Lybid river natural stream bed

The Lybid river natural stream bed is a protected section in Kyiv where water flows along a preserved channel while supporting local ecosystems. The waterway runs partly through concrete channels, especially near the railway lines southeast of the central station.

The river was first recorded in 968 during a siege of Kyiv and acted as a natural defense for the developing city. Later, much of the river was channeled underground while this visible section remained as a historic remnant.

The name comes from Lybid, sister of Kyiv's three founding brothers Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv in local legend. This mythological connection shapes how the river appears in the city's identity.

The protected area lies southeast of the city center near railway lines and is accessible on foot. Visitors should expect uneven ground and wet conditions along the riverbank.

This visible section is one of the few remaining open parts of the river, as most of it now runs below the modern city. The contrast between the underground network and this free-flowing segment reveals how urban development reshaped the waterway.