I was born and lived in Kyiv, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its ancient architecture impressed me from early childhood. Going to school or to work, I passed by the beautiful cathedrals and churches, every day. The fact that they were built in 11th-15th century amazed me. I can't stop admiring Kyiv's buildings and loving its tragic and heroic history.

By the end of the 12th century, there were more than 400 churches with golden cupolas. Unfortunately, many churches were destroyed during invasions of Tartars, Polish, Lithuanian. One of the tragic examples of that time was Desyatinnaya Church, founded in 989. During the Tartar's invasion, women and children took refuge inside its massive walls. But the roof collapsed under the weight of fiery blows, killing everyone inside.

But Kyiv still keeps many marvelous churches. One of my favorite is St. Sophia Cathedral, dedicated in the 11th century. Historians consider it as the beginning of the era of Ukrainian Baroque. St. Sophia has 13 helmet-like golden cupolas and was built in the shape of Greek cross. The main cupola in the center represents Christ; the surrounding cupolas depicted the 12 Apostles. With its beautiful mosaics and frescoes and secular themes that blend harmoniously with mosaic floors and marble decorations, the cathedral is a masterpiece of world architecture.

St. Sohia was a center of official state ceremonies and commemorations as well as a library and center writing. The early Kievan princes were entombed here, but the only remaining tomb is that of Yaroslav the Wise who was buried in six-ton carved marble sarcophagus.

I love the green chestnut trees of my city and fresh air full of aroma of flourishing flowers. I like to walk by the streets of my childhood and imagine that there are no modern people and cars and I live in the middle ages. And this is my kingdom. I feel sorry that I am not a painter and I can't depict what I see for the future generation. I like to take pictures, and I have a lot of them in my album, pictures of my home beloved city.