Maria Zankovetska Museum

The Maria Zankovetska Museum is a theater museum on Velyka Vasylkivska Street in Kyiv that displays costumes, photographs, and personal items from the life and career of Ukraine's first People's Artist. The building holds materials documenting her work with major theater companies of her era.

Maria Zankovetska started her acting career in 1882 and became a founding figure of modern Ukrainian theater. The museum itself opened in 1960 to preserve her legacy and the history of Ukrainian stage traditions.

The collection shows how theater worked in late 19th century Ukraine and what roles actresses played in it. Visitors can see how Zankovetska and her contemporaries used performance to engage audiences with social issues of their time.

The museum is located in central Kyiv and is easy to reach on foot, though calling ahead is recommended to ensure access. It is best to contact the museum in advance to confirm current opening hours and whether a guided tour is available.

The museum preserves costumes from famous roles that Zankovetska herself wore on stage, showing how theater costumes were made and used during her era. These pieces are direct evidence of her own performances and create a personal connection to the history.