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Ukraine, a land of rich history, culture and endurance, has some incredible monuments that narrate the story of its tragic past together with its glorious heritage. From Kyiv’s golden-domed churches to Soviet war memorials and UNESCO sites, the monuments in Ukraine are a perfect combination for history enthusiasts, a true test of architectural muscles for architects, and an experience that every curious traveller should go through. These landmarks bring to life either the old cities or some less popular treasures; they are the soul of Ukraine and the enduring identity of its people.
13 Most Iconic Monuments In Ukraine
Here is the list of the most legendary monuments in Ukraine that reveal its rich history, cultural diversity, and architectural excellence.
1. Motherland Monument (Rodina Mat), Kyiv
Photo: Filipenko Igor / Wikimedia Commons
Motherland Monument, or Rodina Mat, is one of the most famous monuments in Ukraine, standing tall in Kyiv. The colossal stainless-steel statue stands 102 metres from ground level to sword point and is situated at the centre of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine during the Second World War. It was opened in 1981 and represents the Soviet victory in World War II and the power of the Ukrainian people. The monument features a woman holding the shield on which the Soviet emblem is painted in one hand and a raised sword in the other.
Entry Fee: ₴100 – 200 / ₹220 – 440
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
2. Saint Sophia’s Cathedral, Kyiv
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko / Wikimedia Commons
Saint Sophia Cathedral of Kyiv is one of Kyiv’s leading religious monuments in Ukraine and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral in its present form was built during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise in the 11th century, reflecting the Kyivan Rus architectural style. With its awesome Byzantine mosaics, medieval frescoes and an impressive central cupola that bears witness through the centuries. Considered to be an ambitious aspiration of the time to equal Hagia Sophia at Constantinople, it served as a cultural and religious epicentre for Orthodox Christianity from its early days.
Entry Fee: ₴100 / ₹220 for the complex; extra for bell tower
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
3. Lviv Historic Centre Ensemble
Photo: Lestat / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Lviv Historic Centre is a UNESCO site and also one of the top historical monuments in Ukrainian culture. This well-preserved section of Western Ukraine is a visual melting pot that demonstrates Lviv’s rich history, merging Eastern European, Italian and German architectural styles. The ensemble consists of Rynok Square, City Hall, Armenian Cathedral and Latin Rite Cathedral, as well as numerous half-timbered, Renaissance-Baroque-Neoclassical buildings. Lviv became one of the most important trading centres in the 13th century and a crossroad for Ukrainians, Polish, Armenians, and Jews.
Timings: 24*7
4. Potemkin Stairs, Odesa
Photo: Dezidor / Wikimedia Commons
As one of the most iconic monuments in Ukraine by appearance, the Potemkin Stairs in Odesa possess an optical illusion and are historically significant. Originally commissioned between 1837 and 1841, these stunning steps link the Odesa seaport to the city centre. A staircase designed by Italian architect Francesco Boffo offers an optical illusion: at the bottom, only the steps are visible; from the top, only the landings can be seen. The stairs originally had 200 steps; now, they have 192 because of the expansion of the ports. The site, named after the battleship Potemkin uprising of 1905, became internationally known through Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 silent movie Battleship Potemkin.
Timings: 24*7
5. Taras Shevchenko Monument, Kharkiv
Photo: Іван марущенко / Wikimedia Commons
The Taras Shevchenko Monument in Kharkiv, one of the largest and most artistically important monuments in Ukraine, is located close to Shevchenko Park and Kharkiv National University, which was named after Ukraine’s greatest poet and cultural figure, Taras Shevchenko. The bronze statue was erected in 1935 and serves as a powerful tribute to Shevchenko, who is revered as Ukraine’s national poet. Commissioned by famous sculptor Matvei Manizer, the monument has Shevchenko standing over 16 meters tall with sixteen more figures from different periods of Ukrainian history and literature around.
Timings: 24*7
6. Golden Gate Of Kyiv
Photo: George Chernilevsky / Wikimedia Commons
The Golden Gate of Kyiv is a historical monument and the former main gate to the ancient city. It was originally constructed as a city entrance in 1037 during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise. The Golden Gate was based on the Golden Gate in Constantinople and acted as both a defence system and a ceremonial entryway. The Golden Gate we see today is a 20th-century reconstruction built on top of the original ruins of the gate, which are preserved inside the structure today. It allows visitors to see Kyivan Rus’ architecture and artefacts from early medieval defences that influenced local defences and the city’s history.
