On Saturday, 31 May 2025, staff of the Media Center Directorate organised an insightful walking tour for diplomats titled Mysticism of the Kyiv Hills where foreign guests learned about the rituals of ancient city dwellers along with the peculiarities of their pre-Christian beliefs and perceptions of the world and nature.
Representatives of the Embassies of Canada and Mexico, as well as staff members of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, UNICEF office and Un Ponte Per NGO, joined this fascinating journey into the world of Kyiv’s mysticism.
Since ancient times, Kyiv’s hills have been known for their powerful energy, and today they remain pilgrimage sites for adherents of Slavic neo-paganism. Tour participants ascended the city’s most mysterious heights — Zamkova (Castle) Hill and Starokyivska (Old Kyiv) Hill.
Legends say that Zamkova Hill was once home to Prince Kyi’s palace, the residence of his brother Prince Khoryv, or perhaps even a monastery. Regardless of the version, the area was vibrant with activity. This is evidenced by the discovery of casting moulds on the hill, indicating the existence of an ancient craft centre where artisans carved stone and produced various jewellery items. In the 14th century, Zamkova Hill came under the ownership of Prince Volodymyr of Algirdas and his descendants, and subsequently became the residence of Kyiv voivodes for many years. Back in the days of Rus, public executions of witches took place here. Zamkova Hill silently bore witness to witch hunts, fortress sieges, devastating fires, and city burials. Today, this place with an unusual history draws the attention of tourists and fans of the paranormal, offering an unparalleled panoramic view of Vozdvyzhenka, Andriivskyi Descent, Podil, and the broader Kyiv skyline.
Starokyivska Hill stands as the historical heart of Kyiv, evidenced by the ancient artifact bearing the inscription ‘Where did the land of Rus come from…’. According to legend, Prince Kyi founded the city here in the 5th century. The hill boasts remnants of ancient fortifications, foundations of princely palaces, and significant archaeological discoveries testifying the presence of a political and cultural center as early as the 9th–10th centuries. Today, it houses the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.
During the tour, diplomats not only learned about the earliest princely settlements but also discovered modern pagan altars in the city centre, where followers perform weekly rituals and sacrifices. They admired the remarkably picturesque landscapes and heard captivating stories about witches and werewolves. Additionally, they learned about the unusual abilities attributed to Kyiv maidens and the signs believed to indicate a woman was a witch. Staff members from foreign missions were impressed and left with much to reflect on what they had seen and heard during the walk around the capital.
