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By Olexandr Motsya and Denys Pogorelov
Starokyivski Visti
Kyiv, Ukraine
December, 2001
Translated and edited by ArtUkraine.com
| People settled themselves on the benches of the Dnipro - Slavuta ( old name ) about twenty thousand years ago. But the city itself, in its scientific meaning, appeared much later - about 1500 yars ago. The first Slavic settlement was built on Starokyivs'ka hill, where the National historical museum is located now.
The first step in city's history was appearing of powerful and well known in many countries state - Kyiv Rus ( as you see the name itself tells about the significance of Kyiv at that time ). Its capital was growing and developing very quickly. Already under the rule of one of the most glorious princes Volodymyr, the central part of the young city became several times bigger and its fortification line was built at the cross-road of modern Volodymyrs'ka and Velyka Zhytomyrs'ka streets.
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The St. Sophia at the heart of ancient city
ArtUkraine.com Photo
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It was in this place, besides prince's palaces and noblemen residences, the main pagan holy place of Perun and other pagan gods was located. Here Rus people made sacrifices, signed international agreements, prayed about victory over enemies. Later, after adopting Orthodox Christianity, the Desyatynna church was built here - the first brick temple of Kyiv Rus. The last defenders of the city were seeking protection behind its walls at the time of great disaster - the attack of mongole and tatar horde of khan Baty in the fall of 1240.
Under the rule of the prince Yaroslav, the Wise the city was quickly growing and developing. He founded "great Kyiv". Economic and military power of the state allowed to increase seven times the territory of the central part of the city. The fortification lines were impressive - 16 meters height and 27 meters wide. The memory about them remained in the name of the street - Yaroslaviv Val ( wall of Yaroslav). Three new gates appeared: southern Golden ( not far from the cross-road of Prorizna and Volodymyrs'ka streets ). It was the central, official entrance to the city, eastern Lyads'ki ( at the place of modern Maidan Nezalezhnosti ), and western Zhydivs'ki ( at the place of modern Lvivska square ). None of the ancient cities in all Eastern Europe had fortification line like this!
Behind its walls there were new prince's and noblemen residences, common people houses, churches. Among the others the special place was given to St. Sophia - residence of Kyiv patriarch during several centuries. Kyiv Sophia was spiritual center of all eastern Slavic people, the center of political and cultural life of the country. Here the bishops gatherings were held, new princes were crowned, foreign ambassadors were received, prayers in honor of victory over enemies were given, famous princes were buried ( including Yaroslav, the Wise himself).
Later, construction work was started on Myhailvs'ka hill- now Volodymyrs'ka hill. Among the buildings of middle-aged Kyiv, Mykhailivs'kiy cathedral is the most significant. Its name comes from the name of the main tower. It was here, that for the first time in Rus they started to cover towers of churches with gold. Now Citizens of Kyiv and guests can see a beautiful architecture ansemble which was rebuilt only in the period of independence of our state.
Behind Zhydivs'ki gate ( the name was most probably given because Jewish community lived here ) there was another fortified territory known as Kopyriv kinets'. It included modern Observatorna street and the territory of Arts Academy. Archeological researches prove that mostly craftsmen lived here.
Of course, the main commercial area was Podil, religious center was Pechersk - Lavra, also around the city were located residences of prince's family and noblemen.
But the cradle of Kyiv, its political, administrative, religious, economic and military center was the territory of Starokyivs'ka hill with its National historical museum......
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The newly rebuilt Mykhailivsky Cathedral on a Christmas day
ArtUkraine.com Photo
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Starokyivski Visti
Kyiv, Ukraine
www.kreschatic.kiev.ua/sv
Translated and edited by ArtUkraine.com
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