A photo of Khreshchatyk by Frunze13 – Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Khreshchatyk


 

Khreshchatyk is the main street of Kyiv, Ukraine. The street has a length of 1.2 kilometres. It stretches from the European Square through the Maidan and to Bessarabska Square where the Besarabsky Market is located.

The name of Khreshchatyk is believed to be derived from the Slavic word krest or khrest. It lies in a valley that is crossed by several ravines. When looked at from above, the valley resembles a cross.

A small river, the Khreshchatyk River, a tributary of Kyiv’s Lybid River, ran along much of the valley and still runs underground along much of the street. In the article are the top 10 fascinating facts about Khreshchatyk.

1. The street has numerous crucial offices in the Kyiv

A photo of Khreshchatyk by Nick Gapsy – Wikimedia commons

Along the street are the offices of the Kyiv City Council which contains both the city’s council and the state administration, the Main Post Office, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the State Committee of Television and Radio Broadcasting, the Central Department Store (TsUM), the Ukrainian House, and others.

2. The street houses the Ukrainian House

The Ukrainian House is also known as the International Convention Center. The Ukrainian House is the largest international exhibition and convention center in Kyiv, Ukraine. The five-storey building is the host venue for a variety of events from exhibitions, to trade fairs and conferences.

Also, international association meetings, product launches, banquets, TV ceremonies, and sporting events are held in the Ukrainian House. Ukrainian House is situated on 2 Khreshchatyk Street, overlooking European Square in the heart of the Ukrainian capital.

3. The street also houses European Square

A photo of European Square y Mister No – Wikimedia commons

European Square is a square located in what is known as the Old Town (Stare Misto) or the Upper Town, Kyiv, Ukraine. It is also located at the northeastern end of the Khreschatyk, the city’s main thoroughfare. In 2013–14 the square was one of the centres of the EuroMaidan protests.

4. Khreshchatyk was included in the top 20 most expensive shopping streets in Europe

A photo of Khreschatyk by Vladimir Yaitskiy – Wikimedia commons

Kyiv proudly presents residents and visitors alike with lots of exciting shopping opportunities. Khreschatyk Street, a local’s favorite street, the main avenue in Kyiv was listed in the top 20 most expensive streets in Europe.

The extends for several blocks and boasts many shops, cafés, and restaurants. The street has row upon row of top-end stores, including Bulgari, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. During the weekends and public holidays, the area is cut off from traffic and fully pedestrianized.

As you walk through the neighborhood you will come across numerous street vendors, selling ice cream jewelry, scarves, snacks, and souvenirs. The street also has Besarabsky indoor Market.

5. The entire street was destroyed during World War II

World War II was a global war that happened between 1939 to 1945, a span of 6 years. Almost every building on the street was mined with explosives by the retreating Red Army troops. In September 1941, after German troops occupied the city, explosions were set off by radio-controlled fuses from over 400 kilometres away.

The demolition of over three hundred buildings on Khreshchatyk became the first operation in history where long-distance radio-controlled explosions were used for military purposes. Much of the surviving historic center of Kyiv was demolished.

6. Military officers of the German army were assassinated on the Khreshchatyk road

The German World War I Field Marshal Hermann von Eichhorn supreme commander of Army Group Kyiv and military governor of Ukraine were assassinated on the Khreshchatyk road, Kyiv by the social revolutionary Boris Donskoi in 1918.

The street, therefore, was renamed Eichhornstrasse. Take note that the renaming of the street happened in Worl War I.

7. The street was rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s

a photo of Khreshchatyk by spoilt.exile from Kiev, Ukraine – Wikimedia commons

Following World War II, Khreshchatyk was rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s. The street was widened to 75–100 meters and new buildings were erected in the Neoclassical Stalinist architectural style.

Important buildings of the new ensemble include the City Council House, the Central Post Office, and the Trade-Union House. The street was one of Kyiv’s first landmarks that were serviced by the Kyiv Metro in 1960. It was also the system’s first transfer station when the second line opened in 1976.

8. The traditional May Day parade on Khreshchatyk was held on 1986

On 1 May 1986, a few days after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, Soviet authorities held a traditional May Day parade on Khreshchatyk. The traditional May Day parade was held to “calm people” and “prevent panic” caused by the disaster. Thousands of Kyivans, including many children, were exposed to dangerous doses of radiation.

9. The street has had numerous names

A photo of Khreshchatyk Street by Sharon Hahn Darlin – Wikimedia commons

Khreshchatyk underwent major development and reconstruction after the Russian Revolution of 1917. Between 1923 and 1937, the street was named after V.V. Vorovsky, an early Bolshevik diplomat assassinated in Switzerland.

In the mid-1930s, the tram lines were deconstructed, and the trams were replaced by trolleybuses. Under German occupation, the street was renamed Eichhornstrasse by the social revolutionary Boris Donskoi in 1918.

10. The first ceremonial raising of the Ukrainian national flag took place on Khreshchatyk

A photo of the Flag of Ukraine by the government of Ukraine – Wikimedia commons

The Flag of Ukraine consists of equally sized horizontal bands of blue and yellow. As a national flag, the blue and yellow bicolor has been used since the 1848 Spring of Nations, when it was hoisted over Lviv Town Hall.

It was officially adopted as a state flag for the first time in 1918 by the short-lived West Ukrainian People’s Republic. The flag has been subsequently used by the Ukrainian People’s Republic, just before World War II it was also adopted by Carpatho-Ukraine in March 1939.

On 24 July 1990, the first ceremonial raising of the Ukrainian national flag took place on Khreshchatyk, on the large flagstaff of the Kyiv City Council. Due to its central location, the street became the traditional place for political rallies.

Visit Khreshchatyk. It is an interesting street in Ukraine. The street is not merely a touristy destination but it is one of the best Kyiv city places to visit and buy interesting stuff. So what are you waiting for?

Nearest Metro Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Khreshchatyk
Address Khreschatyk Street, Kyiv, Ukraine
Open Every Day
How to Find Exit the metro and you will see the street in front of you

 

 

 

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