The Museum of the Great Patriotic War is located in Kiev, Ukraine. It’s a huge memorial complex covering the area of 10 hectares. Today we’re going to visit its main part – the museum building located at the base of the famous Motherland monument. The entrance fee is 1 euro, plus 2 euros for getting a permission to take photographs. But it’s really worth it as all the exhibits are rare and perfectly preserved.
Sketches of the project. The museum building is at the base of the sculpture.
An ID card.
An employment book.
“Certificate”.
The Maxim guns.
These ribbons are soldiers’ profiles that were hidden inside the cartridge cases. They were used for further identifying of soldier’s remains on a battle field.
Kiev’s defence.
The Siege of Leningrad. “Enemy at the gates”.
Ukrainian money.
Partisans’ hiding place.
A workplace of a leaflets compositor.
What can surprise or irritate you at this museum:
- Very few visitors. Almost all of them are foreigners. About 5-6 people per hour.
- You may be surprised at its toilet (in the next picture). Really weird and embarrassing.
- Supervisors in the halls are noisy aged women. How are they going to take tourists without knowledge of the English language at Euro 2012 is unclear.
The Germans always use mechanization and equipment.
An exposition for the Victory Day.
The banners of fronts.
Location: Kiev, Ukraine
via rozenhoff
Seems strange that Russians and Ukrainians are not more interested in their history. Here in the US the Civil War battlefields get huge numbers of visitors.
I’ve seen the squat toilets in the Far East and India but never in Europe. Not what you’d call high tech. I suggest you hire a Japanese consultant — they make the world’s best toilets!
Have you been in Europe? You could find those kind of toilets for instance in rural France and Spain. As a kid we used to call them “pink floyd” due to the noise they make.
In Michalovka, Russia they have normal toilets, but dug in. That is weird to see…
F.Bunker here.
Im back at home in austria
and first thing i see on ER is some nazi stuff…schäm dich ER, aber wirklisch…
F.Bunker here.
Im back at home in austria
and first thing i see on ER is some na/zi stuff…schäm dich ER, aber wirklisch…
F. Bunker here.
Im back at home in austria
and first thing i see on ER is some na/z/i stuff…sch/äm dich ER, aber wirkl/isch…
F.Bunker here.
Im back at home in austria : D and first thing i see on ER is some na/zi stuff…schäm dich ER, aber wirklisch…
Nice museum which I missed when I went to Kiev. Next time I’ll go, but they should definitely change the toilets
When do you plan a photo reportage about Tchernobyl museum in Kiev, which was at least as interesting as this one ?
Wow, so much space for a toilet. And what is there so embarrassing? Btw nice museum!
been looking through this webb site for months some great topics in it very interesting 10 out 10 great
That was another World. I can’t imagine what the Ukrainian People of that time lived through. My respect for what little survivors of that time, are still left.
I would like to also say, I am tired of hearing what Ukraine has compared to what other countries of far more resources have. Get real and STFU! This museum looks quite interesting and I would love to look at all these old photographs.
what little survivors left now? very few survivors from soviet army then. some estimates 97 of 100 killed in some of the battle there.
That could be a decent bathroom if it didn’t have the squatter toilets.
Why? If there were toilet bowls people still wouldn’t want to sit on it. Public toilets considered unhygienic as many pi.ss on the toilet seats, so because of that people squat on toilet bowls anyway. Squatter toilets is the best choice for a public toilet.
We also, are working on a website that teaches russian and mostly in the english language! I really like your pictures on here, have been to Ukraine many times. I will go to your museum when I can! = )
The museum is fine and so is the toilet.
as an American who know a lot about America’s involvement in World War II been doing a lot of research on Russians involvement lately thanks for posting the pictures and narrative
What a shame so few people come to visit this well laid and almost eerie museum – that is except foreigners
Are there no lessons to be learned here from history
Those who do not learn from history are said to repeat it
I’ve been there. It’s actually not bad, but the displays are bit too “artistic” to my taste.
Also, it’s true about the “guards”: noisy, unsmiling and clueless. They’re following you closely to make sure you don’t step over the white line and that’s about all their responsability amounts to.
In Kiev I’d suggest you visit the “Army Museum” too. Very nice old stuff there.
Brgds, A
Please stop using the false & untrue term “great patriotic war” – this is simply WWII, World War II. Dozens of other countries fought in the war, not just Soviets. And it wasn’t really Soviets who “won” the war. If it weren’t for massive help from USA and the West, and for sacrifices of other smaller states, and – most importantly – for the blatant strategy of the savage Red Army (they basically destroyed everything on their path), Staling would not be able to crown himself a victor. In reality he did more harm than good before, during and after WWII. To some extent he is also responsible for the start of WWII – he made pacts with Nazi Germany and plotted with them to divide Europe. Not to mention the millions he ruthlessly killed. Not to mention several countries he simply invaded during WWII (Poland, Finland, Baltic states etc.).
So stop saying “great patriotic war” and start using the proper term “WWII”.
I suggest the Marine Corp Museum in Quantico VA. Very cool.
I saw those fancy squat holes in Turkey in public bathrooms at fancy gas stations in the middle of nowhere.
It is kind of strange to a Westerner- if you are going to go through the trouble to create such a porcelain work of art, why not go out and just put in a real toliet?!?
Excuse me Mr Big Easy, this is direct insult, let me remind you that New Orleans never was occupied by Nazis nore Soviets, everything you see there took place in Kiev, that is just dedicated to city fo Kiev battles of WWII. Your happy land museum just a room full of stuff from battles accross the pond.
When we say Great Patriotic War we mean WWII battles that was fought on our loands. You will never understand if you are not Slavic origin.
my origin has nothing to do with it – the main problem is you never speak of WWII. perhaps because it was soviet policy to actually wage the war. originally soviet policy was to divide europe between the reds and the nazis. when the nazis attacked you, you decided to fight back. otherwise you’d never join the allies. it’s time for you to realize how much you’re responsible for the WWII.
again, the funny term you’re using has nothing to do with real & true history. start using the proper term as it also included your war effort. just like any other country’s.
it’s always russia that messes sth up. why? at least once try to keep it real. stop falsifying the history. accept your liabilities and faults. admit communism attrocities.
Wow, kater. See, former Soviet Contries call it “great patriotic war” because it was fought on their soil. And their women and children died in it. Something so simple escapes your neurosis. And 20 million deaths there, perhaps your comprehension.
Germany have more contributions to the world than the ex slaves(soviets) nowadays… highest standard of living ,major economic powers, scientific,technology… Hitler may killed us Asians but thanks anyway for stopping British & France imperialism…