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2024-04-20 02:00:47
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 Darmon_Richter
 
Location: Eastern Europe
 |  |  | The Drains of Kiev, Ukraine, May 2012
< on 7/15/2012 5:49 PM >
|  | | | On a recent trip to Kiev, I was lucky enough to get the guided tour of the city's underground network of drains, from a local explorer.
The drains that lie closest to the surface are mostly built from reinforced concrete, and many of them were installed by Stalin during the Soviet era - to provide a back-up water supply for the city. However, deeper under the ground these tunnels meet a much older network of shafts and caves, many of which date back to mining operations in the mid-nineteenth century.
We entered the tunnels through a hatch set in a rough stretch of land near the financial district. From here the first set of tunnels stretched out in both directions, trapezoid in shape, and roughly five feet high. We followed the shallow water upstream... eventually reaching a ladder to a higher level. Here the water cascaded down in heavy torrents, and we were forced to climb up through the waterfall to get to the next level.
Another long tunnel, this time more rock than concrete, and dotted with stalactites and fungus. Following our guide, and being careful to ignore the many turnings that led off into the darkness, we eventually got to a large open shaft. Up above us we could see the slats of a manhole cover, a good four or five stories high. This apparently, was the central square in the middle of Kiev's CBD.
From the number of turnings we passed along the way, the network of tunnels here seemed to be massive - it was a good thing this guide knew his way around, as it would be all too easy to get lost down here!
Anyway, we decided to explore a little deeper into the drains, and so following the stream through a long, mineral-encrusted tunnel we finally reached an opening - where the drain we were in suddenly poured out over a massive drop. The water here was directed into a funnel, and then through guttering down to the lower floor. We had to climb though, carefully reaching for a nearby iron framework, and descending down four flights of rusty ladders to the bottom.
After a brisk walk along a smooth concrete tube, our guide stopped us at a tiny side turning - here the newer tunnel crossed the path of one of the much older mine shafts, and he led us, on our hands and knees, into the darkness. This new tunnel started off small, but it got much smaller still! Here and there alcoves were set into the walls, to store bowls and flasks - places where the miners would be able to stop for food and refreshments. Towards the end the tunnel got so small that I was forced to drag myself along by my elbows... the water sometimes splashing up high enough to hit my face. I found myself wondering how much further it could be, and praying we wouldn't meet a flash flood!
After what seemed like an eternity though, we reached a new section of the drains, with a nice high concrete roof. A few minutes later, and after something like five hours under the ground, we finally clambered back into the sunlight... bruised, disorientated, and soaked to the skin. Still, nothing that couldn't be cured with a good, strong Ukrainian beer.
Hope you enjoy these pics - they didn't come out as well as I had hoped, as my little FujiFilm camera was having a really hard time with all the mist and steam down there. Still, I guess I ought to glad it didn't give up altogether, considering how wet it got. If you want to see any more photos, or read a more detailed account of the different sections of drains and tunnels, check out the full report here: http://bohemian-bl...rains-of-kiev.html.
Peace,
DR.
Bohemian Urbex: Urban Decay & other curiosities. |
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johnie walker
| | Re: The Drains of Kiev, Ukraine, May 2012
<Reply # 2 on 7/20/2012 11:52 PM >
| | | | nice drain and a good write up and pics
well done
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robk700
   
Location: Los Angeles / D.C.
Gender: Male
| | Re: The Drains of Kiev, Ukraine, May 2012
<Reply # 3 on 7/25/2012 5:04 PM >
| | | | Wow. Kiev and Odessa make Ukraine such an appealing country to explore the underground. I hope to visit in the next couple of years, now that work is picking up and I now am starting to get enough money to travel. Great work on this write up and picture tour.
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highxfive
 
Location: Portland, OR
Gender: Male
Introvert.
| | Re: The Drains of Kiev, Ukraine, May 2012
<Reply # 4 on 7/27/2012 2:29 PM >
| | | | i swear, i love every single one of your posts.
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sounds like a fun explore