Former farming villages of Ukraine: authentic historical places to visit next

Colorful rural settlements that have witnessed centuries of history. From Cossack times to the present, they have preserved their unique atmosphere and traditions. Today, we are telling you about ancient centers that are perfect for ecotourism lovers.

Cossack Sich

It is located in the Dnipro region. In the early seventeenth century, the Cossacks lived here. There are several old manors here, which were equipped with towers, weapons, and fences. The Museum of the Cross was opened in one of the huts. On the territory of the complex, tourists will be able to see household items, furniture, and a collection of Cossack weapons: sabers, spears, and machine guns.

Travelers will also taste traditional dishes: kulish, lard, and pickles. You can also go horseback riding, knife and mace throwing, ride a cart or sleigh, and shoot a bow or crossbow.

Buses run here twice a day from the center of Dnipro. The bus stop is Kytaihorod.

Savky

Located in the village of Novi Petrivtsi near the Mezhyhirya estate in Kyiv region. The open-air ethnographic museum tells about rural life in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are two authentic huts from the Polissia region. There are also beehives, a gypsy smithy, a chumak cart, and a two-chamber cellar.

Here you can touch all household items. The exhibits are open to the public. Tourists will see pottery (pots, bowls, jugs) and handicraft tools (spinning wheels, pottery wheel).

We advise you to visit the manor of a wealthy peasant. It was built in 1786 from hewn pine logs. Here, in the traditional economic part of the Ukrainian house, there is a carpenter's workshop with a machine. By the way, the machine is over 90 years old. There is also a shoemaker's workshop with all the tools necessary for work.

Travelers will be able to taste oven dishes: borscht, pampushky, pancakes, potato pancakes, varenyky, pechenia, etc.

Mryhy

The village is located on the southern outskirts of Kyiv in the Holosiivskyi district. It probably originated in the late nineteenth century. In 1900, it was included in the "List of Settlements of the Kyiv Gubernia", which indicated the smallest settlements. At that time, there were 6 yards and 37 people living there. The residents were engaged in farming.

In 1913, it was planned to build a narrow-gauge railroad Hermanivka-Post-Volynskyi. However, due to the First World War, nothing came of it.

In 1941, fierce battles for the capital were fought in the area of Bryha. The operation was considered part of the Barbarossa offensive plan.

Today, more than 14 defensive points can be seen here. The fortifications were used to cover artillery.

Mykilskyi

It is located along Lytovskyi Avenue in the Obolon district of Kyiv. The location appeared approximately in the early twentieth century. At first, it belonged to the Convent of the Intercession. At that time, the farm flourished here, and the residents were engaged in beekeeping. In 1924, 17 people lived here, and in 1932 - more than 80. During the Holodomor of 1932-1933, unfortunately, 10 villagers died.

As of 2020, there are 12 farmsteads left here. By the way, one of the highest points of the northern urban forests can be seen near the settlement. Its height reaches 171 meters above sea level.

Kasen

It is located near the village of Povcha in Volyn. The area is characterized by a steep landscape, slopes and hills. There used to be houses and thickets here. Later, a couple from Lutsk bought the land and started an agricultural farm. They also built a terrace and rooms for tourists.

It is said that the center itself has existed for over 400 years. It was once built for workers who quarried stones for the construction of Dubno Castle. There were about 40 yards here.

Today, the Radchuks are engaged in sheep farming. A bathhouse has been set up in the old hut. You can also take a sheep therapy course here: communicate with the animals and buy things made of wool.

The Austrian Stele is located 2.5 kilometers away. It was erected in honor of the victory over Russian troops during the First World War.

We also recommend visiting the Tarakaniv Fort, an architectural monument of the XIX century. The system of defensive fortifications was built to protect the western borders. Once upon a time, it housed warehouses, living quarters, and utility rooms for an artillery company and the headquarters of the commandant.

And, of course, visit the palace in Dubno. It was built in the tenth century. Over the years, it has been changed and reconstructed many times. At one time, gold, diamonds, weapons, and food were stored here. There are also valuable archives of the Ostrozhsky, Zaslavsky, and Lubomirski princes.

Staryi

Located in the village of Opishnia, Poltava region. An ethnographic area with old houses built in 1914, 1928, 1930, and 1960, where tourists can stay overnight. Here, travelers will taste traditional dishes of the region: shpundra, halushky, vereschaka and katanka.

We also recommend visiting various workshops, including pottery, puppetry, modeling, and cooking.

Explore Ukraine! Travel in the footsteps of our ancestors!

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