Baptized Park (Merchant's Garden)
Ukraine, Kyiv, European Square
Description:
In 1882, the city authorities decided to rent out to the Merchant Assembly of Kiev a desolate section of the Tsar's Garden beyond European Square.
After the construction of the building of the Merchants’ Assembly in front of the park, its territory gradually began to be put in order. In 1901, the Summer Theatre was built in the garden with a shell stage, where musical performances were given for everyone. This place was very popular among Kievans. In 1982, the stage was demolished, and in its place was opened the "arch of friendship of peoples" - a monument dedicated to the unification of Ukraine and Russia, the most notable architectural element of the park.
In the Khreshchaty Park there are two first water towers of Kiev (built in 1872 and 1876). Today, after the restoration, the towers house the Water Museum and the Water Information Center.
On the territory of the park, the Kiev Academic Puppet Theater is located in a building similar to a toy castle. Park paths near the theater are decorated with sculptures of famous fairy-tale characters.