The Old Kiev Fortress and the Moscow Garden The (known in some 17th-century Ukrainian sources as the "Moscow Garden", with the name "Starokyivska" becoming common after 1706) was a defensive complex surrounding the
Upper City of "Old Kiev". It existed from 1654 until the late 18th century, constructed shortly after Kyiv’s incorporation into the
Tsardom of Muscovy. The fortress served as both a military outpost and the administrative seat of the Russian voivodes, with a garrison that varied from approximately 2,500 to 7,000 troops. Its early design made use of the remnants of
ancient Rus’ fortifications, specifically from the cities of Volodymyr and Yaroslava. Initially, the defenses consisted of earthen
ramparts topped with wooden
parapets and
towers. Within the enclosed area were key administrative and military facilities: the
Voivode's residence, courts, a postal station, barracks,
wells, and
storage buildings for
arms and supplies. As the city grew and the fairs were later moved closer to Bessarabka, Khreshchatyk began to undergo gradual urban development. The first significant structure erected on the street was the two-story palace belonging to Onufry Golovinsk, built in 1797 in a classical architectural style. However, Kyiv had to wait nearly three years before construction could proceed, as priority was given to reestablishing television services in
Leningrad. In 1951, the TV and Radio center was completed, and the first regular television broadcasts followed in 1952. == References ==