Kyiv

Today I would like to show you the capital of country that is really large but only recently appeared on the map of Europe. Ladies, gentleman and horses - welcome to Kyiv.

Let's start at at the Golden Gate, the same place where, according to the legend, the Polish King Boleslaw I the Brave, used his sacred sword Szczerbiec for the first time Szczerbiec takes his name from a notch that was supposed to be chipped when the king has hit the gate.

But in fact the Golden Gate was constructed only 19 years after Boleslaw made efforts to support his son-in-law, Sviatopolk I of Kiev, in keeping Kyiv's throne. 

His effort was only successful as long as he was in Kyiv's with his army. When he has left, Yaroslaw the Wise has defeated his older brother. During his long-lasting reign, Kievan Rus' reached the zenith of its cultural bloom and military power. You can admire his monument in front of The Gate.

Kyiv has in fact one more Golden Gate. The other one is modern. In fact it is the entrance to the metro station taking its name from the medieval building.

Although the entrance might not seem impressive, the surrounding modern buildings are almost as impressive as the former city entrance.

Another interesting building nearby is the National Opera House of Ukraine. As most of the best buildings in the Ukraine's capital it is called after the poet Taras Shevchenko. It was built in classical style, similar in style to the Opera house of Lviv that we have seen last year.

Just next to the Opera House you can admire the monument of Mykola Vitaliyovych Lysenko, an Ukrainian composer, pianist, conductor and ethnomusicologist.

Behind him you can admire some very nice residential buildings. I would expect that you would have to be a rockstar to afford an appartment in one of them.

And here you can see the other side of the Opera House.

Speaking of rockstars, I am sure that there are quite a few really wealthy people in the city. Just on the other side of the street (yes, the Opera House reflection is visible in the windows) you can buy a Rolls-Royce to come to the opera with proper splendor.

Those who cannot afford a luxury car can always bring some gold to their life through street decorations.

Next week I will show you where Kyiv's name orignates from and its best buildings according to Unesco.

Lviv

Dear friends, welcome to Lviv. The city that is located at a meeting point of many cultures. Let's start with the most important city building - the Town Hall.

It is difficult to take a picture of this huge building, but just next to it you can take picture of its copy of mine proper size.

Just next to the main entrance of the City Hall you can find an information that the whole historic city center of Lviv was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

Inside you can find the three most most important flags for Lviv's inhabitants: the one of the European Union, that of Ukraine and finally the flag of Lviv. Have you noticed that they are made with the same colours?

Let's climb the tower. On the way you can see the clock machinery

On the top of the tower you can see two bells.

But was is truly worth the climbing is the impresive view of the whole historic city center. Looking South West you can admire the Archcathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Latin Cathedral.

Looking North, the most prominent building is the Armenian Cathedral of Lviv. It is a pitty it is forbidden to take pictures inside, the interior is really amazing.

Looking East you can spot the round dome of the church of Dominican monastery and right to it the 400-year-old Korniakt tower over the Dormition church of Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Yes, likewise Przemyśl, Lviv is situated where many cultures and religions meet.

Let's go back down to the Market Square and admire fantastic palaces, like Brandelli's that is the seat of Museum of Post (yellow one) and the Black House, both from 16th century.

But Lviv is bautiful also beyond the Market Square. There are fantastic palaces, like the one of the very rich aristocratic family of Potocki.

The red brick biulding on our left is the Medieval Arsenal

And on our right, one of many beautiful churches, the Dominic Convent from 18th century.

Any proud city houses also several monuments. Lviv is no exception, starting with the monument of the city's patron St. Yura's (Ukrainian for George).

Then come the great poets, like Ivan Franko. He is one of the most important poets writing in modern Ukrainian.

It made him deserve a park of his own.

Then comes Adam Mickiewicz. He was writing in Polish so would find his monuments also in many Polish cities.

This large monument is celebrating another poet of the Ukrainian language - Taras Shevchenko.

From the last monument I encourage you to walk among Avenue of Freedom, buying some gifts or traditional Ukrainian food.

Finally we reach the Opera House.

But art is not only about poems and music, so you can also spot the famous painter Nikifor. Everyone wants to touch his huge nose. This is why he shines.

But Lviv is not only a city of art but also one of sciene and enterprenership. The best person to show it is Ignacy Lukasiewicz. He discovered how to distill kerosene from seep oil, built the world's first oil refinery, invented the modern kerosene lamp and introduced the first modern street lamp in Europe.

Let us sit for a moment on the chair next to him and listen to the amazing vibes of Lviv.

The Old Town of Milan

I am happy to show you today the beautiful city of Milan. When I have arrived at the main train station I was not impressed - I have heard so much about it but the platforms looked like any other train platforms in the world.

It is only when I entered the main hall that I understood what this all fuzz was about.

The main train station in Milan was built in the 1930s under the supervision of the fascist dictatorship of Mussolini. It is huge and definitely meant to impress. The walls are decorated with sculptures, paintings and mosaics. This is the entry to the ticket office.

The station was rebuilt a couple of times over the last eighty years so it is quite modern, with elevators and escalators. Still, it keeps its majestic style.

The life of Milan centers nowadays around the Piazza del Duomo or the Cathedral Square. It is surrounded by some nice buildings, housing the most exquisite fashion brands.

In the back, you can spot the Victor Emmanuel II Gallery. It is an amazing place - the little streets are covered by a glass roof that transforms them into a gallery.

Let's enter inside. If you have a wallet packed with credit cards, you can enter one of the shops.

For example this Prada boutique ...

... or the Louis Vitton's one.

I am afraid that the only option for me would be the McDonald's just outside this lane.

By the way - have you noticed the roof? Yes, it is hard  not to notice it.

But did you also look under your feet? Here comes the white cross on a red shield. No, it is not for Denmark or Switzerland. It is the coat of arms of Milan.

Now I wonder how many of you noticed the name of the Piazza we just crossed. And yes, the cathedral of Milan, dedicated to St Mary of the Nativity, is also here. This is one of the biggest that I have ever seen. No wonder, it took almost six centuries to be completed. It is the fifth largest church in the world and the largest in Italy.

The cathedral is basically in the gothic style. It is beautifully ornamented with hundreds of statues and reliefs. Unfortunately it is strictly forbidden to take pictures inside the cathedral.

If we take just a few steps on the left of the Duomo, we will find a building that looks very modest. But do not judge the book by the cover. It is the world famous theater and opera of La Scala.

Inside, it is much more impressive.

There are in total two thousand seats, most of them in individual balconies, each of which has six places.

Below the main stage comes the place for the orchestra.

The building houses also a small museum, where you can see sculptures and paintings of famous singers and composers, ancient playing instruments and some magnificent costumes used in the spectacles produced by the La Scala. This one is from Aida opera. You can see why Milan is considered a capital of fashion.

I hope that you have enjoyed this walk through the Old Town of Milan. Let's now catch the underground because there is one more place in Milan that I want to show you.