Taras Shevchenko University, Kiev

Taras Shevchenko University, Kiev

Kiev National University (KNU), aka Taras Shevchenko's University, is the third oldest and most academically acclaimed institution for higher education in Ukraine. It offers tuition in 15 faculties and five institutes to over 20,000 students.

KNU was established in 1834 by order of Nicolai I, Emperor of Russia, and was named initially Saint Vladimir's University, in honour of the monarch who baptised Kievan Rus. Upon inauguration, the university had only one faculty - of Philosophy - with two departments: the department of History and Philology; and the department of Physics and Mathematics. Later, several more faculties were added, including the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law. In 1939, the university was named Taras Shevchenko, after the great national poet and artist who once taught at and greatly contributed to KNU's development. Among the university's famous alumni are Mikhail Bulgakov, Nikolay Bunge, Nikolai Berdyaev, Mykhailo Drahomanov, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, Viacheslav Chornovil, Leonid Kravchuk and Oksana Zabuzhko.

The university occupies a four story building, painted the distinct red; hence its nickname – the Red University. The colour was chosen by students as a sign of protest and a reminder to Tsar Nicholas II of the Ukrainian soldiers killed in World War I.

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Taras Shevchenko University on Map

Sight Name: Taras Shevchenko University
Sight Location: Kiev, Ukraine (See walking tours in Kiev)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Kiev, Ukraine

Create Your Own Walk in Kiev

Create Your Own Walk in Kiev

Creating your own self-guided walk in Kiev is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Monastery of Kiev Caves Tour

Monastery of Kiev Caves Tour

Some sources say that Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra (Monastery of Kiev Caves Tour) was initiated in 1051, when Reverend Anthony arrived there. He, together with some of his followers, built an entire complex composed of caves and monasteries. When the monks moved to a monastery which is on Lavra's territory, the caves were utilized as burial sites. Nowadays it is included in the UNESCO World...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Kiev Introduction Walking Tour

Kiev Introduction Walking Tour

Kiev is a very old city. It was initiated approximately 1500 years ago. Since 1934, it was Soviet Ukraine's capital and remained the main city of the country with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Being one of the biggest cities in Europe, it has a very specific history, architecture and cultural life. One can never be bored in Kiev, as it has endless interesting and captivating places to...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Kiev's Architectural Jewels

Kiev's Architectural Jewels

Kiev is a city with such a wide diversity of architectural styles from various periods of time. The best European, Russian and Ukrainian architects and artists worked on the buildings of the capital of Ukraine. Some of the elements are absolutely unique and can be seen exclusively in Kiev. Some of the most famed architects who contributed to the city's beauty and originality are Vikentiy...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Andriyivskyy Descent Walk

Andriyivskyy Descent Walk

Andriyivskyy (Andrew's) Descent is a historic cobblestone street, running 720 meters (2,360 ft) downhill from the Upper (Old) Town of Kiev to the once commercial neighborhood of Podil (Lower Town), ending at Kontraktova Square.

According to a legend, there was once a sea where the Dnieper River now flows. When Saint Andrew, the Apostle came to Kiev and erected a cross on the spot where St...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Kiev Souvenirs: 12 Distinctively Ukrainian Products to Bring Home

Kiev Souvenirs: 12 Distinctively Ukrainian Products to Bring Home

In recent years, Ukraine has made the news rather distant from welcoming tourism. Still, despite some controversial publicity, the country - for the most part - continues normal life and retains its traditional hospitality. There are quite a few things in Kiev, distinctively Ukrainian, that a...