Address: 20-30, I. Mazepa Str., Kiev
Phone: +38 (044) 2285225.

Opening Hours: 10:00 - 19:00
Closed on Monday

This Museum Complex was planned as the most widespread museum and exhibition place in Kiev and in Ukraine. It is situated in the building of Old Arsenal – distinguished monument of history and fortification of the end of XVIII – beginning of XIX century. Officially it was opened on August 23, 2009. Exhibitions of different content take place here, in Arsenal; items from all museums of Ukraine are exposed and different art events are organized.

Separate exposition consists of findings, found in archaeological diggings on territory of the Complex during its reconstruction in 2005-2009.

This building has complicated fate. It was built in 1783-1803 in the place where Voznesenskiy Monastery had been situated until 1712, which was moved to Podol by decree of Petr I. The Emperor cleared the territory near Monastery for building as many as possible military facilities.

From 1720 this territory belonged to the artillery department, the armoury and magazine was built on former territory of the Monastery. However two temples – Voznesenskiy and Pokrovskiy – were left. They were demolished at the beginning of building of the present construction, at that time former monastery cemetery was destroyed, remains of them were found in this century. After building of the present construction in the manner of late classicism on that place, the Old Arsenal began to cover Kiev-Pechersk Lavra from southeast, becoming the most monumental construction on the territory of huge Kiev Fortress.

Arsenal became the main armoury in Kiev and all widespread provinces. 35 thousands of firearms were produced in these walls in the first half of XIX century. The trophy ottoman guns were exposed near walls of Arsenal after another Russian-Turkish war in 1820. The building was under supervision of military in late imperial and also in Soviet time. By the beginning of the third millennium the construction felt into decay and the territory, which belonged to the military city, was blocked by half-ruined buildings of different times, the inside accommodations looked like ruins. The present stage of life in old walls began in 2005, when the third President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko proclaimed the creation of the biggest museum area of Europe, on the territory of the complex; although the decree about creation of the museum was signed in 2000. The restoration of the building and the territory began only in 5 years.

“Drevo Ukrainy” is one of the stationary expositions of the Museum. Special info-lobby prepares excursionists to perception of the exhibits. Further passage of exposition is organized spirally, that’s why visitors are always involved in process and feel the power of exhibition. Visitors see different souvenirs, beaten wood, different catalogues, prospectus, scientific literature, video games for children, programs.  All partitions, perpendicular to the central passage, are made of glass, so that visitors can see nearby space. Every box equipped with info-box (there are 20 of them), which contains broadened information about content of each box.

The second level is expositional. Huge premises of former Arsenal consist of places for expositions from all museums of Ukraine. Archeological findings, which were made during restoration, will be displayed here in the nearest future. They belong to the period of existing of monastery as well as further period of military and arms history of this place. The museum gathered about 17 thousands of such findings, which tells about way of life and crafts of Pechersk of XVI-XVII centuries.

On the third level “open funds” are situated. Subjects of exposition are displayed here without special decision of designer. Materials of national life and culture of XX century, including the second half - actually not so far, but for the last generation it is already a history – are situated here. Works of art, presented by famous artists, who were exposed in this exhibition space, are kept in funds of “Mistetskiy Arsenal”. These are Yuriy Soloviy, Ivan Marchuk, Vladimir Kuznetsov, Oxana Maz.

Artistic exhibitions and events – from music festival to fashion parade are always held in the museum complex. About 70 thousands of different art-projects have been realized in this territory since 2005.