Fontan Samson - Kyiv, pl. Kontraktova, 1

Description of the sight

Fountain Samson today is one of the oldest fountains in the city of Kyiv - the capital of Ukraine. The very first Samson fountain was at the same time the very first water pipe in Kyiv. And the first statue of Samson appeared, tearing the mouth of a lion with his hands, back in 1749, according to the project of the architect Ivan Grigorovich-Barsky. But for some reason, everyone's favorite fountain was suddenly dismantled in 1934. There is no reliable information on this subject, but they say that this fountain was dismantled due to a simple misunderstanding. On the eve of some big holiday, one of the local chiefs was inspecting the city, seeing garbage near the fountain, ordered him to be removed. The subordinates, apparently not of great intelligence, were frightened and confused, not knowing what exactly the boss did not like, only garbage or the fountain too. Since they were afraid to ask him again, not wanting to run into the wrath of the authorities, they removed not only the ill-fated garbage, but also the fountain. Yes, just in case. The second time the fountain was built only half a century later. On the eve of the celebration of the 1500th anniversary of Kyiv, "Samson" was rebuilt according to the surviving copy in the National Art Museum of Ukraine. And not in vain - the fountain again fell in love with residents and guests of the capital of Ukraine, people here are very fond of taking pictures or just walking and relaxing near the fountain of the famous Samson.