The historical core of Kiev city is situated on bluffs rising some 300 feet (100 meters) above the west bank of the Dnepr River, just south of its junction with the Desna River, one of its left-bank tributaries. Valleys dissecting the west bank divide the Kiev city core into three distinct sections: the Upper Town, Pechersk and Podol.
The high-lying Upper Town, in the center, is the historical heart of the Kiev city of Ukraine, where the modern central business district and the major civic buildings are located. Pechersk, to the southeast, is dominated by an ancient cave monastery, the Pecherskaya Lavra. Podol, adjoining the Upper Town on the north and situated on lower ground next to the river, is the old commercial quarter.
In modern times, industry and residential areas have spread across the Dnepr to the low east-bank section known as Darnitsa. The Kiev city subway system, put in operation in 1960, necessitated the building of a new bridge (1965) across the river. It was constructed on the site of the first Dnepr bridge, which dated from 1853 and was destroyed in World War II.
The river also is crossed by two other road bridges and two rail bridges, and a pedestrian bridge connects the Kiev city center with beach areas on Trukhanov Island in the Dnepr river.
All about Kiev (Kyiv) in 10 squares
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