Archive Research Services in Ukraine
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ASKANIA-NOVAAskania-Nova National Preserve. Founded in 1874 by baron von Falzfein (his son now lives in Monaco). Consists of the acclimatization zoo, botanical garden, and virgin steppe preserve (the only place in Europe where steppe has its initial look). Area - 82,500 acres. Alongside with the local species, one can see ostriches, bisons, antelopes, wild horses, llamas, zebras, etc. there. Also the Ukrainian Institute of Steppe Animal Farming is located there (can be visited on advance request by professional groups). An outing from Kherson (180 km one way); or en route Kherson - Crimea.
BAKHCHISARAY[BAKHCHISARAI]The former capital of the Crimean Khanate (Tartar Moslem state). Bakhchisaray, a settlement long before the 13th-century invasion of the Tartars, has many historical monuments worth seeing. The Historical and Archeological Museum is housed in the former palace of the Khans. The palace was built by Khan Abdul Sahal Girey in 1519; more than two centuries later fire destroyed the original structure but it was rebuilt in 1787 for Catherine the Great when Crimea was annexed to Russia. The harem is still in its original form, and so is the mosque, which dates from the 1700s; the cemetery of the Gireys has also been preserved - and so has the Fountain of Tears, the famous landmark of Bakhchisaray. A visit to at least one of the 14 cave cities, inhabited as long ago as the 6th century AD, in the neighborhood usually makes the tour still more impressive. Another addition to the tour can be the visit to the medieval fortress of Tere-Kermen on a picturesque plateau 8 km east of Bakhchisaray (there is also a cave city with more than 200 caves, among them a 9th c. cave church). An outing from Yalta (80 km one way) or Alushta (80 km one way); for tourists accommodated in Yalta or Phoros the best way is to visit it en route from Simferopol.
BATURYN[BATURIN]Former capital of the Ukrainian hetmans. In early 18th c. it used to be the residence of hetman Ivan Mazepa and was completely ruined by Russian troops in 1708. In 1750 the last hetman of Ukraine rebuilt the town leaving quite a few fine samples of classicist architecture (e.g. Hetman Palace, Church of Resurrection) for us to admire. Local History Museum is a "must-go" for those interested in the Cossack history. An outing from Chernihiv (170 km one way), Kyiv (220 km one way) or Sumy (175 km one way), or en route Kyiv - Chernihiv (Sumy, Kursk), Chernihiv - Sumy.
BERESTECHKOAlso known as the "Graves of Cossacks" (Kozatski Mohyly). The place of a major battle between Ukrainian Cossacks and the army of the Polish king Jan III in June 1651. Every year in June (exact dates confirmed every year) ceremonies in commemoration of the Cossacks who perished in the battle take place. Of particular interest for tourists of Ukrainian background. For average tourists the "theatrical simulation" of the battle in the authentic environment might be of interest.Architectural monuments: Thekla's Chapel (17th c.; according to the legend, erected on the mass burial place of 500 girls tortured to death by the Tartars in Berestechko); Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (18th c.). An outing from Lviv (140 km one way) or Rivne (135 km one way), or en route Rivne - Lviv, Lviv - Lutsk.
BERYSLAV[BERISLAV]Short stops in Beryslav and Nova Kakhovka are possible en route Kherson - Crimea to see the ruins of the Turkish fortress Kizikermen (16th century) and the wooden Church of Resurrection (1726) in Beryslav, and the ruins of Korsun Monastery (18th century) in Nova Kakhovka. In the 19th - early 20th c.c. Beryslav was a major Jewish settlement in the Kherson Gubernia of the former Russian Empire.
BRODYOver 900-years old town that used to be a major trade center of Kyiv Rus.One of the western Ukraine's biggest and oldest Jewish cemeteries is located in the town. There is also a major mid-18th century synagogue. Brody is the native town of the prominent Yiddish writer Joseph Roth. In July 1944 a big battle of the Ukrainian Division "Halychyna" with the Red Army took place in the vicinity of Brody. In 1994, when I last time met the Mayor, they were planning to erect a monument. Updated information on this subject is not yet available. An outing from Lviv (95 km one way) or Rivne (130 km one way), or en route Lviv - Rivne (Zhytomyr, Kyiv). Also can be included into the trip to Pochaiv.
CHERNIHIV[CHERNIGOV]We have decided that this ancient town deserves a separate page.
