Chernobyl Museum, Kiev

The Chernobyl Museum in Kiev chronicles the disaster at Chernobyl nuclear power plant that happened in 1986. Presented in two halls, the collection describes the explosion of the nuclear reactor and its consequences. As you climb upstairs to the main hall, you will see road signs along the staircase, indicating the locations affected by the explosion and exposed to radiation. Inside the hall there are pictures of the firemen and members of the rapid response units who were the first on the scene and died shortly after the accident. A large panel, portraying the children-victims of the disaster, is placed on the wall alongside other photographs showing Chernobyl before, during and after the tragedy. Also, there are masks and equipment used in the liquidation of the accident. Personal effects of the people, who lived near Chernobyl, and related documents complete the collection.

Heading down the stairs, you can also see road signs with the names of towns and villages crossed by a red line; these indicate the residential areas abandoned for good, following the accident.

In addition to documents, there is also an artistic display, featuring paintings, the leitmotif of which is mostly religious, filled with hope for the better future for the people of the affected areas.