Kiev - one of the most ancient cities in Europe, around which the history of the Slavs was built. According to historians, the age of the "mother of Russian cities" is 1200-1500 years, but the settlements were there long before our era - back in the Bronze Age.

The Tale of Bygone Years tells us that Kiev was founded by the three brothers Kiy, Shchek and Horyv and their sister Lybedya as the center of the people of the glades. The name was given on behalf of the elder brother. According to other sources, the city was a fortress of the Khazar Khaganate, which was simply captured by local Slavic tribes led by Kiya.

In the 9th century Kyiv became the center of Kievan Rus and the residence of the ruling Rurik dynasty, which dominated other specific princes. By the 12th century Kiev was gradually losing its positions, but still remained the trump card of the principality, and therefore an apple of discord among the other princes, so the city was often attacked and robbed.

In the 13th century, Kiev was first defeated and burned by Prince Rurik Rostislavovich together with the Polovtsians, then was destroyed in the time of the Mongol-Tatars' attack and passed from hand to hand. After such events, the ruined city lost all its power and status as the center of the state. As a result, the throne was moved to Vladimir, but Kiev still remained the spiritual capital of the western Russian lands, which is still there.

During the following centuries the city became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, was ruined by the Crimean khan Mengli-Girei, was transferred Polish Crown Lands. As a result of the Russo-Polish war in the 17th century, Kiev nevertheless returned to the Russian state and became the center of the Kiev province.

In the 20th century, the city was again not given rest: it constantly passed from hand to hand, joining then to the Russian, then to the Ukrainian state, being dominated by German interventionists, Polish troops, blazing in civil and world wars.

During the Great Patriotic War, Kiev was occupied by fascist troops for three years (1941-1943) and suffered great material and human losses. As a result, Kiev still defended its independence and for the heroism shown during the defense, was awarded the title Hero City.

After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Kiev became the capital of an independent state Ukraine. Despite its centuries-long long-suffering history, the city continues to exist, it is the government center of the state and still remains the cultural core of the Slavic peoples.

He is still called "the mother of Russian cities", and many of our compatriots consider it their duty at least once in life to visit this amazing city, our historical and cultural homeland, which was able to preserve its wealth in spite of everything.