CHUTOVE[CHUTOVO]An outing from Poltava (45 km one way). The trip includes a visit to the local stud farm, horseback riding, and lunch. Can also be visited en route Poltava - Kharkiv.
DELYATYN[DELYATIN]The Museum of Carpathian Nature and Wildlife. An outing from Yaremche (10 km one way); also can be included into the outing to Kolomiya. Also can be visited en route Lviv - Yaremche or Chernivtsi - Yaremche.
HALYCH[GALYCH, GALICH]Usually visited together with Krylos, the center of ancient Halych, now a village near the new Halych. The area where the old (12th century) capital of Prince Danylo Ghalytskiy, the founder of Lviv, was. The ruins of the castle, a couple of churches and chapels of 14th-16th centuries. An outing from Ivano-Frankivsk (35 km one way). However, it is better to visit both places en route Lviv - Ivano-Frankivsk or Lviv - Yaremche. Lunch in Rohatyn, the birthplace of Turkish queen Roksolana (1st half of the 16th century), at a nice provincial restaurant can be added.
HLUKHIV[GLUKHIV, GLUKHOV]The town was founded in the 10th c. Located on the border, Hlukhiv for centuries had been a major fortress. In the 18th c., under Hetman Rozumovskyi, the city was the main administrative and business center of the left-bank Ukraine. Tourists visit the baroque St. Nicholas Church (17th c.) located on the square where the Cossac Hetmans used to be elected, Transfiguration Church (early 18th c.), St. Anastasia Church (late 19th c.) with its wonderful iconostasis.
HOSHIV[GOSHIV, GOSHEV]The place blessed by Our Lady, where in the 16th century a monastery was founded. A popular place of Christian pilgrimage. An outing from Lviv (100 km one way), Ivano-Frankivsk (80 km); or en route Lviv - Ivano-Frankivsk (at the expense of Rohatyn, Halych and Krylos), Lviv - Yaremche, Lviv - Uzhgorod. Can be combined with the visit to Stariy Uhryniv.
HRUSHIV[GRUSHIV, GRUSHEV]Village north of Drohobych (according to several guidebooks, Hrushiv is located in Yavoriv district; that is not "the Hrushiv"). The Holy Trinity Church (early 18th c.) in Hrushiv is not only a beautiful example of Galician traditional architecture, but also a place of pilgrimage from all-over the world. The church gained renown during the 1970-ies and 1980-ies after parishioners reported seeing a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A day-trip from Lviv (75 km one way).
KAMYANETS-PODILSKIY[KAMENETS-PODOLSKIY]We have decided that this amazing town deserves a separate page.
KANIV[KANEV]Kaniv (162 km from Kyiv, 64 km from Cherkasy). An outing from either of the cities or en route Kyiv - Poltava, Kyiv - Cherkasy. Outings can be done by motorcoach both ways; by motorcoach one way and by boat back; by boat both ways. Visit to the grave of Taras Shevchenko, the greatest Ukrainian poet and the symbol of Ukrainian national liberation, and his memorial museum. The tour is especially popular among the tourists of Ukrainian ethnic origin. Lunch at local restaurant in Kaniv. Check out the entry on Taras Shevchenko in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, University of Toronto Press, Inc., 1993 (from Ukrainian FAQ+).
KAPULIVKAVillage in the vicinity of Zaporizhya. Usually visited in the form of a day trip from Zaporizhya. Includes the visit to the grave of the famous Cossack leader Ivan Sirko; visit to the collective farm to get acquainted with modern rural life; local cuisine picnic (usually it includes sturgeon ukha - fish soup) by the sounds of folk music.Visit en route Kirovohrad - Zaporizhya. Homestay overnight at the village is also possible.
KHOTYN[KHOTIN]See Kamyanets-Podilskiy.
KOLOMIYA[KOLOMYIA]A charming quiet Galician town. Groups that stop there en route to/from Chernivtsi usually visit the Museum of Traditional Carpathian Crafts. It is recommended that tourists visit the museum prior to the shopping at Kosiv fair for them to exactly know what is good when shopping. Accommodation at the "Prykarpattya" Hotel is possible, but not recommended (a typical Soviet-style hotel built in early 1970-ies that probably has not been renovated ever since). A day-trip from Yaremche (45 km one way) or Ivano-Frankivsk (50 km one way). Also can be visited en route Lviv - Yaremche (Ivano-Frankivsk) or Chernivtsi - Yaremche (Ivano-Frankivsk).
