![Kiev, the Ukraine cover page.](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/73/691773/3/65595843.EmC2gq9h.jpg) Kiev, the Ukraine cover page. |
![Map of the Ukraine with a star indicating Kiev's location.](https://a4.pbase.com/o4/73/691773/1/65595844.fcg9rjEd.wgukraine3616400x300.gif) Map of the Ukraine with a star indicating Kiev's location. |
![Ukraina (Glory to Ukraine) on Ploshcha Nezalezhnist (Independence Square).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132832469.X0LOzsOv.jpg) Ukraina (Glory to Ukraine) on Ploshcha Nezalezhnist (Independence Square). |
![Hotel Kozatsky (where I stayed) is located in the very center of Kiev on Independence Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809168.24pRpHwj.jpg) Hotel Kozatsky (where I stayed) is located in the very center of Kiev on Independence Square. |
![View from Independence Square with the Hotel Kozatsky in the background in the center.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809317.He3Te6qC.jpg) View from Independence Square with the Hotel Kozatsky in the background in the center. |
![More views from Independence Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809169.1CxfVMK2.jpg) More views from Independence Square. |
![Treachery Gate in Independence Square & statue of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Kiev.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809311.FRiRjtSI.jpg) Treachery Gate in Independence Square & statue of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Kiev. |
![Close-up of the statue of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Kiev.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809312.TbgmsXmz.jpg) Close-up of the statue of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Kiev. |
![A fountain in Independence Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809315.17gLbGNM.jpg) A fountain in Independence Square. |
![Soviet-era looking building off of Independence Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809318.5JRC8GDS.jpg) Soviet-era looking building off of Independence Square. |
![People hanging out in Independence Square](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809314.WZMMc0sS.jpg) People hanging out in Independence Square |
![Ukrainia monument by Anatoly Kushch (2001) for the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809319.E1aw9bs6.jpg) Ukrainia monument by Anatoly Kushch (2001) for the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. |
![Close-up of the Ukrainia monument as seen from Independence](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809320.UimN6KqO.jpg) Close-up of the Ukrainia monument as seen from Independence |
![Prominent collinade building off of Independence Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809321.s7ka96L3.jpg) Prominent collinade building off of Independence Square. |
![Fountain and monument at Independence Square of the mythical founders of Kiev.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809323.umcS6NVY.jpg) Fountain and monument at Independence Square of the mythical founders of Kiev. |
![Another view of the mythical founders monument.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809324.DKaX6laS.jpg) Another view of the mythical founders monument. |
![Bessarabka (flower) Market on Khreshatik Avenue. It is an example of Ukranian Art Nouveau.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809326.3ZLcCT4m.jpg) Bessarabka (flower) Market on Khreshatik Avenue. It is an example of Ukranian Art Nouveau. |
![More of Khreshatik Avenue. A couple unsuccessfully tried to pickpocket me there.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809327.QzSbdh7w.jpg) More of Khreshatik Avenue. A couple unsuccessfully tried to pickpocket me there. |
![Bogdan Khmelnitsky memorial (located in Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square) by sculptor M. O. Mike](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809328.7xVugT20.jpg) Bogdan Khmelnitsky memorial (located in Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square) by sculptor M. O. Mike |
![Bogdan Khmelnitsky headed Cossack-peasant uprisings against the oppression of the Polish masses.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809329.ihyaDahR.jpg) Bogdan Khmelnitsky headed Cossack-peasant uprisings against the oppression of the Polish masses. |
![Another view of the statue in Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809924.mgqlmWcj.jpg) Another view of the statue in Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square. |
![People strolling in Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809332.TDfBJYxi.jpg) People strolling in Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square. |
![A view of a beautiful building off of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809331.4kyQTdtt.jpg) A view of a beautiful building off of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square. |
![View of Bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral as seen in from Boghdan Khmelnitsky Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809913.meXIUGhX.jpg) View of Bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral as seen in from Boghdan Khmelnitsky Square. |
![Bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809916.ZHRDsTDB.jpg) Bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral. |
