Pyrohiv open-air Museum in Kiev

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Description

Pyrohiv , also known as Pirogov (Russian: Пирого́в), originally a village south of Kiev, is a neighborhood in the southern outskirts of the Ukrainian capital city. It is now home to an outdoor Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine.

Although the origin of the toponym is uncertain, pyrohiv is genitive plural form of the Ukrainian word for pie.

Location

Archaeological evidence confirms that the territory of Pyrohiv has been settled at the times of the Bronze Age. Pyrohivka settlement was first mentioned in 1627, as a feudal domain of the Kievan Cave Monastery. The 1720 records mention the village of Pyrozhov. The territory was included within the Kiev administrative boundary in 1957.

Two modern streets now go along the historic road Pyrohiv way (Pyrohivs'kyi Shlyah): the Stolychne Shose (Capital Motorway) and Novopyrohivska (New Pyrohiv) Street..

Museum

The territory of historic Pyrohiv now serves as the location of a 1.5-square-kilometre (370-acre) outdoor Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine. Founded in 1969, the museum contains over 300 pieces of folk architecture brought here from all parts of Ukraine and carefully reassembled. The picturesque hill with several windmills is the museum centrepiece and the entire territory of the museum is divided into sectors, each representing the folk architecture and life of a specific Ukrainian region. The oldest church, situated in Pyrohiv, is Naddnipryanska, it is built in 1742. In the museum you can also find more than 40 000 items of household and traditional culture such as costumes, old textiles, embroidery, carpets, ceramics, metal handicrafts, woodwork and glass-ware as well as musical instruments, paintings and houseware.

Commoner's homes, buildings of small trade, commerce and local administration, and old wooden village churches contain authentic items that represent the everyday lifestyle of Ukrainian villagers and townsfolk. Local volunteers and modern Ukrainian artisans selling their wares dress in old-style clothes and demonstrate the use of authentic everyday items to visitors.

One of the main distinctive features of the museum is its theatrical performances and open-air celebrations dedicated to different folk holidays. Also in Pyrohiv you can often meet workers of the museum and visitors who are dressed in national costumes as well as those who are participating in ancient crafts like weaving, molding and others. In autumn and in summer holidays of folk crafts take place here. Blacksmiths, potters, weavers and other masters show their crafts to public and create works of art in front of your eyes.

Pyrohiv museum has been accorded the status of State Museum of Ukraine and is affiliated with the Institute of Arts, Folklore and Ethnology of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine.

To get to the museum from the underground station Demiivska take the trolley bus №11 or from the underground station Demiivska or Golosiivska the minibus taxi №172 and 156. The museum’s working hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are excursions for tourists in English, Ukrainian, Russian and German.

Recent controversies

In recent years, several of the museum's wooden buildings have been damaged by fires. The most recent fire on September 15, 2006 completely destroyed one house and seriously damaged two others. According to both Institute Director Hanna Skrypnyk and the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergencies, the fire was the result of arson, set to cover up the theft of a valuable collection of eighteenth-century cassoni which were exhibited in the burned building. Skrypnyk noted that in Soviet times the museum had a designated security group and fire house, which were disbanded after the Soviet collapse owing to negligence in financing on the part of the Ukrainian government.

The land usage in the vicinity of the museum has become the centre of scandal as the local authorities approved several commercial construction projects, including a luxurious high-rise entertainment complex and a gasoline filling station. The construction work for the former is now stalled due to the public outrage, but the work on building the filling station near the museum entrance has proceeded.

  • The entrance to the museum

  • Windmill

  • The windmill

  • The beehive

Street view

Reviews

11.10.2021 Michael
Excellent Museum we open air. The beauty is that in this Museum has transferred these houses from different parts of Ukraine, as is, with all the interior and stuff. In the houses you can enter during working hours, to feel the atmosphere of the time.
11.10.2021 Viktor
Pirogovo not require advertising. The Museum is just great, all the guests of Kiev and the Kiev recommend to go at least once. You need to go for the whole day, although it may not be enough for the whole Museum. I'm only the third time mastered the farthest corner of Carpathian hut. Although every time go there, find something new.
11.10.2021 Emily
Bring comfortable shoes and plan to spend the whole day there! You can bring your own packed lunch, but there are also many different food vendors throughout the museum's area. Great for kids and dogs are also welcome (make sure you clean up after your dog).

There are several little villages reconstructed from actual buildings for each of the major geographical regions of Ukraine. Complete with households furnished to match the place and time period. I'd love to go again and spend more time there!
11.10.2021 Aykut
Great place to see, take the cab inside, impossible to walk on foot due to size and land structure. Village style houses, churches, schools etc. The experience can last half a day easily
11.10.2021 Gerrit
Very interesting to see all the different types of architecture by region. Absolutely worth a visit. Rent a bike at the front and cycle rather than walk - it's definitely worth it.
11.10.2021 bryan
This is an easy uber ride to the outskirts of Kyiv and well worth spending a day. The park features architecture from all regions of Kyiv. There are vendors selling food, drink, folk musicians (some very good), and other special events. I went in the winter time and enjoyed it but am looking forward to getting back out here this summer.
10.10.2021 Anastasia
It's beautiful. Always worth a visit, but better in the warmer time of the year. Particularly noteworthy local workers: very spiritual people, they are a joy to meet the interested visitor, all tell and show. The player just wins the hearts.
10.10.2021 Andrii
A unique Museum under the open sky. To be around the whole area you need to come early in the morning.
10.10.2021 Vadim
Great place for hanging out, the area is large and varied, the impression that visited several villages. Mood much ruined the cafe in the house in the section of the Dnieper at a crossroads: try to feed boiled version of sour soup; about the service and the prices too good to say nothing. I do not advise anyone to go there.
10.10.2021 Dmitriy
On a personal place for a family walk. Fresh air, national traditions, culture and way of life. Have a place to take notes. It is possible on a bike. Scooter a is not worth taking - there is nowhere to go. Well, better to eat somewhere else. Many visitors are spoiled Rabotnicki local catering. Not to spoil the positive impression from this place, better go to the cafe side.
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