Kiev park "Theophany": history and sights

Park "Theophany", photo of which decorates almost all tourist guidebooks around Kiev, is one of the important sights of the Ukrainian capital. Maybe it is not a "masculine", like Independence Square, Vladimir Gorka or the Pechersk Lavra. But if you decided to spend a couple of days in Kiev, then you need to go to Theophany. Especially for visiting the park is favorable spring and summer time.

Shady alleys, leafy gazebos, and flower beds create a cozy atmosphere. You completely forget that next to it is a millionaire city. Visiting Feofania and pilgrims is very valuable, because there are several miraculous sources on its territory. How to visit this beautiful oasis of nature in Kiev - read this article.

History

The territory on which the modern park "Feofaniya" is located was first mentioned in the chronicle, dated 1471. It was then called Lazarivshchina - by the name of a pious elder holding an apiary here. In the sixteenth century, this site belonged to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, and then it was acquired by the Kiev Metropolitan Peter Mogila. His successor Sylvester Kosov (1647-1657) transferred the land to the ownership of the Sophia Monastery. Only in 1776 the property was withdrawn from the domain of the church and transferred to the state treasury. But in 1802 the land was again given to the clergy. Bishop Theophanes of Kyiv built here a summer residence and the St. Michael Church. Then this territory and began to be called by the name of its owner. Until 1930 there was a monastery here. For a long time there was a boarding school and a cooperative farm, until in 1972 these grounds became a monument of landscape art.

Where is the park "Theophany" (Kiev), how to get there

This recreational zone is located on the south-western outskirts of the city. When you visit the park, be ready to walk up and down, as it occupies the mountainous, gutted Feofanovskaya gully. In this part of the city, several fixed-route taxis run from the center. Number 548 departs from Bessarabskaya Square, passing along Gorky Street and the Lybidskaya metro station. You can also take bus number 172. She leaves the Leningradskaya Square and follows the metro station "Friendship of Peoples" and "Lybidskaya", and also passes VDNH.

If you are going to visit the park "Feofaniya" in the summer weekend, how to get there must be informed in advance. On weekends, the mentioned minibuses travel to VDNKh ("Pirogovo") only. Therefore, you should get off at the "Metrological Street" stop and walk to the church of St. Panteleimon. It is located at the address: Academician Lebedev Street, 19. In fact, it is already a park. Examine the cathedral and the monastery, and then turn right and go down a bit.

The Feofaniya Park in Kiev: cost

Despite the fact that this place has the status of a monument of garden art since 1972, for a long time the entrance to it was free. But it was hard for the city authorities to maintain such a huge territory. Therefore, since 2012, the entrance fee has been charged. Be ready to fork out for an adult for ten hryvnia and five for a child. Kievans, for whom "Theophany" - a favorite place for rest and picnics, get a monthly subscription. It costs fifty hryvnia. Pensioners, invalids, veterans of war and ATU are free to enter. The administration of the park provides different services for money. So, for a tour in Ukrainian, English or Russian languages you will be asked 120 UAH for a wedding photo session - 250, and for organizing a banquet or corporate - a thousand hryvnia. The park is open until eleven in the evening.

Healing Sources

Since monasteries were located in these places for a long time, it is not surprising that some keys that beat from the slopes of the gully were declared miraculous. And now many tourists from different parts of the country and even abroad visit the park "Feofaniya" not to admire the beautiful nature or to have a picnic, but to go on a pilgrimage trail and have a bath.

There are more than ten sources here. The most popular among pilgrims are "Tears of Our Lady". The water in this source is brackish. After all, this is the way to tears.

A little further there is another key, equipped for a bathing place. The water in it does not rise above + 8 degrees in the summer heat. But in winter the key does not freeze. Nearby there are cabins for changing clothes. The priests recommend to immerse themselves in the font three times, to cross the same number of times and read the prayer. Also you need not forget to drink from the keys of Saint Nicholas, Michael, Panteleimon and the Blessed Virgin.

Attractions of nature

Park "Theophany" is an amazing mixture of natural and man-made landscapes. Sometimes it seems that you are in a virgin forest, and sometimes on all sides surrounded by alpine hills, curtains, rosaries and gazebos among the fountains. In the park there is also a cascade of lakes that inhabit waterfowl. On the territory there are ancient oaks, which are more than three hundred years old. Specialists of the botanical garden monitor the safety of design and the filling of species diversity. Several times a year, flower beds and curtains are planted with seasonal flowers.

Historical places of interest

Park "Feofaniya" is interesting for lovers of antiquity. The church of St. Panteleimon was returned to the church community in 1990, and now it has become a monastery. This temple impresses with its appearance and interior decoration. The farmstead of the academician Palladin, president of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, has been preserved on the territory of the park. The core of the architectural ensemble of the central part of the park is the Rodovid fountain. In his work, music and the dance of water jets are synchronized.