Pirogovo is an open-air museum of folk architecture and folkways of Ukraine. The museum is situated in Golosiivsky region of Kiev, in the area where old village used to be.
When you’re going to visit Pirogovo you should be ready to spend there almost whole day – territory of the museum is huge.
Pirogovo is kind of a time machine. You can see with your own eyes households and architecture of all Ukrainian regions the way it was couple of centuries ago. By visiting Pirogovo you make it possible to see all interesting places and regions of Ukraine in just one day. You have perfect opportunity to look into everyday life of Ukrainian people of 17th – 20th centuries from within and to examine articles of daily use.
The museum represents open-air exposition of ethnographical regions of Ukraine. There are more than 300 constructions and buildings on the territory of Pirogovo, which symbolize its own regions and a phase of history of Ukraine. One of the main distinctive features of the museum is its theatrical performances and open air celebrations dedicated to different folk holidays. Also in Pirogovo you can often meet workers of the museum and visitors who are dressed in national costumes as well as those who are participating in ancient crafts like weaving, molding and others. Also in Pirogovo you can enjoy folk Ukrainian music.
Open-air museum of folk architecture and folkways of Ukraine was opened in 1976 and its exposition has been formed since 1969. Territory of the museum is 150 ha. The center of Pirogovo is a group of mills that are situated on a hill. The oldest church, which is situated in Pirogovo, is Naddnipryanska, it is built in 1742. In the museum you can also find more then 40 000 items of household and traditional culture such as costumes, old textiles, embroidery, carpets, ceramics, metal handicrafts, woodwork and glass-ware as well as musical instruments, paintings and houseware.
In autumn and in summer holidays of folk crafts take place. Blacksmiths, potters, weavers and other masters show their crafts to public and create works of art in front of your eyes. Near the museum you can enjoy traditional Ukrainian cuisine in restaurants “Fragrant stove”, “Cheers!” and “Fortress Hetman”.
It is absolutely fine to go to Pirogovo not to see its artifacts, but mostly to relax and have some rest. Pirogovo is a perfect place to spend a weekend with your friends or family, to enjoy healthy and delicious food, to listen to folk songs and to dance.
In Pirogovo you can buy items made by modern folk masters, which can be a perfect souvenir for your friends or for yourself as a memory from your Kiev tour. This type of hand-made souvenir may be really special and unique and you will appreciate it a lot.
Pirogovo is a perfect place for you to celebrate traditional folk holidays, as there are always some festivities, music, dances and huge amount of people. Pirogovo has its unique atmosphere that makes you relaxed and happy. Children love to spend their time there too, as there are a lot of space for them to run, play and have fun and also a lot of interesting old buildings, people wearing ancient traditional clothing and playing musical instruments that they have never seen before.
You can get to the museum from the underground station Demiivska and then by trolley bus №11 or from the underground station Demiivska or Golosiivska by minibus taxi №172 and 156.
The museum’s working hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are excursions for tourists in English, Ukrainian, Russian and German.