Legendary Kyiv has been standing on the steep hills overlooking the Dnipro River for more than 1.500 years.
Ancient and yet perennially young, it has spread wide in all its grandeur far beyond its former borders. Centuries flew by, bringing many trials and tribulations. Ruined and devastated many a time, it came back to life, growing ever more beautiful. Its rich and turbulent history is reflected not only in legends and chronicles but in stone as well. Every street, every building and every monument can relate many interesting stories.
The legend of Kiev’s foundation by three brothers Kyi, Schek and Khoryv and their sister Lybid has been perpetuated in local names: the city itself was named in honour of the eldest brother Kyi, while the names of his brothers and sister have been preserved in the names of hills Schekavytsia and Khoryvytsia, streets Schekavytska and Khoryva and the river Lybid. It is from this legend that an ancient bronze boat commemorating the founders of Kyiv has pulled in to the Dnipro's bank.
