Interesting Facts About the Monuments of Andriivskyi Descent

The streets of Kyiv can tell modern readers a great deal about their history and the unusual events from the lives of famous people. Andriivskyi Uzviz in Kyiv is no exception. What is Andriivskyi Uzviz famous for? Here almost every corner is a part of our people’s history that can impress or inspire creative experiments. It is impossible to overlook the monuments of Andriivskyi Uzviz. Some see them as works of art, for others they are simply beautiful sculptures, and for those who believe in mysticism, they are an opportunity to make a wish. Any doubts? Then make a wish and rub the beetle on Holokhvastov’s back or Bulgakov’s nose!

Those who begin a walk along Andriivskyi Uzviz from Andriivska Church will certainly notice one of its best-known monuments — the monument to Two Hares.

The monument to Two Hares almost completely recreates a fragment of a scene from the film of the same name. Anyone who has not yet had a chance to see Podil in the 60s of the 20th century should watch the film. After all, part of the filming took place right by Andriivska Church.

The main figures of the bronze monument are Pronya Prokopivna and her suitor Svyryd Holokhvastov. Newlyweds love this monument, as there is an opinion that those who rub the wedding ring on Pronia’s hand will be able to marry successfully or will be happy in family life.

Descending down the steep incline of Andriivskyi Uzviz, on the right-hand side in a small square you will notice three unusual concrete sculptures: T. Shevchenko, Yaroslav the Wise, and the headless monument to Princess Olha. They are all united by one thing — their author is the well-known sculptor I. Kavaleridze. By the way, nearby is a museum dedicated to his life and work. All three monuments are prototypes of real sculptures. The concrete monument to T. Shevchenko, now made of bronze, is located in the city of Rivne. The much larger sculpture of Yaroslav the Wise, which wits nicknamed the “man with a cake,” was approved and installed near the Golden Gate, while the destroyed sculpture of Princess Olha has now been recreated and is located on Mykhailivska Square. It has still not been established where her head ended up after the monument was destroyed by the Bolsheviks.

Near building number 13 stands a bronze sculpture of M. Bulgakov. The location was chosen naturally, since it was in this house that the famous writer, director, and author of The Master and Margarita, White Guard, Heart of a Dog, and other well-known works once lived. The author of the monument — Mykola Rapai — is a Honored Artist of Ukraine.

In 2010, the cat Behemoth from the novel The Master and Margarita was admired on the facade of the building. However, under strange circumstances, the sculpture disappeared for unexplained reasons. However in Kyiv there is another miniature sculpture in the form of Bulgakov, next to whom is the same cat Behemoth.

Not so long ago, in March 2021, a monument to Mykola Hohol appeared on Andriivskyi Uzviz — a rather controversial monument that sparked a lot of discussion. The sculpture appeared very suddenly, as there had been no competitions or open discussions the day before. This caused outrage in the Central Council of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. A petition was created with the aim of auditing the condition and concept for the further development of Andriivskyi Uzviz. However, the petition did not gather the required number of votes for consideration, so the monument to Hohol remained on the city’s historic street.

No less controversial is the monument to Oleksandr Vertynskyi. Not all fans of this actor liked his portrayal as the sad Pierrot, although this is one of his popular roles, in which he was remembered by many viewers. Some compared the monument to a sculpture for a grave, unworthy of being installed on Andriivskyi Uzviz. According to unconfirmed rumors, it was installed with funds from a local collector.

If you still have not decided where to go for a walk or what to see interesting in Kyiv, head to Andriivskyi Uzviz without hesitation! This is an interesting place for walks with a unique 19th-century atmosphere. It is constantly changing, supplemented by new buildings and monuments, yet it always draws in anyone who is tired of reinforced-concrete high-rises, wants to spend time well, or simply wants to return to the past for a moment. It is one of the few streets of Kyiv with so many monuments that can remind us of famous figures who contributed to Ukrainian culture.