Khanenko Museum

Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko spent four decades from the 1870s buying art across Europe and left the collection and their house to the city. It is the strongest holding of non-Ukrainian art in the country: Italian, Dutch and Spanish old masters, Byzantine icons including several very early Sinai encaustic panels, and substantial Asian and Islamic collections. The mansion interiors, panelled and painted room by room, were built for the pictures and survive.

What you actually see

• The Sinai icons - encaustic panels among the oldest surviving icons anywhere.
• The old masters - Italian, Dutch and Spanish painting across the main floors.
• The Asian collections - Chinese, Japanese and Islamic holdings in their own rooms.
• The house - the Khanenkos' own interiors, built around the collection.

When to go

Year round; the museum keeps set hours and closes on Mondays and Tuesdays. Checking current opening before travelling is worthwhile. Mornings are quietest.

Honest expectations

Opening arrangements have changed repeatedly in recent years and parts of the collection have been off display. Labelling is limited in English. Photography is restricted.

Nearby

The National Art Museum is nearby, and Khreshchatyk is a short walk.