Sofiiska (Sophia) Square
Even those who have never been to Kyiv know about St. Sophia in Kyiv. St. Sofia is a sacred place for Ukrainians.
It is considered one of the most important Christian sanctuary in Eastern Europe. This monument of architecture and monumental painting of the 11th–18th centuries has survived from the time of Kyivan Rus. According to legend, a field near the city walls was once located on the site of the current landmark of Ukraine. It was where Yaroslav the Wise defeated the Pechenegs in 1036. On that site, the well-known St. Sophia Cathedral was built, and the surrounding square was named Sophia Square.
Pyrohiv Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine
The largest museum in Ukraine, Pyrohiv, reproduces Ukrainian folk life in a historical context down to the smallest details. This is a skansen, an open-air museum, a museum village, a spacious architectural and landscape complex where one can easily get lost for several days.
More than 300 monuments of traditional Ukrainian architecture of the past five centuries are presented here: houses, wells, storehouses, etc. About 100,000 household items, such as clothes, furniture, fabrics, work tools, and so on, are stored in the museum’s funds. Where else but here, one can feel the path the Ukrainians have gone for 10 centuries?
Pyrohiv Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine
1 Akademika Tronka St
Secret courtyard on 18/10 Khoryva Street
This yard is one of the most colourful in Podil: clothes are dried here on ropes, and wooden stairs lead to the apartments.
At different times, it housed a wallpaper workshop, a tin shop, men’s clothing manufacturing and shoe repair workshops, and even a factory for the production of artificial mineral water.
The yard at 18/10 Khoryva Street
18/10 Horyva street
Mini-sculptures made under the project “Seek!”
Those represent the history of Kyiv in bronze mini-sculptures, of which 37 can already be found in the most unexpected places.
The project was created by the ‘manager of Kyiv’, Yuliia Bevzenko, to give an opportunity to the city’s residents and guests to learn the history of Kyiv without a guide, by exploring the capital of Ukraine on their own. Each sculpture contains a QR code that, after scanning, opens a page with detailed information about the history of each of them.
The Crystal Wailing Wall
In the territory of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Centre, the ‘grandmother of performance’, Marina Abramović, created a unique art object, the Crystal Wailing Wall.
The wall, 40 meters long and 3 meters high, consists of Ukrainian anthracite coal and quartz crystals from Brazil.
Next to the wall, there is an instruction sheet with recommendations on how to interact with the art object: you need to stand in front of the wall, leaning your head, heart and stomach against the crystals, and then formulate a question and think about it.
“I foresee broad public participation. Crystal Wailing Wall is a work of art that can only live if it is addressed daily. In my view, the Western Wall of Jerusalem conceptually continues to Babyn Yar itself, turning into the Wailing and Healing Wall,” says the description of the project posted on behalf of the artist.
Old Kyiv Hill
A sightseeing platform near the Church of the Tithes and the Museum of the History of Ukraine is widely known, but that does not make it any less beautiful and cosy. This place is just full of history!
Apostle Andrew stood on this hill, predicting that the great and beautiful city of Kyiv would rise here.
An ancient 400-year-old linden grows on Old Kyiv Hill, and here is also the unique Church of the Tithes, of which only the foundation has survived to this day.
There are benches where you can sit and mentally transport yourself to distant times.
Kyiv Cycle Track
Kyiv Cycle Track is one of the oldest cycle tracks in continental Europe and a real oasis in the middle of the city. In 1998, it was recognised as a monument of history and architecture. The high-quality renovation of the bicycle track and the park square nearby have enabled this facility to become a favourite recreation spot for Kyivites and city guests.
It’s a nice place to stop by while on your walk and watch the cyclists pedal around.
Square of Contracts (Kontraktova Ploshcha)
The Square of Contracts is an open space with amazing attachment to ancient traditions, and at the same time, it is charged with young energy. This is one of the oldest squares that arose in Podil during the times of Kyivan Rus. The Square of Contracts is, first of all, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy — four hundred years of educational tradition in Kyiv. The Contracts House is now mostly silent, but its walls still keep memories of Shevchenko and Liszt, Korolenko, Balzac, Paustovsky, Vertynsky, and many other names associated with the Kyiv contracts. Fountain of Samson is almost a thousand-year history of the place and folk tales preserved in the Kaidash Family. Come and see for yourself.
Square of Contracts (Kontraktova Ploshcha)
Kontraktova sq
Andriivskyi Descent
Andriivskyi Descent is one of the city’s hallmarks. It used to be called Kyiv’s Montmartre; artists with their works for sale, musicians and artists came here. Here, you could see and buy Ukrainian souvenirs: embroidered shirts, painted dishes, figurines. Many art galleries and art salons were located along the entire street. Every year on Kyiv Day, a vernissage presenting Ukrainian folk crafts was held on Andriivskyi Descent; one could buy a painting by a local artist or souvenirs or listen to street musicians here.
Say what you like, but Kyiv is an amazing city. Here, living history continues to exist next door.
