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The Lavra Monastery.  The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra cave monastery is one of the most important holy places for the Orthodox church.  It finds its roots in the 11th century when monks settled in caves that were dug out in the hill.  Over the centuries, the monastery expanded and received defensive walls.  Nowadays it consists of the Dormition Cathedral, several churches, two belfries, gates, towers, several museums and many other monastic buildings.  The old caves are also still there.  The entire complex is inscribed in the Unesco Heritage list.  Not to miss.  [more information]

Saint-Sophia Cathedral.  The cathedral was built in the first half of the 11th century and counts no less than 13 domes, and still preserves original 11th century mosaics and frescoes.  Its name and architecture are derived from the great byzantine Hagia Sophia cathedral in Constantinople.  The cathedral served as the main church for Kiev, then the capital of Kievan Rus.  The buildings around it were mainly constructed in the 17th - 18th century in Ukrainian baroque architecture.  The cathedral and its related monastic structures are inscribed in the Unesco Heritage list.  [more information] 

Saint-Andrew's church.  On a hill next to one of the city's most wellknown streets (Andriivskyi Uzviz) stands one of the most decorated churches of Kiev: Saint-Andrew's church.  The construction of this 18th century church was ordered by the Russian empress Elizabeth.  The roots of the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli are very obvious in its design, which is a mix of late Italian and Russion baroque.  [more information] 

Golden Gate.  The Golden Gate or Zoloti Vorota is one of three gates that were built in the 11th century by order of Yaroslav the Wise.  It's the only one that survived.  It was severely damaged by the mongol Golden Horde of Batu Khan.  Later on, the defensive walls fell into disuse and the gate gradually degraded into ruins.  What can be seen nowadays, is a 1982 reconstruction based on how it may have looked like.    

Saint-Michael's cathedral.  This blue cathedral with annex belfry tower and monastery is one of the most iconic sights in Kiev and is also known "the golden domed cathedral".  The cathedral, dedicated to the Archangel Michael, was initially constructed in the beginning of the 12th century but was destroyed in 1936.  Between 1996 and 2000 the complex was rebuilt in Ukrainian baroque style according to how it was in the 18th century.  [more information]