Jewish Heritage in Kyiv Private Tour

3-hour private Jewish Heritage Tour starts with the hotel pick up, once you meet your friendly expert guide, who will introduce you to the versatile history of the Jewish community of Kyiv.

Is it believed, that Jews have been living in Kyiv almost from the foundation of the city. However, the Jewish community in Kyiv has gone through different times – from exile to prosperity. In the 15th-18th centuries, there were few Jews in Kyiv, who lived mainly in the Podil district, far from the city center, and were engaged in crafts.

Nevertheless, in the 19th century the population of the Jews in Kyiv increased significantly and made important contribution to the development of the city. Among the innovations, introduced by the wealthy Jewish merchants and patrons we should mention the first electric tram line, development of artesian water supply and Dnipro River shipping.

Many buildings in Kyiv were built on money of Jewish patrons, including Bessarabsky indoor market, Brodsky Choral Synagogue and the building of the Kyiv Polytechnic University.

With your expert guide, discover the monument to a famous Jewish poet Sholem Aleichem, who used to live and work in Kyiv, and a memorial plaque on the house, where prime minister of Israel Golda Meir was born.

Our tour won’t be complete without mentioning the most terrifying and tragic page in the history of the Jewish community – a tragedy of the Babiy Yar. During the Second World War, in September 1941, more than 33 thousands of Jews, including the children, were shot dead in the ravine. This is one of the most terrible and large-scale assassination in the history of a mankind. You will see monuments to the innocent victims of the Babiy Yar, which remind us that such tragedies must never take place again in the future.

After the tour, your driver will take you back to your hotel or to the city center, where you will have a free time.