Andriivskyi Descent

The most romantic place in Kyiv, this narrow road slopes down from the Andriivska and Zamkova hills to where it levels off in the Podil district.

The district, which dates to the times of Kyivan Rus, is now the center of Kyiv's cultural life. The buildings that went up there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the overall bohemian atmosphere give a unique charm to the place. Each building is a piece of art in itself. There are painters' studios, theaters, museums, exhibition halls, galleries and souvenir shops. Those working in these establishments are as colorful as the buildings themselves.

Tourists often say this street reminds them of the Montmartre hills. Andriivskyi Descent may be more vibrant, however. When the weather is good, artists place their works right in the street. You can find everything here - from modern paintings to a Cossack's hat (papakha) from the Russian civil war of 1918.

The centerpiece of Andriivskyi Descent is St. Andrew's Church. It is one of the best examples in the country of Ukrainian baroque architecture. Empress Elizabeth Petrovna ordered it built in the 18th century. The famed architect Rastrelli designed it; Michurin built it on site.

The other impressive building in the area is the Castle of Richard the Lionheart. The structure actually has nothing to do with Richard the First of England. It was built in the early 20th century (1902-1904). But it does look like a real Western medieval castle.

Another popular place in the area is 13 Andriivskyi Descent, the house of the famous Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov, author of the well-known "The Master and Margarita."