Kyiv is a joy for sightseers. And now, so you don’t miss any of the sites, one group is offering free city tours. Students from Taras Shevchenko National University have decided to help visitors find the capital’s most interesting sites. UATV journalists took a walk with them on tour of Kontraktova Square.

Visitors of the capital are ready to start their walk. And the students of the Taras Shevchenko University are ready to be their tour guides. Today they’re showing off Kontraktova Square.

Yulia, Student

We walk to sites, in general, Kontraktova Square itself, the monument to Hryhoriy Skovoroda, Kyiv Mohyla Academy, the Contracts House, the Samson Fountain, and the monument to Petro Sahaydachnyi.

Yulia and Darya are sophomores. But they already know the history of the Square perfectly. For example, the Contracts House operated as a trade fair for 100 years — from 1817 until the October Revolution.

Darya, Student

The Contracts House was the place where all the bourgeois and nobility got together. As contract fairs were held there; different contracts and agreements were executed… Manufacturers and craftsmen from all over the world came here and brought goods for sale.

The famous Samson Fountain is nearby. It is believed that the first swimming pool was constructed at this exact place during the Kyivan Rus period. And at the center, a sculpture of the biblical character Samson erected in the middle of the 18th century.

Darya, Student

There are a lot of beliefs related to the fountain. Earlier people set birds free here. They attracted luck into their lives in this way. They say if you drink some water from the fountain, you’ll stay in Kyiv forever.

A little further away is Pyrohoshcha Church, which was built in the 12th century the son of Volodymyr Monomakh reigned. The church is still operating.

Pyrohoshcha Church

Yulia, Student

In fact, this church has been the most important Orthodox church in Podil district of all time. A school, hospital, and orphanage were located here.

Guests from Lithuania listen attentively to the young tour guides. And they certainly have a lot to say about the experience.

Ramute, Tourist from Lithuania

Lovely! It’s the second day, and everything is lovely. It was very interesting to hear about the first swimming pool, the church; and to listen to the story about the academy on the square. Well, everything is interesting.

Kyiv Mohyla Academy

The Kyiv Mohyla Academy has attracted the tourists’ attention. The academy was founded by Metropolitan Petro Mohyla in the 17th century. Some of the most famous Ukrainians have attended. The great Ukrainian philosopher Hryhoriy Skovoroda is even a graduate and inspires philosophy students to this day. A monument to him was built 30 years ago.

This monument to Skovoroda is really taken care of by the Kyiv Mohyla Academy students. Every year on October 14, on the academy’s anniversary, they clean the monument, making a show out of it. And before the session, they come here to touch the Skovoroda’s shoe for good luck.

Then there’s beautiful Andriyivskyi Descent, starting near the monument to Skovoroda on Kontraktova Square. This street is like a museum full of ancient legends, mysticism and Kyiv spirit. But this is a completely different story.