Sviatoshynsky ponds, Kyiv

In the middle of a pine forest in western Kyiv, a fifteen-minute walk from a metro station, lies a chain of lakes where people swim in summer and drill ice holes in winter. This isn't a suburban zone or a nature reserve out of town — this is Sviatoshyn, the end of a metro line.

The Sviatoshyn Ponds are the largest of all of Kyiv's ponds. And the strangest thing about them is that half of Kyiv still doesn't know they exist, despite driving past every day.

Quick facts

What it is and why go

The Sviatoshyn Ponds are a cascade of reservoirs on the Nyvka and Borshchahivka rivers, strung along a forest belt between residential blocks. The two largest have their own names: pond no. 15, Lake Sviatoshynske, and pond no. 14, Lake Verkhovyna. The rest are smaller — some overgrown and marshy, others fitted out as beaches.

People come here not for spectacle but for quiet and water within the city. In summer it's a free beach with pine-scented air instead of the sea. In spring and autumn it's a walking route where you can go a whole hour without meeting anyone, even though a city of millions surrounds it. It's also one of the few places in Kyiv where the fishing actually works.

History

For a long time Sviatoshyn wasn't a city district at all but a countryside area — a pine forest where well-off Kyivans went for their dachas (summer cottages). The main wave of dacha construction fell on 1897–1914. Along with the dachas came a very practical question: where would the holidaymakers swim?

The answer was artificial ponds. The first two reservoirs were built specifically as places for swimming and boating — leisure infrastructure for what was then Kyiv's "summer capital". Over time the cascade grew, the Nyvka and Borshchahivka rivers were dammed, and the pond system we see today took shape.

The city crept closer, then arrived all at once. Sviatoshyn became a residential district, high-rises went up around it, and the dacha character disappeared. But the ponds remained. The pine forest around them survived, and today this green wedge looks like an island of old, rural Kyiv that the city flowed around on every side.

Legends and local lore

The Sviatoshyn Ponds haven't accumulated grand mystical legends — this is a lived-in, homely place, with no castles or ruins. But it does have its own folklore.

Local anglers have a rule: don't brag out loud about your catch at "the fifteenth". Supposedly the lake is jealous — it'll hear you, and give you nothing next time. Whether that's superstition or just an observation about other people's envy is for everyone to decide for themselves.

Another story dates from Soviet times: it's said that part of the ponds were dredged and cleaned during "subbotniks" — obligatory unpaid work days when residents were sent out to do public labour. So old-timers joke that they personally know the bottom of these lakes.

What to see and do on site

Lake Sviatoshynske (pond no. 15). The main reservoir of the cascade and the most popular beach. In summer this is where most people are; there are equipped paths down to the water and spots to lay out a towel right under the pines.

Lake Verkhovyna (pond no. 14). The second largest, and quieter than "the fifteenth". A good option if you want water without the crowds.

Fishing. One of the main reasons to come. The ponds hold crucian carp, roach and perch, with the occasional pike. In the early morning, dozens of anglers line the banks — a sight in itself.

A walk through the forest. Paths run through the pine grove between the ponds. The route along the whole cascade is several kilometres of shade, fresh air and near-total silence.

How to get there

Metro. The simplest way. Get off at "Sviatoshyn" or "Akademmistechko" station (red line), then walk 10–15 minutes towards the forest. Any local can point the way.

Car. From the centre, head west along Peremohy Avenue towards Sviatoshyn. There's room to park along the streets near the ponds, but on hot summer weekends spaces can run out.

GPS landmark. Search for "Lake Sviatoshynske" or "Lake Verkhovyna" — both are marked on maps.

Traveller's checklist

• Insect repellent — forest plus water means mosquitoes, especially in the evening.
• Swimwear and a towel — if you're going for a swim in summer.
• A fishing rod — for anyone who wants to join the local anglers.
• Water and snacks — cafes aren't everywhere here, so it's easier to bring your own.
• Comfortable shoes — the paths are forest trails, sandy and uneven in places.

What NOT to do: don't leave litter under the pines (the forest is already under pressure from the city), and don't expect a "wild", people-free escape on a hot weekend — plenty of Kyivans head here in summer too.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim here?

Yes, in summer the Sviatoshyn Ponds are a popular swimming spot for Kyivans. Most people gather at Lake Sviatoshynske (pond no. 15). Check seasonal water-quality announcements from city services before swimming.

How much does it cost to get in?

Nothing. It's an ordinary public recreation area with free access.

Is it good for kids?

Definitely. There are gentle slopes down to the water and shade under the pines. Just keep an eye on little ones near the water and bring repellent.

Is the fishing any good?

Yes, it's one of Kyiv anglers' favourite spots. Crucian carp, roach and perch are common, with the occasional pike. Early morning is the best time to fish.

The Sviatoshyn Ponds are a case where you don't need to leave the city to find yourself by water in a forest. Pines, silence, anglers at dawn and kids splashing by the shore — all of it just fifteen minutes from the metro.

If you're tired of Kyiv's summer in the heated stone of the city centre, know this: on the western edge of town a lake is waiting, one that half the capital somehow forgot about.