![Closer view of the bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809920.kA0cdnZK.jpg) Closer view of the bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral. |
![People strolling in front of the bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809334.8NhR8hX4.jpg) People strolling in front of the bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral. |
![View of more strollers.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809333.tfuuaomt.jpg) View of more strollers. |
![Frontal view of the bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825643.4EzFAkeP.jpg) Frontal view of the bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral. |
![View of Saint Sophia Cathedral which you get to by entering through the bell tower.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809335.hWaCOk1R.jpg) View of Saint Sophia Cathedral which you get to by entering through the bell tower. |
![Sign showing the plan of Saint Sophia Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809336.ZUWIINlj.jpg) Sign showing the plan of Saint Sophia Cathedral. |
![View of 12th century St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral walking from Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809434.pEivsZeC.jpg) View of 12th century St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral walking from Bogdan Khmelnitsky Square. |
![Getting closer to St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809435.XAmCimmE.jpg) Getting closer to St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral. |
![Ukrainian President's Administration Blg. next to St. Michaels Golden Domes Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809440.EbrD3lrl.jpg) Ukrainian President's Administration Blg. next to St. Michaels Golden Domes Cathedral. |
![Sculptures of the Holy Ancestors in front of a jeans billboard (near St. Michaels Cathedral).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809436.WLPj36Nf.jpg) Sculptures of the "Holy Ancestors" in front of a jeans billboard (near St. Michaels Cathedral). |
![Close-up of one of the Holy Ancestors.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809437.TxUZyMfs.jpg) Close-up of one of the "Holy Ancestors." |
![Two more Holy Ancestors.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809438.oLzcwXo2.jpg) Two more "Holy Ancestors." |
![Great juxtaposition of Holy Ancestor next to the skateboarding kid in the jeans billboard!](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825644.HkcEXTD4.jpg) Great juxtaposition of "Holy Ancestor" next to the skateboarding kid in the jeans billboard! |
![Balloon vendor in the square in front of St. Michaels Cathedral (note the jeans billboard).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809441.Qd7sdXgK.jpg) Balloon vendor in the square in front of St. Michaels Cathedral (note the jeans billboard). |
![View of the St. Michael's clock tower and Golden Domes (to the right of it).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809912.UTPF2ihf.jpg) View of the St. Michael's clock tower and Golden Domes (to the right of it). |
![Moving in closer on St. Michael's clock tower.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825659.dPBWLSFH.jpg) Moving in closer on St. Michael's clock tower. |
![Side view of the top of the St. Michael's clock tower.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809910.9ZqI9y8t.jpg) Side view of the top of the St. Michael's clock tower. |
![Frontal view of the top of the St. Michael's clock tower.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825646.MQWEHWJt.jpg) Frontal view of the top of the St. Michael's clock tower. |
![Religious mural seen before entering the grounds of St. Michaels Golden Domes Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825645.oXFvrdGS.jpg) Religious mural seen before entering the grounds of St. Michaels Golden Domes Cathedral. |
![Upper façade of St. Michaels Golden Domes Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809443.IwwPRFuF.jpg) Upper façade of St. Michaels Golden Domes Cathedral. |
![Side view of the cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809445.1yYWauaK.jpg) Side view of the cathedral. |
![Another one of many photos that I took of St. Michaels.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809446.5RHrwGog.jpg) Another one of many photos that I took of St. Michaels. |
![Top view of the façade of St. Michaels (I couldn't get it all in with this camera lense).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809447.0vioIy4m.jpg) Top view of the façade of St. Michaels (I couldn't get it all in with this camera lense). |
![Middle view of the façade of St. Michaels Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809448.bSff7pUU.jpg) Middle view of the façade of St. Michaels Cathedral. |
![Bottom view of the façade of St. Michaels Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809449.3VbTVA53.jpg) Bottom view of the façade of St. Michaels Cathedral. |
![Later that day, I came back with a wide-angle lense to get all of St. Michaels Cathedral!](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809908.UwhS97sU.jpg) Later that day, I came back with a wide-angle lense to get all of St. Michaels Cathedral! |
