Kyiv is rich not only in UNESCO monuments, various landscape parks and museums in the open air. The capital can also boast of castles and fortresses that survived after various historical vicissitudes.
You will be amazed by this fascinating journey through the incredibly beautiful places of the Ukrainian capital. Go ahead!
Kyiv fortress
The human eye is not capable of covering the entire Kyiv fortress with its focus, as it is very large. Its parts are conventionally scattered around Kyiv, and some are hiding from curious eyes in courtyards and alleys. Among them there is a military infirmary, cellars with arsenals of weapons, and even catacombs.
Did you know that the Kyiv Fortress is considered the largest earthen fortification in the world?
Think about it, maybe you don’t know Kyiv at all.
Yes, being at the exhibition of the Old Arsenal, it is quite likely that about a few hundred years ago you would have found yourself at a military factory. On Rybalska Street 22 there was a provision tower, etc. A fortress was located in the Arsenalna area, and the Lavra was a “defensive structure with strong walls and high towers.” And in the 18th century, according to the drawings of Peter I, the construction of the largest fortress at that time began here – this was the beginning of a gigantic defense complex.
In the 19th century, the construction of the second part of this project – the Novo Pechersk fortress – began. Its planning was approved by Nicholas I, and the author was Karl Opperman.
An interesting fact, but for the entire time of their existence, both fortresses were not involved in hostilities.
Let’s take a virtual walk through the places of former glory of these buildings. Coming out of the Arsenalna metro station, immediately look at the eye-catching red building, made in the Gothic style. Here there were the same gates that once connected Pechersk and Lypky.
But the street, located immediately behind Slavy Park, crossed the ramparts of the Old Fortress.
Klov Palace
At the beginning of the 18th century, the territory of the Klov Palace was called “Klov”, as derived from the stream. The stream carried stones and sandstones, which is why it murmured so loudly.
This territory began to be gradually inhabited only after Elizaveta visited Kyiv. Immediately after her visit, large-scale construction began, so that the “first persons of the state” would have a place to stay in future times.
The construction of the planned palace was started by the famous architect Neelov, and later completed by Kovnir. But ironically, the palace was not destined to receive high-ranking guests. The building was taken from the Lavra and the reins of government were given to the city. Therefore, the castle was a women’s school, a military hospital, and even a men’s gymnasium.
At the moment, the palace is closed, but this does not prevent it from being viewed from the outside.
Richard’s Castle
According to official documents, the famous castle of Richard on Podil in Kyiv appeared in 1902 of the 20th century. This plot of land was in the possession of Dmytro Orlov – by order of whom a neo-Gothic style palace was built here.
The house turned out to be of incredible beauty and majestic splendor: a decorated roof with sharp spiers, various walls, an original gallery and a neat yard.
After some time, the new owner of the building rented apartments in it, and a series of accidents began. They said that the castle was inhabited by evil spirits, and all because of strange sounds in the ventilation pipes.
Richard’s castle was always visited by famous personalities of the time, it seemed to attract talented people to him as a magnet.
In addition, behind the house there was an exit to Zamkova Gora, from where Podil could be seen in the palm of your hand.
Mariinsky Palace
The Mariinsky Palace used to be called the Tsar’s Palace a long time ago. As you will see for yourself – the name has changed, but the former beauty has remained the same.
The palace is the ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and is located next to the Verkhovna Rada.
But Mariinsky Park used to be called the Tsar’s Garden and was a personal order of Elizabeth at the end of the 18th century. Both the palace and the park (garden) were created by the hands of the famous Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Unfortunately, Elizaveta never visited the commissioned park with the palace, because the Seven Years’ War soon began. Then the palace was awaited by a large-scale fire and a noisy restoration, but already in the 1870s.
Pineapples and even cocaine bushes were once grown in the park of the Mariinsky Palace.
After the Bolshevik repressions, the palace suffered a lot, in particular after the Soviet restorations, which literally crossed out Bartolomeo’s idea.
Oblique caponier
The oblique caponier was built in 1844 and was a part of the Pechersk fortress. Its most terrible component, because it was here that there was a political prison, in which people who disagreed with the government were executed and tortured.
This structure was underground with thick walls made of large bricks. To date, only her memory and historical evidence have survived.
Steingel castle
At the beginning of Yaroslaviv Val Street in Kyiv, it is difficult not to notice a rather original building with a pointed tower, as in the Middle Ages. A lot of very interesting details are hidden in the castle itself, but more on that later.
In the 11th century, an underground shaft stretched from the modern Lviv Square to the Golden Gate, which played a defensive function. Later, the rampart lost its significance, and a path and a street named Pidvalna appeared in its place.
Already in the 19th century, it was renamed to Yaroslavov Val (in whose honor Yaroslav is known). An incredibly beautiful castle with a pointed roof was “born” on this street. Various Romanesque depictions of diabolical creatures and demonesses can also be seen on the roof. You will definitely like this exotic house, with its trail of secrets.
The bourgeoisie at that time loved everything extravagant and this house is far from an exception. Some even nicknamed it “Bluebeard’s house”. According to eyewitnesses, the castle was owned by the eponymous Karl Shteingel, but historians claim that the real owner was Mykhailo Pidhirskyi. Having huge possessions not only in the Volyn region, he also acquired land in Kyiv. Architect Dobaevsky became the chief architect of this building.
Pidhirskyi lived in the renovated house for only a couple of years and soon died. Yaroshynskyi, Brodskyi became the next owners, and later it was nationalized. One way or another, this estate nevertheless became the first harbinger of modernism in the capital.