Согоян Тигран. The History of the One Street

I would like to tell you about my trip to amazing place.  This place unites whole Ukrainian coloring and I can say that this is fantastic! Each region has its specific differences. Lots of poets, artists, musicians lived there and devoted their lives to develop it.

Andrew’s Descent is the most beautiful attraction of Ukraine. It concentrates all our differences from other nationalities. It is not only historical centre today. Andrew's Descent – is unusual old Street of Kyiv, which is a center of craftsmen, art and antique dealers. It is also centre for famous artists, musicians. You will have never feel bored there, because there are lots of historical buildings, art-galleries, cafes, observation decks and lots of interesting people.

Andrew's Descent has interesting story. “The Tale of Bygone Years” which was written by Nestor the Chronicler in XI century says the next:  The area of Dnieper’s hills was blessed by Priest Andrew First-Called. This person had also predicted that, this place will be the biggest centre of Slovenian Culture. After many years, Kyiv has developed in all spheres of life. People built churches, started to educate each other. Spread the borders and develop their cultural values. The big part of history of Kiev Andrew’s Descent was just a “bridge” between two opposite sides of city – poor and rich. People come from Podol to Old Central Kiev through the Descent and Castle’s Hills. But now it is not only a connection it is also one of the most picturesque routes in the world.

Government started to develop Andrew’s descent during the last 30 years. In the last decade of XX century Kiev’s mayor decided to make a special paving stone and lighters from both sides of the road. Now it looks like little Italian street where you can take pictures and drink coffee with cookies. Each building of the street is more than 100 years, so you are located in an atmosphere of 18th century.

The first attraction I saw was an “Andrew’s Church”.  It is located on the hill, so it provides beauteous observation deck and when we come on it, we can observe panorama of the capital. It was built by order of Empress Elizabeth in 1749-1754 years and named in honor of Andrew First-Called because he had blessed that place. The building was made by Bartholomeo Rastrelli in Italy’s Baroque style. Everything of the monument is made in a strange and extraordinary style. Windows and doors are with a special pattern. It is a 2 storey church. It has 4 steeples, which has 4 domes in it. The main Cupola is the highest and covered with gold. It has stained-glass windows. This church was filmed in the comedy “For the two hares”. If we go down the descent we will find an art exhibition, which is located under the Andrew’s Church. It lasts for 700 meters towards the church. Artists draw landscapes, still lifes, landscapes of nature, Kyiv and European countries, animals and portraits there. There are many talented people who can impress the world from the other side. You can find different types of art from cubism to surrealism. Moreover, the whole street is full of Art shops and galleries. Also there is an old antique shop which is located in front of the church. There I have found different ancient maps of cities, watches, dishes, coins, furniture and so on. I have never felt so nervous, because the ages of some items are more than 150 years!

Descent is really winding, so when you go up or down the street you are presented by the new scenery. Furthermore, there are two observations desks. The first is related to the Castle’s Mountain. It was reconstructed in 1994 and attracts lots of tourists every year. It located from the left side of the road on the hill. So if you want to go there You will have to pass hundreds of stairs but it is worth it. When you come there, you can see a panorama of Central Part of Kiev with an Andrew’s Church, If you look on the other side, you will see forests with a Pecherska Lavra. There are lots of new houses under the hill which are made in Italian and Polish styles. Everything of it looks wonderfully and you want to be there for a long time before the sunset. This deck looks amazing in any season, because of beauty of nature’s colors and ancient buildings.

Street Art is also popular in Descent. There is a bright picture of Ukrainian Girl which is located under the deck.  It is covered the whole Building. It is about 15 meters high. It represents coloring of Ukrainian Culture.  This girl is carrying a boy, and I think that it is a symbol of new opportunities for our generation. We do not have to live in the world we have, we also have to change it to the better.

The last attraction I saw was a Richard’s Castle. It is made as an English ancient Castle in Medieval Neo-Gothic Style. It was built in 1904 and has really mysterious story. For the first time it was planned to be an offices for a rent, but the owner of the building Dmitriy Orlov was killed, Castle was sold to another person by his wife. During the next years it was a community house, but with a mysterious creatures. People thought that there live lots of ghosts, so they went out and castle was sold again. During the next 10 years it was used by Artists. Fotiy Krasitsckyi, Ivan Makushenko used that space as a workshop and Art gallery. The next owners were USSR’s government they had made an apartment from it, and only after collapse of Soviet Union, Ukrainian government reconstructed it and started to use it as a Kyiv’s Attraction.

 It takes only 1 hour to pass Andrew’s Descent, but also it takes lots of positive emotions and memories which will remain in your heart forever. When I have free time I always go there and always get new feelings about this place, because of its uniqueness and solenes.

Согоян Тигран,

Киев / Крым