Legends of Kyiv: Richard’s Castle, the House with Chimaeras, Bald Mountain and Other Mysterious Places

Every old city has its legends, and Kyiv, more than fifteen centuries old, has more than most. Some are about the founding of the city, others about houses said to be haunted. Here are five places with stories attached, and where to take a green walk nearby.

Flowers across Kyiv: large rose bouquets and flowers in a box.

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Five legendary places

• Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and Lybid. According to the chronicle legend, three brothers and their sister founded the city. A boat-shaped monument to them stands on the Dnipro embankment.
• Richard’s Castle. A Neo-Gothic house on Andriivskyi Descent built in the early 20th century, named after Richard the Lionheart, with rumours of ghosts explaining strange noises at night.
• The House with Chimaeras. The mansion of architect Władysław Horodecki, decorated with animals and mythical creatures. Many legends surround it, though most are pleasant inventions.

• The Golden Gate. The main entrance to ancient Kyiv, built under Yaroslav the Wise, with tales of the city’s miraculous rescue.
• Bald Mountain. For centuries it was called a gathering place of witches. Today it is a landscape park where steppe plants survive, and wildflowers cover its slopes in spring.

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Combining legends with a walk

• Andriivskyi Descent. From Richard’s Castle it is a short walk to Volodymyrska Hill and the viewpoints over the Dnipro.
• Bankova and Lypky. Near the House with Chimaeras are the Mariinskyi and Khreshchatyi parks.
• Bald Mountain. Best in spring, when early flowers bloom; go in company and in daylight.

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For more routes, see a walk through historic Kyiv and romantic places in Kyiv.

FAQ

Can you go inside the House with Chimaeras?

It is used for official events, but guided tours are held from time to time by advance booking.

Why is Bald Mountain linked with witches?

It is an old folk legend about witches’ gatherings; similar “bald mountains” exist in many European countries.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.