KOSIV[KOSOV]Shopping for traditional local souvenirs (woodcarvings, "lizhnyks" - ornamented sheep wool blankets, carpets, leather goods, embroidery, etc.) at the Kosiv Fair (every Saturday). An outing from Yaremche (70 km one way), Chernivtsi (85 km one way), or Ivano-Frankivsk (115 km one way). The fair can also be visited en route Yaremche - Chernivtsi or Ivano-Frankivsk - Chernivtsi.
KOZELETSFormer HQ of several Cossack regiments. Has quite a few wonderful samples of Ukrainian baroque architecture.An outing from Kyiv (78 km one way) or Chernihiv (68 km one way), or en route Kyiv - Chernihiv (Sumy, Kursk).
KRYLOSSee Halych.
MANYAVAA place, where in a picturesque location in the thick woods a secluded monastery was founded in 1611. Recently the monastery has been restored, and is now a major tourist attraction of the area.An outing from Yaremche (65 km one way) or Ivano-Frankivsk (60 km one way).
MEDZHYBIZH[MEDZHYBOZH, MEDZEBOZ]Anyone who at least have heard of Hasidism is sure to have heard the name of this town and the name of Israel ben Eliezer [Baal Shem Tov], the founder of modern Hassidism. Ba'al Shem Tov lived in Medzhybizh from about 1736 until his death in 1760. His grave site is the major Hassidim pilgrimage place. The town was founded in mid-12th c as a fortified border point of the Galicia-Volynia Principality. In the mid-16th c. (already under the Polish reign) a stone castle was built. Though not spared by time, it is still quite impressive. So is the 16th c. palace of the Lubomirskies. In the 17th-19th c.c. Medzhybizh was a typical Jewish shtetl (at the end of the 19th c. 6,040 inhabitants out of the 8,164 were Jewish). An outing from Khmelnytskiy (35 km one way) or en route Kmelnytskiy - Vinnytsya.
NIZHYN[NEZHYN]An ancient town known since early 12th c., when it was a fortress of Chernihiv Principality completely destroyed by Mongol-Tartars in mid-12th c. In 1625 the city was rebuilt Since that time the history of the city has been interwoven with the history of struggle for Ukrainian statehood. A major center of the Ukrainian Enlightment. Has a number of fine samples of sacral architecture (mostly 18-19 c.c.). An outing from Kyiv (126 km one way) or Chernihiv (83 km one way), or en route Kyiv (Chernihiv) - Sumy (Kursk).
NOVA KAKHOVKA[NOVAYA KAKHOVKA]See Beryslav.
OLESKOUsually visited together with Pidlissya (optional) in the form of a day-trip from Lviv (78 km one way) or en route Lviv - Rivne.Visit to the Olesko Castle, one of the former summer residences of the Royal family of Poland (14th-17th centuries); Museum of Markiyan Shashkevych, one of the founders of the Ukrainian literary language, in Pidlissya (the latter mostly for tourists of Ukrainian ethnic origin). Lunch in the village of Biliy Kamin nearby.
OPISHNYA[OPOSHNYA]The center of traditional Ukrainian pottery. Visit to the ceramics factory and the museum. Visits to the private studios of local potters. Shopping. An outing from Poltava (45 km one way). Also can be visited en route Poltava - Kyiv.
PIDLISSYA[Podlesie]See Olesko.
POCHAIV[POCHAEV]The Pochaiv Monastery (16th-20th centuries), also known as Pochaiv Lavra, is a major East European Christian sanctuary always full of pilgrims from all over Ukraine and neighboring countries. The tour usually includes visits to the Assumption and Trinity churches, and the cave chapel of St. Iov of Pochaiv. Day-trip to Pochaiv usually includes a visit to the village of Pidkamin located about 45 min drive from Pochaiv. This is a place that undoubtedly deserves to be on the front page of The National Geographic Magazine. It derived its name from a huge hanging rock. In the 17-th c. a wonderful Baroque church was built there by the Dominicans, which made the view even more impressive. The Dominican Monastery in Pidkamin was turned into asylum by the Soviets, and just recently returned back to the church (though a part of it still belongs to the psychiatric hospital). Right by the monastery stands a pillar with the gilded statue of the Virgin Mary of Gdansk Day-trip from Lviv, Ternopil or Rivne, or en route between these cities.
