Cherkassy Ukraine information
Cherkassy (Ukrainian: Черкаси, pronounced [tʂɛrˈkɑsɪ]) is a city in central Ukraine. It is the capital of the Cherkasy Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Cherkasky Raion (district) within the oblast. The city itself is also designated as its own separate raion within the oblast. The city is located on the bank of Dnieper River (specifically at the Kremenchuk Reservoir), about 200 km south of the nation's capital, Kiev.
Cherkassy Ukraine oblast population - 1,341,000 (2006).
Cherkassy Ukraine oblast land area - 20,900 sq. km.
The capital of Cherkassy region is the city of Cherkassy, its population is about 300 thousand. There are several explanations of the name, and one of them says that in many historical documents of the XVI-XVII centuries the two words “Cherkassy” and “Cossacks” had the same meaning “free horsemen”. And really - the whole history of the town is inseparable from the history of Ukrainian Cossacks.
For the first time the name of Cherkassy was found under the date of 1394 when it was already a well protected fortress on the territory subordinated to Lithuania. In the XV-XVI centuries the role of Cherkassy as a protecting stronghold against tartars and Turks greatly increased. Its castle that stood on the place of the Glory Hill was one of the strongest in this area. In the mid-XVII century the town became the central fort of the Cherkassy Cossack regiment and many important historical events took place here during the period of the liberation war of the Ukrainians against the Polish oppression in 1648-1654.
After the Russian-Polish war in 1667 Cherkassy again fell under the Polish rule, and from 1686 for 25 years it was announced as “no man’s” land where nobody could settle as a new-comer. In 1711 the Poles again possessed the town till the end of the XVIII c. In 1795 Cherkassy became part of Russian Empire. At the beginning of the XIX c. The town grew along the river and it was often flooded in spring time. In 1815 the first general plan of the town was proposed to the citizens. In the first half of the XX c. Cherkassy looked like typical small provincial town.During WWII the towns suffered sever damages especially when the Soviet troops took the offensive trying to cross the Dnieper and to liberate the right bank of the river that had been turned by the Germans into a strongly fortified defense line.
Not so much buildings of old style with interesting architectural elements one can find now in the city. In 1954 Cherkassy became the centre of a newly formed administrative region of Ukraine. It gave a new impact for its development. The life of the city was greatly influenced by the construction of an artificial lake for Kremenchug hydro-power station in the 1950-ies. The lower part of the city was covered with water and what was before on the hills looks now as rather flat land. Within the last 40 years the population of Cherkassy increased four times.
Cherkassy impresses everybody with pleasant wide boulevards and scenic river vistas, most its central walkways are lined with chestnut trees. Not far from the central square is an elegant building of local Music and Drama Theatre. House of Books is worth to be visited not only because of the book collection but because of its interesting interior decoration in the best Ukrainian traditions. One must visit the Museum of local lore that houses 12,000 exhibits. Here you can find many interesting items about the heroic past of Cherkassy, among them the Diorama of an old town and its fortress. Among the attractions of the city there are the Cherkassy Art Museum, Monument to the legendary Old Rus bard Boyan in the 700th Anniversary of Cherkassy Square.
The history of Cherkassy is closely connected with the names of two great Ukrainians – Bogdan Khmelnitsky and Taras Shevchenko. The monuments to them are real masterpieces of art. Everybody visiting Cherkassy can’t miss a visit of the Glory Hill with an impressive Motherland monument the monument honors the men and women who lost their lives defending the city from the Nazi invasion. Their names are inscribed on a wall below the hill. The sight from the hill includes a majestic view of the river and the lovely Valley of Roses along the river. Not far is the Church of the Holy Trinity. There is also a Roman-Catholic chapel. On August13, 2002, the biggest in Ukraine Orthodox St. Archangel Michael’s Cathedral that can house 12,000 people was unveiled. Not numerous but strong Jewish community is very active in the cultural life of the city.
While visiting Cherkassy one can take a side trip to Zolotonosha to visit a functioning nunnery. We cross the river along the longest on the Dnieper dam (15 km), some more 15 km and a traveler is surrounded by tranquility that can be found only at the monasteries. It is the Theological Saviour Transfiguration convent organized in the XVII c. and it resumed its activity in 1991. Situated on a hill overlooking the peaceful countryside, the convent’s main church, the Transfiguration Church, was built in 1767-1771 in the Ukrainian baroque style by famous architect Grigorovych Barsky. It is a real architectural gem.
Today Cherkassy maintains a tranquil atmosphere quite different from that of larger industrial cities found throughout Eastern Europe. Influenced by its ties to agriculture, visitors are treated to "small town" hospitality. Residents still have time to stop and assist visitors who look lost or unsure of their surroundings. Single men will also be pleased to learn that Cherkasy is often referred to as the "town of brides", with a favorable ratio of 6 girls for every single man.
A railway line from Moscow to Odessa goes through Cherkassy, crossing the Dnieper River here on a 12 km (7.5 mi) long combined rail and automotive dam with bridge.Cherkassy oblast territory accounts for 3.5% of the total area of Ukraine. The agricultural land of Cherkassy region amounts to 1,456,000 ha.
As of January 1, 2006, 2.9% of the Ukraine's population lived in Cherkassy oblast, among them 57.9% in towns and settlements, 42.1% in rural areas.
Cherkassy oblast is located in the center of Ukraine and has an advantageous geographical position. The territory of Cherkasy region is crossed by major highways, railways and the Dnepr River. The length of Kremenchuk water reservoir is 130 km. Its average depth is 6 m; the total flood area reaches 2,252 sq. km.
Cherkassy Ukraine oblast administrative division
Cherkassy oblast includes 20 administrative districts, 16 towns of oblast subordination (Cherkassy, Vatutino, Kanev, Zolotonosha, Uman, and Smila), 15 towns, 819 villages.
Cherkassy Ukraine oblast economy
Cherkassy oblast industry: over 300 industrial enterprises producing mineral fertilizers, chemical fiber, agricultural and processing machinery, energy, coal, assorted consumer goods and food products.Cherkassy oblast agriculture: cattle farming and plant-growing are equally strong.
