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Kiev
(Kyiv) Squares.
The splendid panoramic view of Old Kiev appears
from the upper floors of the buildings that form the westside enclosure of the
Square. You will see the Domes of Sofia
Cathedral, Andriyvs'ka Church, City Parliament and many other spectacular
buildings.
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Many shops, hotels and cafes are situated
both on the street level as well as underground
at Independence square. There are two metro stations, Khreschatik and Maidan Nezalezhnosti,
nearby.
One of the fountains of the square is decorated
with statues of legendary brothers Kiy, Schek, Horiv and their sister Lybid'
and depicts the four founders of the city.
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Till the end of
the 10th century this location, including Khreschatik,
was called Perevisysche and was covered with forests.
Discoveries here include the "Lyads'ky Vorota" or
otherwise called
Pecherski (Gates),
at the beginning of Sofyis'ka Street, leading to
the upper town.
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It was the same gate which was assaulted by Batu Khan in the 13th century,
after having lost all hope of forcing his way through the Golden Gate, he managed to
destroy this Gate enough to allow his troops into the city.
You
will see the gate, decorated with the statue of Archangel Mikhail, who is
considered to be the saint patron of Kiev, with sword
and shield, as a backdrop to the
fountains where people gather.
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In
the 18th century, the "Pechers'k Vorota"
(Gates) were built
on Maidan. They existed until 1833. At the end of the
18th century and- beginning of the 19th, all of
the Maidan area was
an abandoned lot, the so called "Kozyn Boloto" (Goat
Swamp). In 1830 the first wooden buildings appeared
and in the 1850's- brick buildings appeared.
Before 1871 on
this square, then called Khreschatyts'ka, the
market or "rynok" was located. Various circus
shows were held. The first
large stone building was built on the site in the middle of the 19th
century. It was designed by the architect Beretti and housed the Province Noblemen'
Assembly.
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In 1991 the
square became known as "Maidan Nezalezhnosi", along
with Ukraine's
declaration of independance from the former Soviet
Union.
One of the notable figures of the central square is
the Ukraine Independence Monument, which includes the statute of a woman in Ukrainian national costume on a 40 meter column,
symbolizing the independence of Ukraine.
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Kozak-Mamai (folk painting).
18th century.
Oil on canvas, 88 cm 567 cm.
Poltava Oblast.
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Another attraction of the square is the
5,000-jet-spray water fountain called "
Friendship of Nations" designed by architect Komarovsky. Next to the Fountain
you'll see the "Cossack Mamai" Monument. Brief note: Cossack
Mamai is an image often portrayed in Ukrainian folk
paintings that, beginning
in the 17th Century, continues
today. Due to it's popularity,
Cossak Mamai became a sort of
National Ukrainian symbol.
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Drop
down into the underground area right at Maidan Nezalezhnosi
and you'll find a very modern shopping center
as well as an assortment of souveniers
shops and quick eatery's. Just outside the shopping
center toward the metro entrances you'll find plenty
of artists and musicians seeking your charity or
business. This is the place to have a quick "characture"
done of yourself or that special someone. This area
is also a favorite late night hang out for Kiev's
young music minded crowd with plenty of impromteu
concerts and impovisations at every turn.
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Just
opposite
the Main Post Office Building, there's a Marked
Readout "Spire" showing distances and
directions to various world cities. The Spire is
topped with a spinning globe.
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The
Historical names given to today's Maidan Nezalezhnosi:
*
Kozyn Boloto (The Goat
Swamp)
* Khreschatyts'ka Ploscha (Khreschatyts'ka
Square)
* Dums'ka Ploscha
* Soviyets'ka Ploscha
(Soviet Square)
* Ploscha Kalinina (Kalinin Square)
*
Great October Socialist Revolution Square
* Ploscha
Maidan Nezalezhnosti or Independence Square
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