![Another wide-angle shot (it looks kind of curved and distorted)!](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809911.b1olkBXG.jpg) Another wide-angle shot (it looks kind of curved and distorted)! |
![A wide-angle vertical shot of St. Michaels Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809909.youqQjUr.jpg) A wide-angle vertical shot of St. Michaels Cathedral. |
![View of the very top tower of St. Michaels Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809450.M5Ef8dsi.jpg) View of the very top tower of St. Michaels Cathedral. |
![Canopy next to St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809451.IbL9oT1I.jpg) Canopy next to St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral. |
![Nice shot of flowering salmon-colored plants in front of the blue house.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809452.6U0bWGEf.jpg) Nice shot of flowering salmon-colored plants in front of the blue house. |
![View of Peoples' Friendship Monument commemorating the of Reunion of Ukraine and Russia.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825647.aVpNospO.jpg) View of "Peoples' Friendship Monument" commemorating the of "Reunion" of Ukraine and Russia. |
![Heroic looking sculpture near the Peoples' Friendship Monument.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809453.Caukk7YV.jpg) Heroic looking sculpture near the Peoples' Friendship Monument. |
![Another impressive monument near the Peoples' Friendship Monument.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825648.2VSPHeJj.jpg) Another impressive monument near the Peoples' Friendship Monument. |
![An interesting angle of the sculpture next to Peoples' Friendship Monument.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809456.IjbHqWcb.jpg) An interesting angle of the sculpture next to Peoples' Friendship Monument. |
![Looking at Peoples' Friendship Monument from a hill with the Dnieper River in the background.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825649.MearFThp.jpg) Looking at Peoples' Friendship Monument from a hill with the Dnieper River in the background. |
![Nice building that I saw off a park on a walking tour that I took and got lost!](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809497.KXwvABUO.jpg) Nice building that I saw off a park on a walking tour that I took and got lost! |
![Close-up of the previous building. It was at the top of some stairs.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809498.4mhDX8jN.jpg) Close-up of the previous building. It was at the top of some stairs. |
![Typical Soviet era Stalinist-style building that resembles others that I have seen in E. Europe.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809499.S9lVVVjl.jpg) Typical Soviet era "Stalinist-style" building that resembles others that I have seen in E. Europe. |
![Someone told me that this building is now an apartment building.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809325.z2oYJJq0.jpg) Someone told me that this building is now an apartment building. |
![Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral (1862-1882) as seen from across the street through the trees.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809500.4ISh2yx0.jpg) Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral (1862-1882) as seen from across the street through the trees. |
![Close-up of Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral (a lot of people were there because it was Sunday morning).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809501.jxNUeT20.jpg) Close-up of Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral (a lot of people were there because it was Sunday morning). |
![Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral is located across from the Kiev Botanical Gardens.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809502.SFgUOj63.jpg) Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral is located across from the Kiev Botanical Gardens. |
![Entrance to the Kiev Botanical Gardens. Everyone was out on a beautiful Sunday morning.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809504.CFXGKIJk.jpg) Entrance to the Kiev Botanical Gardens. Everyone was out on a beautiful Sunday morning. |
![View of a modern sculpture in the Kiev Botanical Gardens.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809505.CpeYghef.jpg) View of a modern sculpture in the Kiev Botanical Gardens. |
![A building located in the Kiev Botanical Gardens.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809506.yhBKQK1p.jpg) A building located in the Kiev Botanical Gardens. |
![The main Red Building of the National University named after Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825650.m73AP4pk.jpg) The main "Red Building" of the National University named after Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861). |
![Another view of the Red Building from the park across the street.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809510.CSfyJJQA.jpg) Another view of the "Red Building" from the park across the street. |
![Monument to Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861) who was Ukraine’s national poet and a famous artist.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809508.AUfgGPKG.jpg) Monument to Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861) who was Ukraine’s national poet and a famous artist. |