PRYLUKY[PRILUKI]Founded in early 11th c. Both in the times of Kyiv Rus and later in the Cossack period it was a major fortress (the last fortification system was erected in late 18th c. some fragments of which one can see today). It also was a major center of education. Has quite a few fine baroque churches and cathedrals, as well as baroque ammunition depot (one of only few secular baroque buildings that are still in tact). The town's history is closely connected with numerous Cossack uprisings, 1648-54 war for independence, etc. For more information local history museum is worth visiting. Can be visited en route Kyiv - Sumy.
PUTYVL[PUIVL]In the 12th c. the town was the capital of the Novhorod-Siverskyi Princes, Ihor (or Igor) - who fought Polovtsians - is probably the best known. Later, in the 16th c. the city became a major border fortress. The major sites are: the 16th c. Molchanskyi Monastery with its Nativity Cathedral, as well as the 17th c. Transfiguration Cathedral, and the 18th c. St. Nicholas Church.
RESHETYLIVKA[RESHETILOVKA]The center of local crafts, visit to the factory manufacturing handmade carpets and embroidery goods, museum of the factory, shopping there. An outing from Poltava (34 km one way). Can also be visited en route Poltava - Kyiv.
ROHATYN[ROGATYN, ROGATIN]See Halych.
STARIY UHRYNIVThe birthplace of Stepan Bandera, the leader of Ukrainian nationalists. The Memorial Museum. Mostly for tourists of Ukrainian background.An outing from Ivano-Frankivsk (43 km one way); or en route Lviv - Ivano-Frankivsk- Yaremche (at the expense of Rohatyn, Halych and Krylos). Can be combined with the visit to Hoshiv.
UMANThe main tourist attraction is the Sophia Park (1796), often referred to as "Sofiyivka". One of the most beautiful parks in Europe, originally built by the leading architects and park engineers of Western Europe for one of the richest magnates of Poland Count Pototsky or, rather, for his Greek wife Sophia. Later it was rebuilt to match the tastes of the new owners - the Royal family of Russia.In Uman spent his last days and was buried Rebbe Nachmman of Breslov the leader of the Breslover Chassidim. Rebbe Nachman's grave site is a major Chassidim pilgrimage place. The town used to be the HQ of the Uman Cossack Regiment. Can be visited en route Vinnytsya - Odesa (Cherkasy, Kirovohrad), Kyiv - Odesa.
UNIVUniv Holy Assumption Monastery. The Monastery is the headquarters of the Studites (founded by Clementy Sheptytskiy). Under the Soviets the building was used by a psychiatric hospital and gradually turned into ruins. Recently, due to the efforts of the Studites, the Monastery has regained its original splendor. Today it is a major place of pilgrimage and a unique sample of medieval (14th c.) fortress-like monastery architecture. Tourists also visit the 14th c. Assumption Church, house of Clementy Sheptytskiy (restored fall 1999), rich collection of sacral objects at the Monastery's museum. They may visit the graveyard in the woods, where monks were secretly buried during the Soviet rule. Visitors will also see how the monks live now in their daily prayers running a small cattle farm, bee hives, helping orphans and disabled.Day-trip from Lviv or en route Lviv - Ternopil, Lviv - Ivano-Frankivsk.
VELYKI SOROCHYNTSI[VELIKIYE SOROCHINTSY]Last weekend of August is the famous Sorochynskiy Yarmarok (Sorochyntsi Fair), where one can buy specific local souvenirs (ceramic pots, embroidery, porcelain, wood carvings, etc.). Also the Church of Transfiguration, the burial place of Ukrainian Hetmans, can be visited there. An outing from Poltava (100 km one way); or en route Poltava - Kyiv.
According to "Sun Herald" columnist Atanas Kobryn, "for Ukrainians of Western Ukraine... the Zarvanytsya place of worship was equivalent to Fatima in Portugal or Lourdes in France". It has been a major pilgrimage place for centuries. The shrine of a miraculous icon of Mary, Mother of God, was destroyed during the war and the Soviet communist occupation. As of fall 1999, construction of a new Basilica Of Blessed Virgin Mary In Zarvanytsya was under way. It should be completed in 2000. Zarvanytsya can be visited on a day-trip from Ternopil (90 km one way), Ivano-Frankivsk (90 km one way), or - though it is a bit farther - from Chernivtsi (165 km one way). En route Ivano-Frankivsk - Ternopil or Ternopil - Chernivtsi. |