This crazy, crazy world ~ Walk around psychiatric hospital

Oh yes, I agree, a bit unusual place for walking. But even more unusual is what I saw there. It was so unexpected that I definitely want you to see it too. Intrigued?

The idea to walk in this direction came to me a years ago or so. Finally, why to not give it a try for a Wednesday Walk challenge started and running by @tattoodjay? Especially while the weather is still nice and it's a place that can be reached by feet. Good opportunity to get some fresh air and explore new are.

I moved only 3 years ago. One day, I heard a story about a woman who's escaped from a hospital nearby and blocked 6 lanes on a nearby street. That's how I learned that somewhere in the bushes and trees that overgrown the surrounding hills in the downtown, there is a mental hospital. Another day, I came across an announcement of the author's tour, which included the history of the hospital. I didn't get on the tour, but I wondered why this place was included in the route.

We walked straight through the woods. I wasn't alone, no way, it was a middle of the day and I was with my hubby. So, we approached from the back.

I think that means we're here. This building is the most distant from people and is surrounded by a fence with barbed wire and a watchtower.

Kyiv City Psychiatric Hospital looks very old and it's old indeed. It was founded 235 years ago by decree of the queen Catherine II. Now it's named after the same Ivan Pavlov, winner of the Nobel Prize, a man who first formulated the concept of unconditional and conditioned reflexes.

Passing by some buildings, I even thought they were abandoned. In one wing there are broken windows and plants growing from the walls, and in the other wing there are modern windows and doors. It is difficult to understand what is happening here. Now this medical institution has a bad reputation as a treatment facility.

The history of the hospital began with the monastery. It was closed by Catherine's order, and they started in monastery's cells a house for persons with disabilities and the last refuge for crippled soldiers instead. Over time, it relocated to a separate building on the territory of the monastery (now a functioning church and museum) and its own cemetery nearby.

Later, people with mental disorders began to be sent here, and in 1806 the home for the disabled officially became a psychiatric hospital. During the First World War, the hospital received wounded soldiers from the front, of whom there were so many that they put a railways to it.

Since childhood, I am afraid of such places, even walking past the high deaf fence of a psychiatric clinic in my hometown was scary. We are used to being afraid of the unknown, it's our "default feeling". On the other hand, it would seem that for uninjured person, everything new should arouse curiosity and interest. Question on the topic, but not to me I suppose. This time my curiosity beat the fear :D

Center of Medical and Social Examination, and Epileptic Center

Door's open, thus, the building is in use...

Or not? O_o

I entered the courtyard and noticed a squirrel. There were even 2 of them playing with each other. The first pleasant thing.

Oh, looks like here is the main building of the hospital. Volunteers have decorated these grey walls full of sorrow with murals but sun showed to them no mercy.

Nice to see it's being renovated.

And look at ... what's that? Is it a mockery or a joke?

And it's not the only piece of art here! I see now what's this all about. Some of them are really cool.

Look at that, there's even tourists taking selfie. Okay-okay, it's Nick.

My goodness, who's this lady trying to escape with flowers... Fantasy has no limits.

And these guys ... by the way is he alone or three of them? Hm, 3 heads but 4 legs. I'm confused. Anyway, this art reminds me illustrations to some folk tales, only the style not the characters themselves.

And this art calls: "Sasha, come out for a walk!"

This is a building for children, judging by the theme and style of the pictures on the walls.

And squirrels are everywhere here. They're aware of people but let them close and take pictures :)

This cutie holds half a walnut. Amazing :)

I loved this idea with hanging umbrellas. I mean I started to like this place.

Looks like some volunteer really likes umbrellas as well.

And lanterns... There were a lot of them here, similar but with some difference.

This place resembles a children's playground. Probably it is.

In the depths of the territory there is a monument to Ivan Pavlov. He is in a very poor condition.

I was actually starting to get used to it, when suddenly saw ... this. I asked myself, and I've been racking my brain... imaging what on earth is the idea of putting this ... art here. Later, I've read that there is a city legend saying that sculptures at the mental hospital were created by patients with mental disorders. I must confess this was my first guess. A part of the treatment or such, but no. They were created by normal people, well, I'd doubt it. 🤡

I've seen it all now. Here I decided that it's time we were leaving. While my mental state is normal, LOL