![View with flowers of the monument located in a park across from the Red Building.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809511.v6UVo3NI.jpg) View with flowers of the monument located in a park across from the "Red Building." |
![Close-up of Taras Shevchenko.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825651.hgYDCTqo.jpg) Close-up of Taras Shevchenko. |
![Nice lamp post in the park!](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809514.GM12tDt3.jpg) Nice lamp post in the park! |
![A little boy in the park riding a horse with a pony following.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809515.kv6yzsVM.jpg) A little boy in the park riding a horse with a pony following. |
![Monument to Mykhailo Grushevskyj in front of Teacher's House. He was Ukraine's first president.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825652.ExrBwjeN.jpg) Monument to Mykhailo Grushevskyj in front of Teacher's House. He was Ukraine's first president. |
![View of the former Pedagogic Museum (built between 1909-1913).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825653.FIpssppY.jpg) View of the former Pedagogic Museum (built between 1909-1913). |
![View of the Taras Shevchenko Opera & Ballet House built by Victor Shreter & Vladimir Nikolai.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809518.UpyLrtTW.jpg) View of the Taras Shevchenko Opera & Ballet House built by Victor Shreter & Vladimir Nikolai. |
![Another view of the Taras Shevchenko Opera and Ballet House.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809519.VajGZBkh.jpg) Another view of the Taras Shevchenko Opera and Ballet House. |
![A beautiful building on Volodymyrska Street.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809520.QzIgqE7A.jpg) A beautiful building on Volodymyrska Street. |
![View of the ornate building at 39 Volodymyrska Street (built 1900-1901).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809521.8RjDZbdp.jpg) View of the ornate building at 39 Volodymyrska Street (built 1900-1901). |
![Another nice building near Volodymyrska Street around the corner from the Golden Gate.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809846.9cQlfH3e.jpg) Another nice building near Volodymyrska Street around the corner from the "Golden Gate." |
![The Golden Gate, (11th Century) was the main ceremonial entrance to ancient Kiev.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809843.DQGO0BO1.jpg) The "Golden Gate," (11th Century) was the main ceremonial entrance to ancient Kiev. |
![Close-up of the Golden Gate.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825654.Mld8YMHt.jpg) Close-up of the Golden Gate. |
![Statue of Yaroslav the Wise next to the Golden Gate was a great prince at the time it was built.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825655.bmN1i2E4.jpg) Statue of Yaroslav the Wise next to the Golden Gate was a great prince at the time it was built. |
![Close-up of the sculpture of Yaroslav the Wise. He is holding a model of Saint Sofia Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809852.PqFgILKs.jpg) Close-up of the sculpture of Yaroslav the Wise. He is holding a model of Saint Sofia Cathedral. |
![St. Andrews Descent is the Montmartre of Kiev, where artists display their talents.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809853.3BkUjWNS.jpg) St. Andrews Descent is the Montmartre of Kiev, where artists display their talents. |
![Another shot of artists and potential buyers at St. Andrew's Descent.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809854.B1mNPLvI.jpg) Another shot of artists and potential buyers at St. Andrew's Descent. |
![St. Andrew's Descent's wide range of painting styles on display.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809861.faL2hzbv.jpg) St. Andrew's Descent's wide range of painting styles on display. |
![View of St. Andrew's Church which was built by B.B. Rastreli (1747-1753).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809855.F4cdEXrI.jpg) View of St. Andrew's Church which was built by B.B. Rastreli (1747-1753). |
![In my opinion, St. Andrews is Kiev's most beautiful cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809856.KNryh1b8.jpg) In my opinion, St. Andrews is Kiev's most beautiful cathedral. |
![View of the top of the cathedral (again, I couldn't get it all without my wide-angle lense).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809858.PuTLd7Ko.jpg) View of the top of the cathedral (again, I couldn't get it all without my wide-angle lense). |
![View of the middle of St. Andrews Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809859.nXQE6b9H.jpg) View of the middle of St. Andrews Cathedral. |
![View of the bottom of St. Andrews Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809860.W74Ig8yR.jpg) View of the bottom of St. Andrews Cathedral. |
![A continuation (of lower part) of St. Andrew's Descent. The street is called Andreevsky Street.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809857.hPp0sFTz.jpg) A continuation (of lower part) of St. Andrew's Descent. The street is called Andreevsky Street. |
![View of Zamok Richarda (Richard's Castle) on St. Andrew's Descent.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809862.KANX8VaB.jpg) View of Zamok Richarda (Richard's Castle) on St. Andrew's Descent. |
