Last updated on February 26, 2024.

After visiting Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, I walked to the Motherland Monument and the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex (quite a mouthful!).

 

The Complex

Formerly the National Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, this huge complex was formally opened in a ceremony on May 9, 1981, by Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev. It was created to honor the sacrifices made by the Ukrainian people during World War II. The complex is situated along a long path starting at the entrance. Along the path are cannons and a tank.

Path at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Path
Cannons at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Cannons
Path at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Path
T-10 tank at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
T-10 tank

 

Military Vehicles

Two sections just off the path lead to areas filled with a collection of 65 20th century military vehicles, including tanks, planes, trucks, and helicopters. Adult admission is ₴30 and an additional ₴20 to enter three exclusive aircraft (as of February 2024). It’s open daily except Mondays.

Military vehicles
Military vehicle
A man painting a military vehicle at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
A man painting a military vehicle
Military vehicles at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Military vehicles

 

Flame of Glory

The path continues to a short tunnel with a large bowl on the left side. In the bowl is the Flame of Glory. It burns continuously and has a diameter of 16 meters.

Path at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Path
Flame of Glory at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Flame of Glory

Inside the tunnel are relief sculptures of different scenes of the war. Depicted are the defense of the Soviet border against the Nazi invasion in 1941, the struggles of the Soviet partisans, and the contribution of the citizens.

Tunnel
Tunnel at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Tunnel
Children playing at the tunnel
Tunnel at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Tunnel

 

Crossing of the Dnieper Monument

On the other side of the tunnel is a large square that can accommodate up to 30,000 people for ceremonies. The impressive Crossing of the Dnieper monument is the focal point of the square.

National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex
Crossing of the Dnieper monument at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Crossing of the Dnieper monument
Crossing of the Dnieper monument at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Crossing of the Dnieper monument

 

Alley of the Hero Cities

Another feature of the square includes the Alley of the Hero Cities, which names cities that fought bravely during the war. When I was visiting, there were also two tanks on display that were repainted to promote peace.

Alley of the Hero Cities at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Alley of the Hero Cities
Tanks repainted for peace at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Tanks repainted for peace

 

Motherland Monument

The Motherland Monument (Rodina Mat) is the enormous statue that’s a symbol of Kyiv and can be seen from very far away. It stands 62 meters high to the tip of the sword and the shield is 12 by 8 meters. It was designed by Ukrainian sculptor Vasyl Borodai (1917-2010). The shield originally depicted the communist hammer and sickle, but it was removed in August 2023 and replaced with the Ukrainian coat of arms. Inside the base is a memorial with the names of over 11,600 soldiers killed in World War II carved into marble plaques. The base is accessible through the museum (see below).

Motherland Monument at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Motherland Monument
Motherland Monument at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
Motherland Monument

It’s also possible to climb to two different observation decks. One is at the base of the monument and costs ₴100 (as of February 2024). The other observation deck is 91 meters above the ground at the top of the shield and requires a lot of physical activity. That costs ₴500 (as of February 2024). These activities weren’t available during my visit. The observation decks are open daily except Mondays.

 

War Museum

Underneath the Motherland Monument is the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War. It’s one of the best war museums I have ever visited. If you’re into history, especially World War II, it’s not to be missed. The museum is open daily except Mondays starting at 10am. Adult admission is ₴70 (as of February 2024). A guided tour in English is ₴400. At the time of my visit a photo pass was extra. I wish I had paid for the photo pass because there were some very impressive items.

National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Memorial Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine
National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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