User:DDima/Sandbox/Kiev architecture

Kiev or Kyiv (Київ; Киев) is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The city has been controlled over by many states throughout its history, ranging from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the 16th-17th centuries, to the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, and now independant Ukraine. Different architectural styles were introduced to the city during this time, including Baroque and Art Nouveau during the Russian Empire, to Stalinist architecture during the Soviet-era, and to Contemporary architecture today.

Baroque
Examples of Baroque architecture in Kiev include:
 * the Kiev Opera builing
 * St Andrew's Church of Kiev

Ukrainian Baroque


Ukrainian Baroque was an architectural style which emerged during the Hetmanate era of the 17th-18th centuries. Ukrainian Baroque architecture, representative of cossack aristocracy, is distinct from Western European Baroque in that its designs were more constructivist, had more moderate ornamentation, and were simpler in form.

During the 17th-18th centuries, many of Kiev's medieval Rus' churches were significantly redesigned and expanded. Additional church domes and elabourate exteriour and interiour ornamentation were added. Examples of redesigned churches include the St. Sophia Cathedral, the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral and others:

Kiev includes numerous examples of Ukrainian Baroque architecuture including the Kiev Pechersk Lavra complex, the Mariyinsky Palace, the Vydubychi Monastery, and many more.

Art Nouveau


An important and prevailant style in the city is Art Nouveau or Modern, a style which emerged at the beginning of the 20th century and which is characterised by highly-stylised, flowing, curvilinear designs often incorporating floral and other plant-inspired motifs.

Important Art Nouveau buildings in the city include:
 * the House with Chimaeras, originally an upmarket apartment building, it was built in the period of 1901–1902 by noted architect Vladislav Gorodetsky. The building is now used as an official residence of the Ukrainian President;
 * the House of the Weeping Widow, constructed in 1907 by architect E. Bradtman, and also used as an official residence;

Stalinism


During the Soviet Union, architecture constructed during 1933-1955 was termed Stalinist architecture. Stalinist architecture is largely prevailant throughout the city, as many of the buildings constructed in post-war World War II Kiev were done in this style.

Main ensembles of Stalinist architecture are:
 * the Khreschatyk street, the city's main street;
 * the Verkhovna Rada building, the meeting place of the Ukrainian Parliament

Constructivism
Of the more modern architectural styles, Constructivist architecture was commonly found throughout the city. The style combined advanced technology and engineering with an avowedly Communist social purpose. While it mainly flourished during the 1920s-1930s, Constructivist buildings can be found dating back to as late as 1960.

Examples of Constructivist architecture include:
 * the Palace of Sports, a major indoor sports arena;
 * the original terminal of the Kiev Passenger Railway Station (with elemets of Ukrainian Baroque as well).