Central State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Kyiv

The Central State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Kyiv is a major repository containing millions of documents, manuscripts, photographs, and personal records spanning centuries of Ukrainian history. The collections cover different periods of occupation and rule over the regions.

The archive was established in 1852 as the Kyiv Central Archive connected to the University of St. Volodymyr. Over time it grew through the acquisition of materials from surrounding regions, becoming a major center for Ukrainian historical research.

The archive preserves documentary heritage spanning from the 14th to early 20th centuries, containing materials from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russian Empire periods.

Visitors can access historical documents on-site with guidance from staff who help navigate the extensive collections and locate specific materials. Planning ahead about what you want to view is helpful since the archive holds such a large amount of material.

The oldest document in the collection dates back to 1369, representing more than 650 years of preserved records from the region. This ancient certificate shows how long people have been documenting their societies and keeping those records safe.