Freemasonry has always been surrounded by legends and speculation. ‘Freemasons are everywhere,’ ‘Freemasons rule the world,’ ‘Freemasons possess secret knowledge,’ — these are only some of the myths associated with the Masonic brotherhood. During this guided tour, you will learn who the Freemasons were and how they appeared in Ukrainian lands. You will discover hidden symbols embedded in Kyiv’s architecture and hear about the history of Freemasonry, its secret signs and rituals.
At the turn of the 20th century, when Freemasonry was officially banned, Kyiv was undergoing rapid urban development. That is why, even today, alongside columns and other architectural elements, one can spot veiled signs of secret societies containing coded symbols. During the tour, we will trace these symbols together while exploring episodes of Ukrainian history. You will see the future monument to Freemasons, depicted on Ukrainian hryvnias, and immerse yourself for a few hours in this enigmatic world while admiring early 20th-century landmarks: the Bunge School, the Uvarov House, the Demchenko merchant estate, the Chocolate House, the House of the Weeping Widow, and the Kovalevskyi Mansion, known as the Castle of Sighs. You will also hear fascinating stories about prominent Ukrainian Freemasons, including Kyrylo Rozumovskyi, Vasyl Kochubei, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, Pavlo Skoropadskyi, Ivan Franko, Mykhailo Drahomanov, as well as members of the distinguished patron families Khanenko and Tereshchenko.
The highlight of the tour will be a visit to a secret club for an interactive game — an initiation into Freemasonry, just as it might have taken place a century ago.
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: UAH 2 500 per person
Preliminary registration is required and shall be carried out by 09 May 2026 at the Department for Culture and Tourism of the Media Center Directorate by phone at +38 (097) 258-40-19 or via email at skt.gdip@gmail.com
