Historic Fountain Restored at Kyiv’s VDNG After Years of Neglect

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A historic fountain near the Therapeutic Garden at Kyiv’s VDNG has been restored and returned to operation.
• The fountain dates back to 1958 and had remained neglected and largely unused for decades.
• Restoration work included a new pump, nozzles and basin liner, while the original granite rim was preserved.
• The surrounding area has been transformed into a small recreational space with benches and warm evening lighting.

A historic fountain at Kyiv’s National Complex “Expocenter of Ukraine” (VDNG) has been restored after years of neglect, giving a familiar piece of the Soviet-era exhibition complex a new role as part of a modern public recreation area. The fountain stands near the entrance to VDNG’s Therapeutic Garden and now operates with new technical equipment and evening illumination.

A Fountain Dating Back to 1958

The fountain was built in 1958, when the exhibition complex was being developed as one of Kyiv’s major public and cultural spaces.

For decades, the area around it was associated with recreation and social gatherings. A dance floor once stood nearby, making the location a popular meeting place for visitors.

The fountain itself eventually fell into disrepair and for many years was no longer functioning.

What Was Restored

The restoration focused on bringing the fountain’s technical systems back to life while preserving its historical appearance.

Workers replaced the pump, nozzles and basin liner, but deliberately retained the original granite rim. This allows the restored structure to maintain a visual connection with the historic fountain that visitors would have seen decades ago.

A warm lighting system was also installed, allowing the water jets to become a visible feature of the area after sunset.

A New Public Space Around the Fountain

The restoration was not limited to the fountain itself.

The surrounding area has been redesigned as a small recreational space with benches, giving visitors a place to sit and spend time near the water.

The location also forms part of the entrance area to the Therapeutic Garden, a newer VDNG project designed around greenery, quiet recreation and contact with nature.

The combination of water, plants, seating and evening lighting gives the previously neglected site a very different atmosphere.

Preserving History While Updating the Space

The project is an example of a broader approach to restoring older elements of Kyiv’s public spaces without simply replacing them with entirely new structures.

Instead of demolishing the old fountain and constructing a modern one, the restoration retained its most recognizable historic element — the granite edge of the basin — while replacing the technical components needed to make it functional again.

That balance between preservation and modernization is particularly important at VDNG, where much of the complex’s architecture and landscape reflects the history of postwar Kyiv.

From Neglected Site to Everyday Destination

The restored fountain is now more than an architectural feature.

The space around it is intended for everyday recreation, offering visitors another quiet place to stop while exploring VDNG and the nearby Therapeutic Garden.

For Kyiv, projects such as this demonstrate how relatively small restorations can change the character of public spaces. A structure that had been largely forgotten can once again become part of everyday city life while retaining a connection to the history of the place.