Pechersk
Pechersk (Ukrainian: Печерськ, Pechers'k) is a 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 an administrative district (Raion) of the Kiev city. Pechersk is the most important cultural area of the city and is the location of the legendary Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Monastery of the Caves), from which it received its name (Pechera in Ukrainian means a cave). Many other historical and architectural monuments are situated here.
Since 1930s, Pechersk is also the political center of the city and houses many branches of the Government of Ukraine, as well as the city government. The Verkhovna Rada (Parliament), the offices of the president, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (formerly the Ukrainian SSR Cabinet), the Supreme Court of Ukraine are located on the hills. Many other administrative and educational facilities are situated in the district. There are also few picturesque parks. The Lobanovs'kyi Dynamo Stadium, the home ground of the Dynamo Kyiv football club, is also located in Pechersk.
After the declaration of Ukrainian Independence in 1991, Pechersk retained and developed its role also becoming a luxury residential area with increased security. 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).
One should note that "Pechersk" often refers to the number of smaller and more distinct historical neighborhoods of Kiev, included in the administrative Pechersk Raion, and only one of such small neighborhoods itself bears the name "Pechersk". For example, the premises of Verkhovna Rada and the president are located in the Lypky (Lipki) historical district, located in the triangle between the Hrushevska, Bankivska and Shovkovychna Streets.