Poltava, Ukraine
According to clothingexpress, Poltava is a city of military glory, known to us from school in the phrase “Poltava battle”. It was here that Peter the Great defeated part of the Ukrainian Cossacks who had betrayed him under the leadership of Ivan Mazepa during the famous battle with the Swedes in 1709, which completely turned the tide of the Northern War in our favor. Here, in the 19th century, the modern Ukrainian language was born, although most of the population still speaks Russian.
Poltava is often referred to as the cultural capital of the country due to its rich history and many famous Ukrainians born here. The locals are promoting this idea in every possible way, arguing that “Poltava is the city where you want to live.” Of course, there are many cultural attractions, museums, theaters and institutions. And in the recent past, local authorities decided to take responsibility for making Poltava a clean and “European” city. It looks like they are slowly doing it.
How to get there
Trains from Kiev (from 570 UAH), Kharkiv (from 118 UAH, 3-4 hours on the way, 15 departures per day) and Odessa (from 256 UAH, 7 hours on the way) arrive at the Pivdenny Station of Poltava. You can get from the center to the station by taxi or trolleybuses No. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 11. Express trains Kiev-Kharkov stop at the Kievsky railway station (to Kiev about 300 UAH and 3.5 hours, Kharkov – from 140 UAH and 1.5 hours). The station is located at st. Stepan Kondratenok, 12.
Buses come to the main bus station number 1 at the address. Veliko Tarnovsk, which is 7 km east of the city center. From here you can get to Kharkov (100-160 UAH and 2.5-3 hours, 8 departures per day) and the Dnieper (115 UAH, 3-4 hours), as well as to Kiev by Autolux buses in 13 hours and 100- 150 UAH.
In addition, the city has its own airport accepting flights from the capital and other cities of the country.
Transport
Poltava is a rather small city, the historical center of which can be explored without using public transport. However, if you want to take a ride on it, it is better to choose bus number 62 – it passes through almost the entire center and gives entertaining pictures from the life of the local population. The fare on buses or minibuses is 4 UAH. There are several ring routes around Poltava – these are No. 19-21, which also run to the bus station.
In addition, 11 trolleybus routes have been laid in the city, the fare for which is 2 UAH. Trolleybus number 1 connects two railway stations – Pivdenny and Kyiv. No. 15 is a ring route that also calls at the bus station.
From about 11 pm until 6 am, you can only move around the city on foot or by taxi (from 30-50 UAH for a short trip).
Entertainment and attractions of Poltava
Ivanova Gora is a unique complex of sights in Poltava, the central role in which is played by the Assumption Cathedral restored in 2005. Behind him is the estate-museum of the famous writer Ivan Kotlyarevsky, where he created his “Aeneid” (entrance to the museum – 25 UAH). A barn, a barn, a crane-well, and the writer’s house have been preserved here – a typical Ukrainian building with a light room. In the office there are authentic beams, on which is carved in Cyrillic: “This house was created in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Year 1705 of the month of August 1.
The architectural ensemble of the Round Square is also noteworthy – a monument of classicism of the 19th century, which arose according to the regular building plan of Poltava in 1804-1805. Most likely, it was here that Peter I and his army met with the local population after the Battle of Poltava in 1709. The square is a circle with a diameter of 375 meters with 8 radially divergent streets. In the center is the Monument of Glory in honor of the victory, opened in 1811.
The Museum of the History of the Battle of Poltava, which was opened on June 26, 1909, is also dedicated to the memorable date of 1709. In addition, it is worth visiting the Rotunda of Friendship of Peoples (or the White Pavilion) – one of the symbols of the city.
Among the religious architecture of the greatest interest is the Holy Cross Monastery, founded in honor of the defeat of the Polish troops by the Ukrainians. Also charming are the churches of the Spasskaya, and St. Nicholas, Makarievsky Cathedral and the Church of Faith, Hope, Love. Finally, it is worth visiting the Poltava Museum of Local Lore and the local catacombs – an impressive network of dungeons that connects various parts of the old city.
Near the city is the village of Dikanka, famous for Gogol’s textbook “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka”, as well as for its ancient Kochubey oaks, sung by Pushkin in the poem “Poltava”. These giant trees have already celebrated 3-4 centuries of life and today reach a height of 20-22 meters with a trunk diameter of 150-185 cm. Oaks, according to folk tales, were planted by Colonel Ivan Iskra and Judge General Vasily Kochubey long before the Battle of Poltava. A picturesque alley of 68 beautiful trees has survived to this day in the form of four oaks, three of which grow in a row, and one grows separately, closer to the village of Dikanka. The legend says that it was near these oaks that young Marusya Kochubey met her lover, Hetman Mazepa.
