Where was Chernobyl filmed?

Most of the scenes of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant showcase the daring and remarkable efforts made by Valeri Legassov (Jared Harris), Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgård), and their team to contain the effects of the nuclear disaster. It also shows how they were forced to work in a hazardous environment and risk their lives to save others.

We all recall the moment when we were introduced to Anatoly Dyatlov (Paul Ritter) in the control room of Reactor 4. He was left speechless by the shocking events that had occurred. Even today, 37 years later, this scene still serves as a reminder of the immense courage displayed by those who were affected by the disaster.

The scenes depicting the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant station were filmed at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania. Constructed and commissioned in 1983 and closed down by 2009, this plant was essentially a smaller version of its Ukrainian counterpart, hence why it successfully replicated its visual aesthetics on screen. Located near Visaginas town in northeastern Lithuania, it still stands today, although it remains in disuse.

Getting to Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant from Vilnius involves taking a train or bus ride from Vilnius’s central station to Ignalina. Once there, take another bus or private transport from Ignalina’s central bus station towards Visaginas town. Tours are available for all sites that were filmed in Lithuania.

In the second episode, Dr. Ulyana Khomyuk (Emily Watson), one of the few scientists on duty on that fateful day, takes a sample from a measuring station in Minsk that had its radiation alarm go off seven hours after the Chernobyl accident. She determines that the source is a nuclear fuel leak based on the isotopes present in the air.

This scene opens from a view of Kyiv's "friendly atom" mural. The series identified the location as the Byelorussian Institute for Nuclear Energy in Minsk, while it is actually the Institute for Nuclear Research located in Kyiv. The mosaic still adorns the building’s exterior wall, an ironic representation of how nuclear energy can be beneficial and dangerous.

The Institute for Nuclear Research was once the epicenter of Ukrainian scientific research into nuclear technology during Soviet times. In 1974, Halyna Zubchenko and Hryhorii Pryshedko created the "friendly atom" mosaic located at the Institute for Nuclear Research. It is considered one of Ukraine's most impressive examples of Soviet-era monumental and decorative art. The artists drew inspiration from science, and their mosaics were used to decorate the exteriors of research institutions and universities.

To get to the Institute for Nuclear Research, take public transport from either Kyiv Central Station or Maidan Nezalezhnosti. From there, it's about a 15-20 minute ride on the metro (green line) until you reach Vydubychi station, the closest stop to the institute, from where you can walk or take a short taxi ride to reach your destination.

Khomyuk (Emily Watson) goes to the headquarters of the Byelorussian Communist Party to warn them about the severity of the Chernobyl accident. However, the party refuses to acknowledge the gravity of the situation, claiming it is only a minor accident that could be detected in Minsk. Since she can't make any progress dealing with the party, Khomyuk decides to take matters into her own hands.

Afterward, a crucial moment in the Chernobyl series occurred in the Pripyat hotel, in the same episode. The intense atmosphere and anticipation of the impending disaster are evident. The characters (Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård) are aware of the risk they are taking by staying there, yet they know that their mission is a higher priority than their safety.

The National Technical University of Ukraine campus is where these scenes were shot. This university is well known for its excellence in providing some of the world's leading IT professionals, so it's no surprise that it was chosen as a filming location for the memorable scene.

Use the red line from Khreschatyk to Politekhnichnyi Instytut. Alternatively, visitors rent a car or take a taxi from inside Kyiv city limits to reach The National Technical University of Ukraine in Kyiv.

The scene in the third episode, where Legasov (Jared Harris) confronts Charkov (Alan Williams) to demand Khomyuk's (Emily Watson) release, is intense and nerve-wracking. Charkov acts as if he doesn't understand at first, but when Legasov offers to take the blame for any future mistakes, Charkov agrees to release her.

The scene was filmed at the Museum of Occupation and Freedom Fighting in Vilnius, Lithuania. The museum served as the headquarters of the Russian intelligence services at the time, so there are prison cells, torture rooms, and furniture still intact, creating an eerie atmosphere that made it perfect for the tense scene.

The building on Gediminias Avenue, which is currently large and white, was also used as Gestapo headquarters from 1941 to 1943. The names of the victims of both World War II and Stalinist repression are engraved on its facade.

To reach the Museum of Occupation and Freedom Fighting from Vilnius city center, hop on a bus or train that departs from Vilnius Bus/Train Station. The museum is situated along Gedimino pr. Alternatively, take a taxi or Uber, which will take around 10 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

In episode 4, Khomyuk (Emily Watson) requests several books, manuals, and research papers to obtain the technical specifications of the RBMK design. However, she is only provided with one heavily redacted paper, leading her to suspect that the state is concealing something.

The library featured in the episode is not Lomonosov Moscow University Library as portrayed on the screen, but rather the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine. The library was constructed from 1975 to 1989 and featured a combination of neoclassical and Soviet modernist architectural styles.

The segment only showcased a portion of the library, which is a beautiful and distinctive building. The library houses an extensive collection of Slavic literature and archives of renowned Ukrainian and international scientists and cultural figures.

You can get to the library using the Blue metro line or by taking public transit or a taxi from nearby locations.

The scene from the fourth episode, where Lyudmilla Ignatenko (Jessie Buckley) sits on a bench during the winter, conveys an intense atmosphere of tragedy and loneliness. The pregnant woman is thinking about her husband (Adam Nagaitis), who was one of the firefighters who died in the Chernobyl disaster.

This scene stands out among others for its powerful symbolism and emotional impact as a reminder of how the catastrophic event claimed countless of lives. It reminds viewers that amidst all the destruction caused by the nuclear accident, there were real people whose lives were affected forever.

This particular scene was filmed in the Troieshchyna neighborhood in Kyiv. It is unique because it encapsulates the characteristic features of Soviet sleeping areas: balconies, expansive courtyards, and gray walls conquered by graffiti.

Because filming occurred during the summer, the crew used artificial snow to record the scene. Some details may not seem accurate to the time, such as plastic window frames and insulated facades on the buildings. Observant viewers may notice these inconsistencies.

To get to Troieshchyna from downtown Kyiv, take a private taxi/Uber via Honore de Balzac St., the road will take you around 20 minutes, depending on the traffic. Alternatively, take a bus from Pochaina Metro station directly to Troieshchyna itself.