending and axial network connect the two arms of Danube river. A channel shut-off results in draining of all other connecting channels. Presently, you can only run by boat across the town only in its "old" part.

NIKITSKY botanic garden   (photo)
Nikitskiy botanic garden is located 6 km from Yalta and is a green treasury of Ukraine and of the whole Europe. This year Nikitskiy botanic garden will celebrate its 195th anniversary. The garden appeared as a result of attempt undertaken by prince Potemkin to create the European-style botanic gardens in Alupka and Foros areas. To this end, they bought a large lot of plants and seeds from Constantinople, Smyrna and Prince Islands. Among the imported plants there were the Italian stone pines, Judas-trees, olives, cypress, laurel, planes, rhododendrons, etc.
Presently, there are approximately 30,000 families, kinds and hybrids of plants in this garden.
The plants collection include gorgeous set of cactuses, bamboo, roses, firs, cypress, fig trees, date-plums and many-many others flowers, bushes and trees.