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Castle of Richard-the-Lion-Heart

Castle of Richard the Lionheart

For many centuries the city of Kyiv is well known for its heritages of Ukrainian and world culture. On the streets of modern Kyiv, among European skyscrapers, you can surely see ancient buildings and structures. The Castle of Richard-the-Lion-Heart is a pride of Andriyivskyi Descent. After all, the Kyivans can tell you many different mysteries and legends about this place.

History of the Castle of Richard-the-Lion-Heart is quite interesting and dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. At that time the city experienced a period of urban development. An industrial magnate Dmytro Orlov, having aimed to become a respectable citizen of Kyiv, has decided to build a castle. In the future he wanted to hire the rooms of this building. The contractor bought a plot of land in the centre of the city on the hill with a romantic name Khohana, presently known as Andriyivskyi Descent. To attract guests the building should have had an unusual style. The idea of ​​a medieval castle was "borrowed" by Orlov from an architect Robert Marfeld. Building lasted four years under the direction of Krauss, and by the year of 1905 the castle was ready. Although the building attracted tenants, they did not stay there for a long time. There were rumours that the castle was inhabited by ghosts. Loud wild laughter, groans and howling were heard there. These stories attracted the attention of Kyiv's bohemian, so they settled in the "dark" castle. Ukrainian artists used to live there: Fotiy Krasytskyi, Ivan Makushenko, Gregory Diadchenko, sculptor Fedir Balavenskyi. On the upper floors of the building their workshops were situated, where artists could overlook a magnificent view of the left bank of Kyiv.

According to one of versions, a Soviet writer Viktor Nekrasov gave the name to the castle in honour of a simple but courageous man, Richard Yuriovych. Richard rescued Jews in the cellars of the castle during the World War II. Later, Nekrasov started calling this building Castle of Richard, Richard the Lion-Heart. According to another version, the castle is named after an English king, hero of the novel Ivanhoe. This is not surprising, because the Castle of Richard-the-Lion-Heart was decorated in British Neo-Gothic style. In addition, it features a variety of steeples, towers and battlements. Virtually, every room is entered through the balcony, spiral staircase, or an annex. Main fortress tower you can climb with help of a secret spiral staircase hidden in the walls of the castle, and the patio can be reached by cloister stairs.

While being in Kyiv, be sure to visit the Castle of Richard-the-Lion-Heart. It is located on 15, Andriyivskyi Descent, where you can get by the subway, going to Kontraktova ploshia Station, after you should pass Samson Fountain. You can also get there from Poshtova ploshia Station, then go up the funicular to Mykhailivskyi Square and going along Volodymyrska Street get to Andriyivskyi Descent.

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