If you want to see the real face of Kyiv—away from tourist trails and city crowds—join us on a walk through 7 secret courtyards and passages in the city center.
This route is for those who love discovering the unknown: quiet yards, old archways, unexpected sculptures, and atmospheric corners of the capital where history subtly intertwines with modern urban life.
Put on comfortable shoes, charge your phone for photos and videos—and set off to discover a Kyiv not everyone knows.
The Courtyard with a Wing on Kostolna Street
Before stepping into the archway, take a moment to admire the building's facade. It's one of the finest examples of early 20th-century Kyiv residential architecture in the rational modernist style. The walls host a gallery of figures: bird-sirens, doves, peacocks, snakes, grapevines, and even a panther.
Researchers interpret these symbols differently: some see references to the god Dionysus, others—to Christian motifs. Some believe it’s a kind of urban “Jungle Book”: on the third floor, you can spot a composition with a boy and animals.
In the courtyard itself, the main attraction is a small service wing. It may once have been a shed or icehouse—a place to store food in summer heat. Today, its door looks like the entrance to an apartment.
Address: 9 Kostolna St.
Courtyard with an Outbuilding on Kostolna Street
9 Kostyolna St.
The Courtyard with Mosaics on Tereshchenkivska Street
In the inner courtyard of the Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko National Museum of Arts, you can find numerous mosaics.
In the mid-20th century, the museum's then-director Vasyl Ovchynnikov worked on them. He personally designed every detail and invested not only his time but also his own money. It’s said Ovchynnikov started his days at 7 a.m. and didn’t leave the courtyard until late evening.
Since he wasn’t allowed to decorate the building’s facade with mosaics, the artist adorned the inner walls instead. That’s how this courtyard came to feature chestnut blossoms, a male portrait, an image of a mother and child, and a stork—making it one of the most atmospheric places on Tereshchenkivska Street.
Address: 17B Tereshchenkivska St.
Courtyard with Mosaics on Tereshchenkivska Street
17B Tereshchenkivska St.
The Courtyard with Adam and Eve
Near the “Yaroslavska Street” tram stop, there’s an archway with unusual decor—sculptures of Adam and Eve. At first glance, it’s clear: something special lies beyond this passage.
The courtyard is tidy and well-maintained—residents clearly take good care of it. The building entrances are decorated with ornamental stucco, and arches connecting this yard with neighboring ones add a cozy, enclosed feel. Almost the entire courtyard is entwined with grapevines, which in summer provide pleasant green shade.
This courtyard is a peaceful labyrinth where old Podil reveals itself in small details. You can exit straight onto Yaroslavska Street—as if stepping through backstage into another era.
Address: 24 Mezhyhirska St.
And if you’re craving more greenery and open space—save these park routes in Kyiv where you can take a breath after exploring urban corners.
Courtyard of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
This courtyard isn’t just a cozy spot—it’s a true historical core of Kyiv. In the 17th century, the estate belonged to noblewoman Halshka Hulevychivna. After her husband’s death, she donated the property for the founding of a monastery, school, and hospital—here in 1615 the Kyiv Brotherhood School was established, later becoming the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
The courtyard still features a sundial created by French mathematician Brulion, the old “Kitchen House”—considered part of Hulevychivna’s estate—the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the Antonovych family library building.
Address: 2 Skovorody St.
National University "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy"
2 H. Skovorody street, Kyiv
The Courtyard Behind the Intercontinental Hotel
Behind the modern facade of the Intercontinental Hotel hides a well-kept, quiet courtyard, where a surprising view opens onto one of Kyiv’s lesser-known shrines—the former house church of Alexander Nevsky.
This area once belonged to the Kyiv Real School; today it houses the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine. From the courtyard, you can clearly see the dome crowning the academy building—it belongs to the former church, which no longer functions as a temple but still preserves interiors with religious murals.
This courtyard is a prime example of how modern life in central Kyiv peacefully coexists with history, revealing details to those who look closely.
Address: 2 Velyka Zhytomyrska St.
The Courtyard on Khoryva with Podil Charm
This courtyard is a living reminder of early 20th-century Podil. In the second half of the 19th century, the land belonged to renowned lawyer and professor of St. Volodymyr University, Mykola Ivanyshev. The buildings we see today were constructed in 1901.
Back then, there were wallpaper workshops, a tinware shop, tailoring and shoe repair workshops, and even a small artificial mineral water factory.
Today, the courtyard retains real Podil flavor: wooden outdoor staircases lead to apartments, laundry dries on lines, and instead of tourist bustle there’s silence and the scent of old wood. The perfect place to feel Kyiv unfiltered.
Address: 18/10 Khoryva St.
Heavenly Hundred Memorial Square
This courtyard isn’t just a green nook in the city center—it’s a symbol of memory and community strength. In the late 19th century, the land belonged to doctor and Kyiv University professor Oleksandr Yatsenko.
In the 2000s, the land was sold into private hands and turned into an abandoned dump. But everything changed during the Revolution of Dignity: in February 2014, protesters dismantled the metal fence for barricades, and by spring volunteers had cleaned the area and planted trees together with the families of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.
On the facade of building No. 22B, Portuguese artist Vhils (Alexandre Farto) carved a striking portrait of Serhiy Nihoyan directly into the concrete. Today, the land officially belongs to the city, and the square has become a vital public space—and a quiet reminder of human dignity.
Address: entrance from Mykhailivska Square or 24 Mykhailivska St.
The square of Heavenly Hundred
24A, Mykhailivs'ka St, 24А, Kyiv, Ukraine, 02000
We also suggest pairing this walk with some street food: many of these courtyards are near great spots for hot dogs, onigiri, dumplings, and Kyiv-style cutlets. You can find tasty stops in our article “Spring Street Food Tour: 11 Kyiv Spots”.
