New Director of Kyiv Cave Reserve Promises Modernization

According to the newspaper Segodnia (Number 30 from February 9), the new General Director of the Kyiv Cave Reserve Viktoria Lisnycha stated that the service for visitors of the monastery is to be improved considerably.

In particular, electronic panels with tourist information in Ukrainian and English will be installed there.

Also, all the exhibit captions are to be translated into English. “We are considering many ideas. For instance, the question regarding Wi-Fi on the reserve’s territory is being considered, the number of kiosks selling souvenirs will increase. We do not plan to build hotels or fast food cafes though. There are already several cafes on the territory of the monastery and that is enough,” said Lisnycha.

The cafes in the reserve are developing special new menus for the visitors coming for Euro 2012. The dishes' names may be changed for more interesting ones associated with the history of Kyiv and the variety may be widened.

In addition, according to Lisnycha, workshops in making Ukrainian souvenirs will be held and permanent exhibitions of the most interesting items will be organized.

At the same time, Lisnycha assured that the cost of the tickets will not increase and will remain the same, that is, 25 hryvnias for adults and 12 hryvnias for children.

It is also planned to complete the reconstruction of the Cathedral of the Assumption and restore the Tower of St. Onufrii this year. “Also, if financing is provided, we plan to start the restoration of the Church of All Saints and buildings #4 at Soborna Square and the Southern Tower,” Lisnycha said.

According to the publication, in total, 21 buildings in the reserve need repair.