Chernivtsi

City of Chernivtsi is the heart of green Bukovyna. This picturesque city drowning in green gardens is the regional center of Chernivtsi oblast, located along both riverbanks of the twisting Prut. Chernivtsi is the city with unique attitude towards traditions in life, art and culture. It is administrative, economic and cultural center of Chernivtsi region.
The city of Chernivtsi contains many of Ukraine's most impressive sights and is considered one of the country's centres of education and culture. Chernivtsi has even been nicknamed "Little Vienna" for its combination of Baroque, Neoclassical, and Hungarian architecture.

Under archeological information the city appeared in XII century as a “Chern” fortress (“Chiorny Gorod” (Black City). The first mentioning of Chernivtsi could be found in certificate of Moldavian master O. Dobryi. Up to 1774, the city was subordinated to Principality of Moldova, which, in its turn was vassal of Turkey and played a significant role at the important trade way to Europe and Byzantium. The city was defended by B. Khmelnitskyi’s Cossacks (1650), during Russian-Turkish War (1735-1739) – famous Stavchanskaya battle under Khotin.

Modern historical heritage of ancient Chernivtsi is a complete, almost inviolable ensemble of monuments of this period - middle of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. Not exaggerating, there are no examples of city building of such quality and value in Ukraine. On the statue account the area of 226 hectares there are 706 monuments of cultural heritage, 20 of which are of national value.
You will see the majority of Chernivtsi's historic attractions in the old town and a large pedestrianised zone means it is easy to walk around.

Near Theatre square there is real masterpiece of Chernivtsi, an architectural symbol of the city, one of seven objectsof Ukraine were included into the World heritages of UNESCO - former residence of orthodox metropolitans of Bukovyna and Dalmatia. The residence was built on the place of an old Episcopal palace in 1864-1882 by well-known architect Joseph Glavki. This is a nonconventional complex of buildings with prevalence of elements of Byzantian and Romane styles, and with decor motives of Renaissance architecture, gothic style, Eastern moorish and jewish elements. Take a look at the coloured tiled roof; the designs mimic the traditional folk art and embroidery of Ukraine. In the grounds, the Botanic Gardens provide a natural setting well worth exploring.
Today J. Fedkovich Chernivtsi national university is located here.
Chernivtsi is also known for its museums, including the Museum of Local Lore, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Folk Architecture and Way of Life. You can also catch a performance at the Chernivtsi Puppet Theatre, renowned throughout Ukraine and particularly popular with children.

The most interesting sights are:

• Monument to Khotyn Insurrection
• Churches: Mykolaia of 1607, Voznesenskaya of XVII century, Spiridonovskaya of 1715, Rozhdestva of 1767, Uspinnaya na Kalichantse 1783 in Chernovtsy, Voznesenskaya of XV century in Luzhany, Ilinskaya with bell tower of 1560, Zdvizhnskaya 1561 in Podvalnyi town
• Residential complex of Bukovyna and Dalmatsiya metropolitans of 1864-1882 (now it is a Chernivtsi University)
• Rest of Russian army redoubts since Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774
• Three storey cave “Zolushka” with gallery and inside framing near Podvornoye village
• Monuments of part and gardening in Chernivtsi
• “House-Ship”
• Rock “Kamennaya Bogachka”
• ”Liagushka” Rock (Frog rock) in Tovatnitsa village
• City town hall
• Ringplatz square (the modern Central square)
• Regional theatre named after O. Kobylianska
• Kobylianska and Panska (Pishohidna) streets
• Palace of culture
• Theatrical square and Square of a Turkish well