Klitschko’s glass bridge, Kyiv

The pedestrian and cycle bridge over Volodymyrskyi Uzviz (Volodymyr Descent) in Kyiv, commonly called the “Glass Bridge” or “Klitschko Bridge,” was opened on 25 May 2019, just before Kyiv Day, by the city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko. The bridge links Volodymyrska Hirka Park with Khreshchatyi Park, joining the two green hills above the Dnipro into one continuous pedestrian route in the city center.

The idea for the bridge had been discussed for several years, but construction only began in December 2018. The bridge itself cost the city about 275 million UAH. Built of steel, concrete and glass, it is 216 meters long. It starts near the arch in Khreshchatyi Park – the former Arch of Friendship of Peoples, renamed the Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian People in 2022 – and ends near the monument to Volodymyr the Great on Volodymyrska Hirka. It is open to pedestrians and cyclists and closed to motor traffic.

The walkway widens from 6 meters to 14 meters at the viewing platforms, and its tallest support is 32 meters high. The viewing platforms have glass floor panels through which you can look down at the street below, and the railings have glass inserts. Some floor panels cracked soon after the opening and again later because of vandalism (most recently in 2025); the damaged panels have been replaced each time. Despite its size, the bridge looks light and seems to float above the street.

On 10 October 2022, a Russian missile exploded right next to the bridge. The structure withstood the blast; 18 glass floor units and 143 railing panels were replaced, and the bridge reopened on 17 December 2022.

The bridge offers panoramic views of the surrounding parks, the Dnipro River and Kyiv’s Left Bank. Since its opening, it has become a popular spot for both locals and tourists, often crowded with people taking photographs and enjoying the view of the city.