Kontraktova Square

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Coordinates: 50.463911° N 30.518228° E

View of the former Greek Monastery on the Kontraktova Square of the Podil neighborhood.

Kontraktova Square a.k.a. Kontraktovaya Square (Ukrainian: Контрактова площа, translit.: Kontraktova ploscha; Russian: Контрактовая площадь, translit.: Kontraktovaya ploschad’; literally: Square of Contracts) is a square in the historic, commercial Podil (Podol) neighborhood in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.

It is located in between the Andriyivskyy Descent, Petro Sahaidachnyi, Pokrivs’ko, Florivs’ka, Prytis’ko-Mykil’ska, Kostiantynivs’ka, Mezhyhirs’ko, Spas’ko, Skovorody Hryhoryia and Il’yns’ka streets. The square is known since the times of Kievan Rus' as an important part of the Podil commercial neighborhood. After the construction of the Contract's House on the square and the permanent changing of the square as a trading center to the one where contracts were signed in the end of the 18th century, the square received its current name. During 1748-1749, the Fountain of Samson was built to a design by Ukrainian architect Ivan Hryhorovych-Barskyi.

The Gostiny Dvor building located on the square.

The name Kontraktova dates back to the 1800s^{[citation needed]}, when merchants set up shops and signed contracts on the square. The square was renamed several times during its history: between 1869-1919, the square was named Aleksandrovskaya Square (Alexander Square) in honour of the Russian emperor Alexander II; between 1919-1944 - Krasnaya Square (Red Square), dedicated to Communism; between 1945 and the 1950s, it was renamed back to Kontraktova, although Krasnaya continued to be widely used; in 1990, the original name was re-established.

Today, the Kiev tram, once an important transportation system in Kiev, has tracks that run through the Kontraktova Square. However, tram line service through the Kontraktova Square may be discontinued. The square is often used for various outdoor public festivities, including music concerts and fairs, while the Petro Sahaidachnyi street which leads to the square is limited to only pedestrians.

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