Mystical and dangerous Kyiv: top places that should only be visited with a guide

Kyiv is a city with a centuries-old history, where legends intertwine with reality. Discover the most mystical places of the capital - abandoned tunnels, mountains with dark energy, legendary cemeteries and haunted buildings. Find out about excursions, facts and locations that are truly frightening

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Kyiv is an ancient city that has turned into a modern metropolis with a developed infrastructure and many tourist routes. However, behind the facade of the dynamic capital, there are locations that still scare even the most curious. Abandoned prisons, underground tunnels, mountains with a sinister history, creepy houses and cemeteries about which legends are spread. Here is a selection of the most mystical places in Kyiv that will definitely not leave even the most experienced tourists indifferent.

Lysa Hora (Lysogorsky Fort)

Lysa Hora is one of the most mystical places in Kyiv, shrouded in legends since the time of Khan Batu. It is said that residents who tried to hide from attackers were walled up here. During the reign of Peter I, serfs were executed en masse here, and later gallows were set up for "state criminals". They say that the mountain still "has not let go" of the souls of the dead. In the 20th century, it began to be considered a geopathogenic zone.

Nowadays, Lysa Hora has almost the same appearance as it did hundreds of years ago. There is a pagan temple on it, altars for offerings are arranged, and a huge statue of Perun is placed, which looks in all 4 directions at the same time.

People come here in search of ghosts and apparitions. Also, according to legend, it is on Lysa Hora that witches gather.

- Address: Lysohirska st., Vydubychi metro station.

- What is interesting: Night tours, pagan altars, a 600-year-old oak.

Zamkova Hora (Khorevytsia)

Zamkova Hora (Khorevytsia) is another “bald mountain” of Kyiv, which is located in the city center. In the 19th century, there was a cemetery of the aristocracy here, which only added to its mystical glory. According to legend, witches' sabbats were held here, and the pagan temple still preserves the remains of ancient burials.

- Address: Andriyivskyi Uzviz, 20-B.

- What is interesting: ancient crosses, energy rituals.

Chorna Gora

In the very heart of the Pechersk district of Kyiv is another of the most mysterious locations of the capital - Chorna Gora. Its name itself already evokes an ominous atmosphere, which is perfectly complemented by the neighborhood with other mystical heights - Lysa and Busovaya Gora. Together, these three hills form a kind of Kyiv mystical triangle - a place where, according to legend, energies, forces and legends are intertwined.

- Location: Pechersk district, near Buslivska and Solovtsova streets, between Lysa Gora and the Grishko Botanical Garden.

Underground prison of the NKVD

Photo – https://oktv.ua/

The underground prison of the NKVD was discovered by chance – during the construction of an elite residential complex in the Pechersk district. It turned out that prison dungeons with tunnels, halls, acid tanks and carts for transporting bodies are hidden under the Kyiv Fortress. All the secrets of the discovery of the prison have not been revealed to this day, so this is truly the most sinister dungeon of Pechersk.

- Address: territory of the Kyiv Fortress, Hospitalna Street, 24.

Tunnels under the Dnieper

The tunnels under the Dnieper are part of an ambitious but unrealized Stalinist project – an underground connection of the two banks across the Dnieper. 12,000 people worked on the secret project. However, an accident occurred during construction in 1941, followed by World War II, so work on the project was suspended.

Nowadays, it is a series of abandoned tunnels, some of which are flooded. They have a mysterious atmosphere and are popular among urban explorers.

- Locations: Zhukiv Ostrov, Obolon (Title No. 10), Osokorky (Title No. 2).

“Radykal” Factory

The former chemical plant has become perhaps the most dangerous abandoned location in Kyiv. A high level of mercury pollution has been recorded here, even today. The territory is eerie - with scattered reagents, metal debris and the remains of laboratories. Fans of “abandoned” places should avoid the place, because the level of mercury pollution here is extremely high.

- Address: 61 Chervonotkatska St. (near Lisova metro station).

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Baykov Cemetery

Baykov Cemetery is a cemetery that has been operating for over 150 years and hides hundreds of legends. Outstanding figures are buried here, as well as ghosts, which are told by guides. During World War II, Jews hid here from the occupiers, and the crypts were often used as shelters.

Now Baykov Cemetery is an outstanding monument of Ukraine that is worth visiting. Today, the cemetery offers not only ancient crypts, but also pompous monuments to modern figures.

- Address: 6 Baykova St.

- What's interesting: ancient crypts, legends about ghosts, excursions.

- Recommendation: visit only during the day as part of a group.

Richard the Lionheart's Castle

The building appeared on Andriyivskyi Uzviz at the beginning of the 20th century and immediately received the informal name - "Richard the Lionheart's Castle". Previously, it was decorated with copies of the chimeras of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, but during World War II they were taken out by a German officer.

The building is considered one of the most mystical places in Kyiv, because even today you can hear mysterious and strange sounds here.

- Address: Andriyivskyi Uzviz, 15.

Abandoned psychiatric hospital

The psychiatric hospital building was built before the collapse of the USSR in Kirillovsky Grove, but was never completed. Now it is a dangerous area, where winds walk on the destroyed floors. The floor and walls are sagging, there are no railings and ceilings. There have even been fatalities here.

- Address: Vrubelovsky Descent.

Sulymivka - a haunted house

Photo - https://tykyiv.com/

The Sulymi Manor is a rare example of Kyiv mysticism from the 19th century. According to legend, the owner died during construction and began to “appear” to his relatives after death. Then the house was used as a shelter for orphans who were afraid of the “Sulymivka ghost”. The estate burned down several times, and the story remains unsolved.

- Address: st. Luteranska, 16.

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Green Theater

The half-ruined amphitheater on Parkova dorozh attracts adventure seekers, informals and... ghosts. Unknown sounds can be heard in the walls of the theater, even when the place is empty. In winter, the theater becomes especially eerie.

- Address: Parkova dorozh, 2

- What is interesting: legends about ghosts, a great place for mystical photos.

House with chimeras

One of the most famous architectural masterpieces of Kyiv, decorated with bizarre figures. Many legends are associated with this house - about the death of the architect's daughter, his madness and the symbolism of the facade. In fact, the girl belonged to another family, but the story about the underwater kingdom has firmly taken root.

- Address: st. Bankova, 10.

Gargoyle on Zhytomyrska

Photo – https://the-city.kiev.ua/

On the facade of the house on Velyka Zhytomyrska St., 8 – a gargoyle that “guards” the room where the owner of the house held spiritualistic sessions. This decorative element still arouses interest among mystics.

- Address: Velyka Zhytomyrska St., 8.

Kyiv is a city of not only historical monuments and cozy cafes. Here at every step – shadows of the past, urban legends and unsolved secrets. If you want to truly experience the city, try to touch its darker side, but always with reason, respect for history and accompanied by a reliable guide.

The most mystical locations of Kyiv are waiting for you – the secrets of dungeons, witch mountains, ghosts of ancient estates and much more unknown. Discover the dark side of the capital with professional guides.

Book mystical tours of Kyiv now at Visit Ukraine and immerse yourself in an unforgettable world of legends, energies and mysteries.

Reminder! The new exhibition at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life in Pirogov is an opportunity to see and learn more about Crimean Tatar culture. The creation of the exhibition is an important step towards preserving historical memory and reviving a unique heritage that should return to Ukraine after the end of the war. We have already told you what interesting things the museum has prepared for its visitors.

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