National Museum of the History of Ukraine in Kyiv

• The visitor entrance is at 2 Volodymyrska Street, Kyiv.
• The museum is temporarily closed on October 25, 2026.
• The National Museum’s separate Treasury is at 9 Lavrska Street and is open Tuesday through Sunday.
• The archaeological collection spans several millennia and includes finds from the Stone Age, antiquity and the Middle Ages.
• Ukrainian airspace is closed, and entry to and departure from the country are by land.

The museum is located at 2 Volodymyrska Street in the historic Upper Town. The Kyiv urban area provides the broader context, while the Golden Gate is a separate historic site and the Lavra lies farther south, across the Dnipro. Routes between these destinations pass through different parts of the city. Kyiv’s dining scene is another distinct part of urban life.

The range of museums in Kyiv covers a variety of institutions and subjects. The Water Information Center explores water and urban utilities. For a break during a day in the city, take a look at restaurants in Kyiv.

The archaeological collection reaches far back before written history. Stone Age objects include flint tools, as well as stylized figurines and jewelry made from mammoth tusk and shells. Ceramic vessels and worked stones document early settlement and craft traditions. Bronze objects such as swords, needles and bracelets show how material processing and everyday items changed over long periods.

Antiquity is also represented by objects from various regions, including tableware, coins, jewelry and glass vessels. Finds from the first centuries AD broaden the perspective on the cultures in what is now Ukraine. This wide chronological range makes the museum a place where long-term developments can be compared through tangible objects.

Medieval objects include a stone plinth bearing a depiction of a trident from the 10th century, silver hryvnias, game pieces and chess pieces. Such finds offer insights into governance, trade, craftsmanship and cultural contacts. Some objects come from Kyiv and other locations in Ukraine.

The Golden Gate was an important city gate of Kyivan Rus; its visible structure today is a reconstruction. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex includes churches above ground and the Near and Far Caves, with their underground passageways. The Water Information Center presents the city’s former water supply system: its reservoir dates from 1909, and its water tower from 1876. The museums in Kyiv cover subjects beyond the archaeological collection, including technical water infrastructure. The city’s collections can also be distinguished by their respective areas of focus. In historic Kyiv, these sites are spread across different parts of the city; the urban setting of the Upper Town connects the history museum with buildings from the history of Kyivan Rus.

The National Museum at 2 Volodymyrska Street is temporarily closed on October 25, 2026. The separate Treasury is located at 9 Lavrska Street. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and closed on Mondays; the ticket office closes at 5:00 p.m.

Ukrainian airspace is closed, and entry to and departure from the country are possible only by land. Because of the airspace closure, Kyiv’s airports and the airports of Kyiv currently have no civilian air traffic.

The main museum is at 2 Volodymyrska Street, while the separate Treasury is at 9 Lavrska Street. If you plan to visit both locations during your stay, tailor your travel preparations to the places you intend to visit. Choose accommodation in Kyiv to suit your planned routes; hotels in the capital and accommodation by destination can also help with planning your stay.

Which archaeological finds represent the period of Kyivan Rus?

A lead seal belonging to Prince Yaroslav the Wise, dating from the 11th century, is among the medieval finds. Silver hryvnias from the 11th to 13th centuries and chess pieces from the 11th to 14th centuries complement this part of the collection.

Where is the National Museum located?

It is at 2 Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv’s historic Upper Town. The Lavra lies farther south, across the Dnipro; the Golden Gate is another historic destination, separate from the museum.

Is the National Museum currently open?

The museum is temporarily closed on October 25, 2026. The separate Treasury at 9 Lavrska Street has its own opening hours.

What are the Treasury’s opening hours?

The Treasury is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.; it is closed on Mondays. The ticket office closes at 5:00 p.m.

What are the conditions for traveling to Kyiv?

Ukrainian airspace is closed; entry to and departure from the country are possible only by land.