Entry Fee: ₴80 / ₹175
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (closed on Mondays)
7. Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument, Kyiv
Photo: George Chernilevsky / Wikimedia Commons
Kyiv’s Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument is one of the most famous monuments in the city of Kyiv. Bohdan Khmelnytsky was a 17th-century Hetman credited for leading the Cossack uprising against Polish oppression. The Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument is located in Sofiyska Square, adjacent to Saint Sophia Cathedral. The monument was opened in 1888 and was constructed by the sculptor Mikhail Mikeshin. The bronze statue shows Khmelnytsky on horseback and confidently pointing forward, representing the idea of leadership and national unity. The statue has a granite pedestal that was planned to incorporate defeated enemies as sculpted elements, but political representation challenged the development of the statue.
Timings: 24*7
8. Kyiv Founders Monument
Photo: Roman Andriiashik / Wikimedia Commons
The Kyiv Founders Monument, also known as the Founders of Kyiv monument, is an impressive statue situated on the banks of the Dnipro River in Navodnytsky Park. The monument was unveiled in 1982 in honour of the 1500th anniversary of Kyiv, and it honours the mythological founders of Kyiv: the brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and sister Lybid. The bronze figures are standing on a stylised boat, with Lybid at the front of the boat, illustrating the concept of unity and the vision and beginning of the capital of Ukraine.
Timings: 24*7
9. Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Photo: IanChristopherWeston / Wikimedia Commons
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, known as Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, is a historic Orthodox Christian monastery established in 1051 by the monks Anthony and Theodosius in Kyiv, Ukraine. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered sacred by the Ukrainians and a religious monument dating back to the Baroque and Byzantine ages. The Lavra consists of upper and lower areas, the latter with underground caves that shelter mummified monks and holy relics. Among the more notable features of the monastery are the Great Lavra Bell Tower and the Dormition Cathedral. It continues to be one of the greatest centres of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and monasticism.
Entry Fees: ₴80 – 130 / ₹168 – 273
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
10. Volodymyr The Great Monument
Photo: Xsandriel / Wikimedia Commons
The Volodymyr the Great Monument is a prominent historical-artistic site in Kyiv, dedicated to Prince Volodymyr (Vladimir) the Great, who reigned in Kyivan Rus in the latter part of the 10th century and is generally held responsible for the Christianisation of the region in 988 AD. The monument, set on a hill overlooking the Dnipro River, was erected in 1853 as a symbol of the Christian heritage deeply rooted in Ukraine. The bronze monument shows Volodymyr holding a big Christian cross, emphasising his efforts to spread Christianity.
Timings: 24*7
11. Adam Mickiewicz Monument, Lviv
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko / Wikimedia Commons
Being a cultural and historical landmark, the Adam Mickiewicz Monument is indeed significant for Ukraine. The monument was unveiled on October 30, 1904, consisting of a 21-metre-high column designed by a Polish sculptor, Antoni Popiel, standing proudly in one of the most central locations in Lviv – Mickiewicz Square. The monument consists of a bronze statue of Mickiewicz with the winged figure of the Genius of Poetry holding a lyre at its base, symbolising the eternal influence of Mickiewicz in literature. The gilded flame atop the column symbolises everlasting inspiration.
Timings: 24*7
12. Monument To Orange
Photo: Yuriy Kvach / Wikimedia Commons
The Monument to Orange stands as an enchantingly unique marker on Viiskovo Morskykh Syl Boulevard in Odesa, Ukraine. The monument honours a rather curious local lore of the late 18th century, when a shipment of oranges was crucial in gaining funding for the construction of the Odesa port. As told, a merchant sent oranges to Emperor Paul I, convincing him to allow the completion of the port, which helped greatly in the growth of Odesa as a key trade centre. The monument features a colourful sculpture of orange fruit to represent that historic event..
Timings: 24*7
13. Princess Olha Monument
Photo: Milana Sribniak / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Princess Olha Monument in Kyiv stands as a powerful tribute to one of the most dominant leaders in the history of Kievan Rus’. The monument, situated in St Michael’s Square, is dedicated to Princess Olha, the first known female leader of the area and the first to become a Christian. The statue of Princess Olha is at the centre, as well as statues of Apostle Andrew and Saints Cyril and Methodius, representing the spiritual and cultural conversion she initiated. Unveiled in 1911, the monument was destroyed during the Soviet period but was restored in 1996 with marble and granite.
Timings: 24*7
Not only are the monuments in Ukraine breathtaking to look at, but they also form an important part of the country’s history, culture and pride. You can explore the history of poetry, pass through old walls or remember those who fought; each monument is special in its own way. You can tour Ukraine’s landmarks with TripXL and access travel tips and a curated experience that tells the history behind them. Let the spirit of Ukraine steer you through the incredible monuments.
Cover Photo: Качанов Сергій / Wikimedia Commons
