This 1965 retro postcard showcases the beginning of Lenin Street (now Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street) in Kyiv, featuring the distinctive silhouette of the Central Department Store.
What is shown on the postcard
In the foreground, a terrace with a decorative multi-globe lamppost and pedestrians is depicted. On the right rises the multi-story Central Department Store (TSUM) building, characterized by vertical glazing and a stepped corner tower. Soviet-era buses and passenger cars are visible on the roadway. The street lined with lush green trees climbs uphill in the background.
Historical note
During the Soviet period, Lenin Street (historically Kadetska and Fundukleivska, currently Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street) served as one of the city’s main central avenues. The TSUM building, constructed in the late 1930s in a constructivist style with Art Deco elements, was restored and expanded after World War II, establishing itself as a key architectural landmark at the intersection with Khreshchatyk.
Present day
Today, the street is named after Bohdana Khmelnytskoho. The TSUM building has retained its historic exterior facade, though it underwent a major interior reconstruction in the 2010s to become a modern shopping destination. The area remains one of the central nodes of public and business life in Ukraine’s capital.
Location (map)
Address: 2 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St, Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 50.444900, 30.519900
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the intersection of Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street and Khreshchatyk near the TSUM building.
Questions and answers
- What is the current name of Lenin Street in Kyiv depicted on the postcard? Currently, this street is named Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street.
- Which prominent building is shown on the right side of the postcard? The right side of the image features the Kyiv Central Department Store (TSUM).
- What architectural features of the TSUM building are visible in the photo? The building is distinguished by its vertical strip glazing on the facade and a characteristic stepped corner tower.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kyiv from 1965.
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