Kyiv Paris

A corner of comfort and Venetian modernism, a place where you gladly sink into your own thoughts — it is located almost right in the very center of Kyiv, around Ivan Franko Square. Here everyone finds something familiar and close to home. In Italians’ eyes, “Kyiv Paris” is a small “Florence”; for the French, “Montmar”; and for the British, “Piccadilly”.

It is believed that the idea of creating “Kyiv Paris” came from the architect Heorhii Shleifer. During the period of active construction in the late XIX — early XX century, he began development of the estate of Professor of Medicine F. Mering. At that time, the estate covered 10 hectares. Part of it was set aside for a city garden, the other — for development.

Photo from the website chudokiev.com

Over the years, it developed and changed to meet the needs of the city. Instead of a pond with bathing facilities, Ivan Franko Square was created, new streets were laid out, Several significant buildings face the square: the Ivan Franko National Drama Theatre, a two-story building with a glass dome (this was originally an equestrian palace, and later the Krutykov Circus), the Ginzburg House in the Neo-Renaissance style, the “Continental” hotel (the most prestigious at the beginning of the 20th century), which is now the conservatory building.

Each of the buildings preserves many important stories, so “Kyiv Paris” is one of the popular tourist locations worth attention.