Pechersk

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"Pechersk" and "Pecherskyi Raion" redirects here.
Pechers’kyi Raion
Печерський район
—  Raion of Kiev  —
Coat of arms of Pechers’kyi Raion
Coat of arms
Location of Pechers’kyi Raion
Country Flag of Ukraine Ukraine
City Municipality Flag of Kyiv Kyiv
Main neighborhoods
Government
 - Mayor Serhiy M. Suschenko (OU)
Area
 - Total 27 km² (10.4 sq mi)
Population
 - Total 126,200
 - Density 4,674/km² (12,105.6/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 - Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Landmarks President's office, Parliament buiding, Cabinet of Ministers, Lobanovsky Stadium, Pechersk Lavra
Metro stations Dnipro, Arsenalna, Khreshchatyk, Teatralna
Website: http://www.pechersk.kiev-city.gov.ua/

Pechersk (Ukrainian: Печерськ, Pechers’k) is a important historical neighborhood in Kiev (Kyiv), the capital of Ukraine, located on the hills adjoining the right bank of the Dnieper River. Also, the Pecherskyi Raion (Ukrainian: Печерський район) is a larger administrative district (raion) of the city which also includes other historical neighborhoods. The two geographic entities are often confused together.

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[edit] Pechersk itself

Pechersk is one of the most important cultural areas of Kiev, the location of the legendary Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Monastery of the Caves), from which it received its name (Pechera is the Ukrainian for "cave"). Many other historical and architectural monuments are situated here.

In 18th century through mid-20th century Pechersk has been a major military stronghold of Russia and later Soviet Union, being home to the Kiev fortress and several military schools.

Later many administrative, educational, research and cultural institutions were founded in the neighborhood, such as the Central Election Commission, two universities and several theaters.

[edit] Political center

Since 1930s, Pechersk is also considered the political center of the city and the phrase "Pechersk Hills" became an euphemism for the Ukrainian government and/or political elite. This refers to many branches of the Government of Ukraine such as the Verkhovna Rada (parliament), the office of the President, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (formerly the Ukrainian SSR cabinet), the Supreme Court of Ukraine situated close to each other.

However, this "political area" is in fact the Lypky historical neighborhood within Pecherskyi Raion, not the Pechersk neighborhood itself. Lypky is also notable by its consistent and distinctive Soviet architecture, purposely designed for an elite quarter of government buildings and highest statesmen' residence.

[edit] Pecherskyi Raion

Southern outskirts of Pecherskyi Raion (view northwards), spring 2005. Kyiv-Moskovskyi railway station and Chorna Hora neighborhood on the foreground; luxury apartment blocks of Pechersk seen on the background.
Southern outskirts of Pecherskyi Raion (view northwards), spring 2005. Kyiv-Moskovskyi railway station and Chorna Hora neighborhood on the foreground; luxury apartment blocks of Pechersk seen on the background.

Administrative Pecherskyi Raion (erroneously called simply Pechersk) includes several small and distinct historical neighborhoods of Kiev, the main being:

  • Pechersk itself
  • Lypky
  • Klov
  • Zvirynets
  • Telychka
  • Chorna Hora

There are large residential, industrial, healthcare and military areas in the raion, as well as a few picturesque parks and sports venues like the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium. Many administrative and educational facilities are situated in the district.

The famous Art nouveau House with Chimaeras and gigantic statue of Mother Motherland are also located in Pecherskyi Raion (Lypky and Zvirynets respectively).

After the declaration of Ukrainian independence in 1991, Pecherskyi Raion retained and developed its role also becoming a luxury residential area. The few large industrial companies located in the district are considering to move elsewhere, pocketing a significant profit from the real estate they hold from the times of the Soviet Ukraine (see Kiev Arsenal factory).

[edit] See also

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[edit] External links