Babyn Yar Memorial Park

Babyn Yar Memorial Park occupies part of a ravine on the north-western edge of Kyiv, Ukraine, near the Syrets and Dorohozhychi districts, between Melnykova Street and Olena Teliha Street. On 29 and 30 September 1941, during the German occupation, more than 33,000 Kyiv Jews were shot here in one of the largest single massacres of the Holocaust in Europe. Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, Ukrainian nationalists and other civilians were also killed at the site in the following years. Today the ravine is a green park with paths, trees and a number of memorials placed across the area over several decades. These include a large Soviet-era monument to victims, a menorah monument, a memorial to children killed at the site and smaller markers for other groups. Visitors walk quietly between monuments, read information panels and sometimes leave stones or flowers. A visit takes about 45 minutes, longer to see every memorial. The park is free and open daily during daylight. The nearest metro station is Dorohozhychi on the Green line, from which the memorial is about a ten-minute walk. Crowds are small on most days, with the largest gatherings during annual commemorations at the end of September. The site is a place of remembrance, so quiet behaviour, modest dress and respect for mourners are expected. Photography of monuments is generally accepted, but taking selfies or posing is considered disrespectful. Morning visits offer calm and good light on the memorials. Visitors should also check local security conditions and alerts before travelling, as the district is some distance from the centre.