National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War

On one of the great hills of Kyiv stands a colossus with sword and shield in hand. Her massive shield defends the country and her sword pierces the sky above the city. This is the Motherland Monument, a gigantic statue celebrating the Soviet victory in World War II. This statue stands taller than the Statue […]

National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine in Kyiv

Kyiv offers a plethora of parks, museums, and cafes to provide a bit of relief from the hustle and bustle of its modern, big city life. However, just a short trip away is the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine. Located on the former Pirohiv settlement, which dates back to the days […]

St. Sophia’s Cathedral – The Historic Protectress of Kyiv, Ukraine

Near the center of the city, St. Sophia’s Cathedral is maintained by the Ukrainian government as a grand and beautiful reminder of the past. Originally founded in 1011 A.D., when Kyiv was still the capital of Kievan Rus, it was an early and grand celebration of the state’s official adoption of Christianity in 988. The […]

The Open Air Museums of Baturyn, Ukraine

The Ukrainian countryside rolled by outside the van window. Sunflower fields stretched as far as the eye could see, shot through with copses of trees and punctuated with corn and wheat fields. We were on an excursion several hours to the east of Kyiv, included in our Kyiv-based study program, to see three major Ukrainian […]

Guide to Kyiv’s Top Museums

Kyiv is one of Eastern Europe’s oldest and biggest cities. It is where Christianity first became an official part of Slavic culture and it was the first great Slavic capital. Although the city has continued to lay claim to great achievements in history, art, science, and literature, it has for many centuries sat in Moscow’s […]

National Art Museum of Ukraine in Kyiv

The National Art Museum is Kyiv’s oldest museum. It opened its first exhibition in 1899 and today displays a plethora of art across eras and styles, making it a crown jewel in a city that is now filled with museums, galleries, and independent art spaces. It continues its operation with funding from the state, donors, […]

National Chernobyl Museum in Kyiv, Ukraine

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 is memorialized in a small but powerful Chernobyl Museum in central Kyiv. Students on SRAS study abroad programs in Kyiv are often taken there as part of their cultural package as the tragedy remains fresh in Ukrainian memories and continues to be a important part of local history and […]

Museum of Partisan Glory in Odessa, Ukraine

Tour of the Odessa Catacombs Travel and excursion included in PCON program, Fall 2017 When I found out that our class was planning a trip to Odessa, Ukraine, I instantly pictured gorgeous architecture, quaint streets, and relaxing beaches. While Odessa possesses all of these characteristics, there were two other factors that drew my attention the […]

Mezhyhirya Residence Museum in Kyiv

During the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was forced to flee Ukraine and seek asylum in Russia (asylum was later officially granted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2016). When Yanukovych fled Ukraine, he left behind luxurious Mezhyhirya Residence, a place Yanukovych called home for twelve years. Following Yanukovych’s departure, the Mezhyhirya […]

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