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.
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.
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.
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.
Birthday
Hydrangeas
