Monument to Bohdan Khmelnytskyi

The Monument to Bohdan Khmelnytskyi is a bronze statue honouring one of the most influential figures in Ukrainian history. Khmelnytskyi was the first Hetman of the Zaporozhian Host and is remembered as a gifted military leader and diplomat. He led successful campaigns against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, built strategic alliances, and was known for his education and command of several languages.

The monument stands on Sofiiska Square, where Kyiv residents once welcomed the hetman and his Cossacks after victorious battles. The sculpture captures Khmelnytskyi in motion, as if he has just reined in his horse in the middle of the square. According to local legend, once the statue was installed, people noticed that the horse was turned rather disrespectfully towards St Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, and was supposedly rotated as a result.

Today, the monument is covered by a protective structure for safety reasons.

Photo: Projector Institute