Monument to Bohdan Khmelnytskyi

One of Kyiv’s symbols, as well as the main monument on Sofiyska Square, is the monument to Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, the national hero and liberator of Ukraine from Polish oppression. The bronze monument was erected in 1888 on Sofiyska Square itself, since it was here that the city’s residents greeted the hero on his victory in 1648. According to the author’s concept, Mykhailo Mykeshyn, B. Khmelnytskyi, seated on horseback, was to point his mace toward Poland. As if calling his army to advance against the enemy. However, when the monument was installed, it was decided to turn it so that the monument would not stand with its back to one of the city’s main shrines — St Michael’s Cathedral.

The modern version of the monument looks more modest. Originally, a pedestal was planned in the form of many figures: a Polish nobleman thrown from a horse, the corpse of a Jewish leaseholder, the mutilated body of a Jesuit. However, this version was politically incorrect and required more money to complete. Since the funds at the time were being raised through donations from city residents, the lack of money led to the decision to make a less detailed pedestal. 

Interesting facts:

• The monument was cast in St Petersburg in 1879. 
• At first, there were three plaques on the monument’s pedestal with the inscriptions: “To Bohdan Khmelnytskyi — a single indivisible Russia”, “1648-1654”, “We prefer the eastern, Orthodox tsar”. Today there is a plaque there with the concise inscription: “Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. 1888”.
• The monument was meant to symbolize the unification of Russia and Ukraine.