Trukhaniv Island

This elegant bridge appeared in Kyiv in 1957. It linked the Dnieper embankment with Trukhaniv Island, a traditional leisure area of Kyivans and guests of the city. Architect Alexey Zavarov, who was in charge of the bridge design and construction, involved top engineers in this project. The pedestrian bridge has a length of 439 m and seven spans in its construction, with its total weight measuring 985 tons. It was the second all-welded bridge built in Kyiv. Professionals from Paton electric welding institute of Ukrainian SSR Academy of Science were also engaged in its design developments. Trukhaniv Island is a historical and cultural monument that covers an area of 450 ha. At various times, the island was both the seat of a Polovtsian khan (one theory is that it took the name of Tugor khan), and the property of Equal-to-Apostles St. Princess Olga. In the later period of national history it was owned by the Deserted monastery of St. Nicholas, later – by the city council. In the 19th century, the shipyards of the shipping joint stock company on the Dnieper River and its tributaries were founded on the island, as well as the imperial yacht club and Hermitage, a luxury entertainment place.

There was also the majestic St. Elizabeth’s church and the female diocesan school here. In 1943, the settlement on the island was burned by the retreating Nazis. In the postwar period, the chapters of various water sports associations and the recreation camps for working people were built here. A restaurant with a dance floor was set up, too. Bobrovnya reserve area and Peoples’ Friendship Park occupy the northern part of Trukhaniv Island.

Alexander Anisimov

This article was published in the book Interesting Kyiv.
You could download this book in PDF file for free here.

© Sky Horse Publishing House (Kyiv) / Nahs Haus, 2019
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