European Square, Kiev
European Square (Ukrainian: Європейська Площа, Yevropeys’ka Ploshcha) is a square situated in the Shevchenko Raion (district) of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The European Square is located in what is known as the Old Town (Stare Misto) or the Upper Town. It is located at the north-eastern end of the Khreschatyk, the city's main thoroughfare. Number of other streets connect to the square such as Tryokhsvyatytelska Street, Volodymyrskyi Descent, and Hrushevsky Street.
Former names
The square was known under at least nine different names during the last two hundred years.
- Originally, the square was called the Horse's Square (Konnaya Ploschad), because its location was used for horse trading.
- Тhe square was later called Theatre Square (Teatralnaya Ploschad) after the 1805–1806 construction of the first theater in Kiev by the architect Andriy Melensky located at the current place of Ukrainian House.
- In 1851, when the Yevropeysky Hotel was built to the designs of the architect Alexander Vikentievich Beretti, the square was officially renamed to European Square ('Yevropeyskaya Ploschad) — the name that was returned to in post-Soviet times.
- Between 1869 and 1919 the square was called Tsar Square (Tsarskaya Ploschad, due to the monument of Alexander II of Russia erected there). During that time the square was also referred to as Aleksandrovskaya for the same reason.
- In Soviet times the square was renamed Third International's Square (Ploshcha Tretioho Internatsionalu).
- Briefly during Nazi occupation it was named after Adolf Hitler.
- In 1944 the square was renamed Stalin Square (Stalinska Ploshchad).
- And in 1961, the square was named Ploscha Leninskoho Komsomolu or Lenin's Komsomol Square.
Attractions
External links