Ukrainians started talking about Kyiv's Mount Shchekavytsia two years ago, when putin was actively threatening with nuclear weapons. And while the proposal for the mountain was quite ironic and daring at the time, today Kyiv residents are proposing to create a public garden on this iconic location. Let's find out what is so unusual about Shchekavytsia and what events this place is associated with

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Mount Shchekavytsia is a unique place that has a sacred meaning for the Ukrainian people for several reasons. And now Kyiv residents are proposing to create a public garden here so that citizens, lovers of Kyiv's history, and tourists alike have the right conditions for comfortable walks around the location.

The corresponding petition has been posted on the Kyiv City Council's e-petition website. You can sign it by following this link.

But what is so special about Shchekavytsia and why this place really has a unique history, we will tell you in the article below.

Orgy in Shchekavytsia: a legendary response to russian nuclear threats

First of all, it should be said that Shchekavytsia attracted special attention in 2022, when putin was actively blackmailing the world with a nuclear strike on the territory of Ukraine. Instead of despairing, Ukrainians decided to organize an orgy on Mount Shchekavytsia to watch the nuclear explosion from above and in a pleasant atmosphere.

It should be noted that this proposal by the Ukrainians outraged russia. At the time, some russian officials even complained about the "reaction of Ukrainians" on live TV. For example, russian State Duma deputy Alexei Zhuravlev said that Ukrainian citizens are strange people who do the opposite and added that this is a problem because they are no longer afraid.

"That is, we say to them: "Guys, what are you doing? Be careful. We have a concept that we can liberate our territories as we see fit.' And they say: "Great! Where is the highest mountain? Let's book a place and have orgies there! Unfortunately, they are no longer afraid. Strange people!" he said angrily.

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History and legends about Shchekavytsia: why is this place unique?

In general, Shchekavytsia is one of the five Bald Mountains in the capital of Ukraine, which is one of the most mystical places in Kyiv and an archaeological mystery. And although this location is almost in the center of the city (from the mountain you can see the entire Podil district in the palm of your hand), there are many legends associated with this place. 

One of the legends mentions Shchekavytsia as the mountain on which Shchek, one of the three brothers who founded Kyiv, "sat". According to another version, it was on the slope of Shchekavytsia that a viper bit the Kyivan prince Rurikovych, the Prophetic Oleg, who climbed the mountain to the bones of his horse. According to legend, he was buried there, and Oleh's grave was located in the place where the old observatory now stands.   

In addition, historians have not yet determined the origin of the mountain's name, and there are several hypotheses. Some explain the name as derived from the Slavic word "cheek," meaning a steep or steep river bank. Others link the name to the word "chekot" or "cheek", which is interpreted as a nightingale. 

Historians also argued for a long time about the theory that the capital of the Gothic state of Germanarich (IV century), Danprtstadir, was once located on the Shchekavytsia. However, modern experts have criticized this version, although they have not been able to completely refute it.

As for the facts, a large number of archaeological sites and settlements have been discovered between Shchekavytsia and the neighboring mountain Horovytsia (which is attributed to another brother of Kyiv's founder, Horus). The findings date back to different periods, from the Paleolithic to the Roman Empire. Also on the top of the mountain once stood a fortress where Ukrainian Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi held defense against moscow troops.

Later, after the plague epidemic, a central cemetery was created on this site, and a church and a bell tower appeared here a little later. However, as part of the 1935 master plan of the Kyiv City Council, according to which a recreation area was to be created on the hill, the cemetery and church were destroyed. Today, the site of the shrine is occupied by a radio tower that was built in 1951.

The mountain was transformed into a landscape reserve only in 2020, but there is still a struggle for some of the surrounding areas, in particular because of uncontrolled development.

And if you want to learn more about the mystical locations of Ukraine, book tours through the largest database of tours in Ukraine on the Visit Ukraine portal. Here you will find a tour for every taste: from a walk through the mysterious dungeons of Kyiv to exploring the criminal past of Odesa.

For more information, please contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).

We remind you! The date of the official opening of the Mezhyhiria Park-Monument is planned to be announced in the near future. The opening is expected to attract significant interest from the public and tourists, as Mezhyhiria is of great historical importance and is associated with various stages of Ukrainian history. Read more about where the proceeds from ticket sales will go and how to visit the park-monument in our previous article.