![An impressive monument after completing St. Andrew's Descent (I don't know who this is of).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825656.zwVbOeIs.jpg) An impressive monument after completing St. Andrew's Descent (I don't know who this is of). |
![Main entrance called the Golden Gate to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (a huge monastery complex).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809864.bghmYzTk.jpg) Main entrance called the "Golden Gate" to the "Kiev-Pechersk Lavra" (a huge monastery complex). |
![The Great Belfry (1731-44) bell tower of the Pechersk Lavra Monastery.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809865.XXPkGlsP.jpg) The Great Belfry (1731-44) bell tower of the Pechersk Lavra Monastery. |
![After entering the Holy Gate, the path leads to the bell tower and to the Dormition Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809866.DhhciGgj.jpg) After entering the Holy Gate, the path leads to the bell tower and to the Dormition Cathedral. |
![Upper Lavra yard as you enter through the Holy Gate of the Pechersk Lavra Monastery.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809867.F0E0SUQs.jpg) Upper Lavra yard as you enter through the Holy Gate of the Pechersk Lavra Monastery. |
![The Lavra (with over 80 bldgs.) was founded by monks in 1051 & was a center of enlightenment.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809868.bG9EUu8s.jpg) The Lavra (with over 80 bldgs.) was founded by monks in 1051 & was a center of enlightenment. |
![Me (with a sunburn on my neck) in front of the rebuilt Dormition Cathedral at the Pechersk.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809869.vxPCMsFM.jpg) Me (with a sunburn on my neck) in front of the rebuilt Dormition Cathedral at the Pechersk. |
![The Dormition Cathedral at the Pechersk Lavra Monastery (it was rebuilt in 2000).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809890.EPIqTAWp.jpg) The Dormition Cathedral at the Pechersk Lavra Monastery (it was rebuilt in 2000). |
![View looking back at the Golden Gate from inside of the Lavra.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809891.1N6g1AcX.jpg) View looking back at the Golden Gate from inside of the Lavra. |
![A closer shot of the Golden Gate from inside of the Lavra.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809892.aeTKXKdW.jpg) A closer shot of the Golden Gate from inside of the Lavra. |
![A close-up shot of the Golden Gate from inside of the Lavra.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809889.AhbTUhsU.jpg) A close-up shot of the Golden Gate from inside of the Lavra. |
![Another view of the Dormition Cathedral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809893.XT1vTghk.jpg) Another view of the Dormition Cathedral. |
![View of the Dormition Cathedral and another building to its right.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809895.A1uupqnv.jpg) View of the Dormition Cathedral and another building to its right. |
![View in the distance from the Lavra of the WW II Monument to the Motherland.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825657.oqCL6f3A.jpg) View in the distance from the Lavra of the WW II Monument to the Motherland. |
![Pechersk Lower Lavra Monastery (site of many caves). Lavra means caves in Ukrainian.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132825658.Ro9Oithb.jpg) Pechersk Lower Lavra Monastery (site of many caves). "Lavra" means "caves" in Ukrainian. |
![The Lower Lavra has extensive caves which were used as catacombs.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809898.0ZKDv3Nj.jpg) The Lower Lavra has extensive caves which were used as catacombs. |
![View of the Uspensky Cathedral in the Lavra.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809899.CPu1E00N.jpg) View of the Uspensky Cathedral in the Lavra. |
![More views from the Lower Lavra.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809900.CzymwgxJ.jpg) More views from the Lower Lavra. |
![View from the Lower Lavra of the Refectory Church of St. Anthony and Theodosius.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809901.dvr7zZVg.jpg) View from the Lower Lavra of the Refectory Church of St. Anthony and Theodosius. |
![People walking down Khreshatik Avenue. It was closed to traffic for the Europe Day holiday.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809902.V2G7Jv0L.jpg) People walking down Khreshatik Avenue. It was closed to traffic for the "Europe Day" holiday. |
![People milling around Independence Square celebrating the Europe Day holiday weekend.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809903.HqAbrdl4.jpg) People milling around Independence Square celebrating the Europe Day holiday weekend. |
![Europe Day holiday activity around Independence Square near the Hotel Kozatsky (where I stayed).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809906.zzZDJ2D0.jpg) Europe Day holiday activity around Independence Square near the Hotel Kozatsky (where I stayed). |
![A huge crowd of people were outside (near my hotel) for a Europe Day music concert.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/132809905.SIGKLZ8p.jpg) A huge crowd of people were outside (near my hotel) for a Europe Day music concert. |