7 Wonders of Ukraine: What Should You See in Ukraine
The Seven Wonders of Ukraine are the seven historical and cultural monuments chosen in the contest held in July 2007.
Here are the results and the spots you should visit:
- Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Ки́єво-Пече́рська Ла́вра)
Kyiv's Saint-Sophia Cathedral symbolizes "the new Constantinople" since Kyiv promoted itself as a new Orthodox Christian centre. The spiritual and intellectual influence of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra contributed to the spread of Orthodox thought and the Orthodox faith.
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra represents two outstanding cultural heritage monuments from the Middle Ages and Early Modern period (Kyivan Rus' and Hetmanate Periods).
The construction of the Cathedral laid the foundation of an architectural school that influenced the cult architecture and movement art of Eastern Europe.
Location: Kyiv
2. Sofiivskyi Park (Софі́ївський парк)
This park is one of the most famous masterpieces of the world landscape gardening of the end of 17th – beginning of 19th centuries.
On her birthday, in 1802, Zofia (Sofia) Potocka received the park from her husband, the Polish noble Count Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki.
There are many scenic areas in the park, including waterfalls, fountains, ponds, and a stone garden. There are series of artificial basins and ponds, waterfalls, locks, the subterranean river Acheron, and fountains. The park is decorated with a number of sculptures, mostly antique ones, and artificial cliffs, grottoes, and gazebos. The original idea of the architect was that the park would illustrate different parts of Homer's poems "Odyssey" and "Iliad".
Location: Uman, Cherkassy oblast.
3. Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle (Кам’яне́ць-Поді́льський за́мок)
The Kamianets Castle is an ancient fortress built on the steep banks of the Smotrych River to protect the town.
According to historical data, the fortress was erected some time in the 12th –13th centuries AD. At first it was used as defence building made of wood.
In the 15th century Kamianets-Podilskyi fell to the Polish gentry and became an important defensive outpost of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. A wooden fortress was rebuilt within a stone one. And in 1672 it fell to the Turks as their forces dominated the defending forces.
Now there is an impressive museum in the Castle.
Location: Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytska oblast.
4. Khortytsia (Хо́ртиця)
Khortytsia is the largest island on the Dnipro river, is located in the city Zaporizhzhia. The island has played an essential role in the history of the Zaporozhian Cossacks.
In the Early Middle Ages, Khortytsia was a key centre for the trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks.
In the 16th – 18th century, Khortytsia was a centre of the cossacks' movement where around 3 thousand cossacks constantly lived and trained before battles.
Now the island is an important historical place to visit in Ukraine.
Cossacks' fighting reenactment
Location: Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia oblast.
5. Chersonesus (Херсоне́с)
Chersonese is an ancient city located 3 miles west of modern Sevastopol in Ukraine. Ionian Greeks founded the city in the 6th-century BC. The name Chersonesos in Greek means "peninsula" and aptly describes the colony's site.
The ancient city ruins are located in one of Sevastopol's suburbs. They present a mix of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine culture.
A current museum at the territory of Chersonese has around 200,000 smaller items from 5 AD to the 15th century, over 5,000 of which are currently exhibited.
Location: Sevastopol, Crimea
6. Saint Sophia Cathedral (Софі́йський собо́р)
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It is the most ancient Christian church that is fully preserved in the East Slavic area. The Cathedral is dedicated to Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinopole (now Istambul). The Cathedral was founded in 1011, under the reign of Grand Prince of Kievan Rus, Vladimir the Great.
The structure has 5 naves, 5 apses, and 13 domes. Two-tier galleries from three sides surround it. On the inside, it retains mosaics and frescos from the 11th century.
Originally the Cathedral was a burial place of the Kievan rulers, including Vladimir Monomakh, Vsevolod Yaroslavich, and Yaroslav I the Wise.
Model of the original Holy Sophia Cathedral on the 2-hryvnia note
Location: Kyiv
7. Khotyn fortress (Хоти́нська форте́ця)
Khotyn fortress is one of the most significant and most well-preserved citadels in Europe. The first signs of fortifications appeared on the banks of the Dniester River at the beginning of the 11th century, when Prince Volodymyr the Great added these lands to the Kyivan Rus territories.
The fortress acquired its modern look at the end of the 15th century when Khotyn was a part of the Moldavian Kingdom. At that time, Khotyn was a prosperous trade centre.
In the 18th century, Turks conquered the Khotyn fortress and made it their strategic Eastern European outpost here. Then, in the 19th century – after another Russian-Turkish war – Khotyn became a part of the Russian Empire.
Today, the Khotyn Fortress is a popular tourist destination and a reenactment spot.
Location: Khotyn, Chernivetska oblast.
What wonder do you like the most? Where have you been to already?