Opera House, Kiev (must see)

The Kyiv Opera House, formally known as the Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Ukraine, stands as one of the city's most iconic cultural landmarks and a testament to the city’s artistic heritage. Founded in 1867, the opera company predates the current building, which was completed in 1901 after a devastating fire destroyed the earlier theater. Since then, the grand structure on Volodymyrska Street has become a defining part of Kyiv’s cultural and architectural landscape.

Its architect, Viktor Schröter, designed the building in the eclectic style popular in late 19th-century Europe, blending Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque elements. The result is a façade adorned with elegant arches, intricate reliefs, and symbolic ornamentation. Inside, visitors are met with a lavish interior featuring marble staircases, gilded balconies, and a magnificent chandelier that bathes the hall in warm light.

The theater’s acoustics are world-renowned, carefully engineered to ensure that every note, whether sung by a soloist or played by the orchestra, reaches the audience with perfect clarity.

Throughout its history, the Kyiv Opera House has hosted an impressive range of performances and artists—from timeless operas like Carmen and La Traviata to contemporary ballets and original Ukrainian works. The stage has welcomed world-famous performers and nurtured generations of Ukrainian talent, becoming a cornerstone of the country’s performing arts.

The theater has also undergone several renovations, most notably in the 1980s, when the stage and orchestra pit were expanded to accommodate up to 100 musicians. Care was taken to preserve the opulent décor—murals, stucco details, and crystal chandeliers—while upgrading the technical infrastructure for modern productions. Today, audiences still gather beneath the soaring dome of the main auditorium, where history, culture, and artistry converge in every performance.