The “Versailles” Stairwell

The “Versailles” stairwell is often called the most elegant stairwell in Kyiv. It’s hidden inside an ordinary residential building in the Troieshchyna district, and at first glance, nothing seems unusual. But once you reach the fifth floor, it feels as if you’ve stepped inside a real palace.

The ceilings and walls are covered in ornate stucco with touches of gold and decorated with reproductions of world-famous paintings set in carved frames. Even the rubbish chute has been transformed into an antique-style column.

This space is the work of Volodymyr Chaika, a retired Kyiv resident who has been transforming the building on his own for over 20 years, turning it into a true work of art.

Today, the stairwell attracts both locals and city guests, curious to experience its sense of grandeur and briefly feel like palace owners themselves. The stairwell is closed to the public, so to get inside, you’ll need to wait until one of the residents comes in.

Photos: from the “hidden.kyiv” Instagram