This 1986 Soviet postcard features a panoramic bird’s-eye view of the former Victory Square in Kyiv, highlighting the monumental obelisk.
What is shown on the postcard
The image shows the 40-meter pylon-obelisk ‘To the Hero City of Kyiv’, clad in white marble and topped with a gilded star. Symmetrically flanking the avenue are two residential buildings featuring ‘1941’ and ‘1945’ signs on their roofs. Along the avenue, green trees, Soviet-era cars, buses, and trams are visible.
Historical note
The memorial obelisk in honor of the Hero City was unveiled in 1982 during the celebration of Kyiv’s 1500th anniversary. The square where the monument stands was historically named Halytska Square. During the Soviet period (from 1952 to 2023), it was named Victory Square and served as a major transport hub.
Present day
In February 2023, the square was officially renamed back to its historical name, Halytska Square. As part of decommunization efforts in autumn 2023, the Soviet gilded star, the Order of Lenin image, and other Soviet ideological symbols were dismantled from the obelisk.
Location (map)
Address: Halytska Square (formerly Victory Square), Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 50.446820, 30.492290
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the memorial obelisk on Halytska Square in Kyiv.
Questions and answers
- How tall is the obelisk on the square? The obelisk is 40 meters tall and is clad in white marble.
- What is the current name of this square? The square has been restored to its historical name, Halytska Square.
- What recent changes were made to the monument? In autumn 2023, the Soviet star and other ideological elements were dismantled from the obelisk.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kyiv from 1986.
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