Vinnitsa or Vinnytsya Ukraine Information

Vinnitsa is also known by a variety of other names, such as Vinnytsya, Vinnitsa (Russian: Винница) and Vinnica (Polish: Winnica). Some of these reflect names in foreign languages that have had historical influences on the city.Vinnitsa (Ukrainian: Вінниця, pronounced [ˈwinnɪtsʲa]) (also known by other names) is a city located on the banks of the Southern Buh River, in central Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Vinnytsia Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Vinnytskyi Raion (district) within the oblast. The city itself is also designated as its own separate raion within the oblast, and rests in the historic region of Podillia.

The current estimated population is 363,000 (2006).

Vinnitsa Ukraine city land area - 61 sq. km.

Vinnitsa Ukraine city phone code - +380-432.

Vinnitsa Ukraine city postal code - 21000.

Since the end of World War II, Vinnytsia has been the home for a major Air force base, including an airfield, a hospital, arsenals, and other military installations. The Ukrainian Air Force Command has been based in Vinnytsia since 1992.

 
Geography and Climate

Vinnitsa is located about 260 km (160 mi) from the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, 429 km (267 mi) from the port city Odessa, and 369 km (229 mi) from Lviv.

A long lasting warm summer with a sufficient quantity of moisture and a comparatively short winter is characteristic of Vinnitsa. The average temperature in January is −5.8 °C (22 °F) and 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) in July. The average annual precipitation is 638 mm (25 in).Throughout the year, 6–9 days per year include snowstorms, 37–60 days of the year include mists during the cold period, and 3–5 days include thunder storms with hail

History

Vinnitsa has been an important trade and political center since as early as the sixteenth century. More specifically, the city played a significant role during the Cossack wars as well as during World War II. Great Purge victims' graves were exhumed by the Germans in 1943.Adolf Hitler sited his easternmost headquarters FHQ Wehrwolf near the town and spent a number of weeks there in 1942 and early 1943. Führerhauptquartier Wehrwolf was the codename used for one of Adolf Hitler's World War II Eastern Front military headquarters located in a pine forest about 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) north of Vinnitsa in Ukraine that was used between 1942 and 1943. It was one of many other Führer Headquarters throughout Europe.

The complex was located in a pine forest about 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) north of Vinnitsa in Ukraine, between the villages of Stryzhavka and Kolo-Mikhailovka. Hitler's accommodation consisted of a modest log cabin built around a private courtyard with its own concrete bunker. The rest of the complex consisted of about 20 wooden cottages and barracks and up to three "B" class bunkers, surrounded by ring of barbed wire and ground defensive positions connected by underground tunnels. A couple of observation points were set up on platforms in the oak trees surrounding the pine forest.

There was a tea house, a barber shop, a bathhouse, a sauna, a cinema theatre and even an open swimming pool for the inhabitants' use. Although this pool was primarily intended for Hitler, he never once swam in it. The facility also contained a large vegetable garden organized by the German horticultural company Zeidenspiner to provide Hitler with a secure supply of food.The bunkers were constructed by Organization Todt and local Ukrainian workers. The complex was served by a daily 3-hour flight connection from Berlin to the airfield in nearby Kalinowka. There was also a regular train connection from Berlin-Charlottenburg to "Eichenbein" station at Wehrwolf. The ride took 34 hours. Adolf Hitler lived mainly at FHQ Wolfsschanze; he stayed at FHQ Wehrwolf only three times:

Nazi atrocities were committed in and near Vinnitsa by Einsatzgruppe D. Estimates of the number of victims run as high as 28 thousand

 
Tourist Sites of interest / Tourism

 
Vinnitsa Zoo - One of the youngest zoos in Ukraine, the Vinnytsya Zoo is inhabited by 45 animal and 35 bird species in total almost 400 animals. The happiest event this year in 2009 at the zoo was the birth of the American bison baby. According to the zoo keeper Vasyl Klepka, Ukraine's wild don't possess these animals at all that is why Vinnitsa bison's birth can be considered as a significant event in the world of animals.

Wehrwolf German Bunker - Adolf Hitler's World War II headquarters used to conduct operations on the Eastern Front from 1942-1943. Little to see other than ruins and several monuments to prisoners who were shot after construction of the complex was finished. (War history enthusiasts may find the site interesting.) Located just 10km north of Vinnitsa at the village of Stryzhavka.

Transfiguration Cathedral - Holy Transfiguration Cathedral was opened in 1758 as the Dominican Monastery. The monetary was closed in 1831 and used as an organ hall during the Soviet era, until it was reopened as an orthodox cathedral in 1991. It is located across from the Central Post, next to the Vinnitsa Nature and History Museum.

Vinnitsa Drama Theatre

Address: Teatralna 13, close to Boulevard Soborna

 For those speaking Ukrainian or Russian, a trip to the nationally recognized Vinnitsa Drama Theatre should be included in your visit. Tickets range from 10 hrv. To 300 hrv, depending on the show and the drama troupe.

Mykhailo Kotsybyns’ky House and Museum

Location: Bevza 15, Close to the “Central Bridge” on the train station side of the Bugh River. Telephone (0432) 26-32-98. While visiting the home of this famous author of Ukrainian novels and short stories, you can also experience a Ukrainian traditional dwelling of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

 Afghan War Museum and Slavic War Memorial Park

Located behind Hotel Ukraina, on Grushevskoho and Kozitskoho Streets.

Museum open daily. Memorial Park open during daylight hours.

 No admission fee to Museum or Memorial Park

This charming park in the heart of Vinnitsa commemorates local soldiers from WWII and the Soviet-Afghan War. The Afghan War Museum is located in the red-brick bell tower. Exhibits include photos, letters and other artifacts representing Vinnitsa soldiers who fought in that war. The Memorial Park contains a large statue representing three different soldiers from WWII. An eternal flame burns in front of the statue. Visit the park on weekends to watch local brides come to lay flowers on the monument to those who died during WWII. This wedding custom is common throughout Ukraine, but the Slavic War Memorial Park in Vinnitsa is one of the most picturesque parks where visitors can witness this tradition. 

Gorky Park

Located in the center of Vinnitsa. Main entrances are off of Teatralna Street and across from the Univermag.Open: During daylight hours No admission fee

A welcome bit of green space in the summer, and a snowy, fairytale landscape in the winter, Gorky Park has something for everyone. There are benches to sit and relax for awhile, a pavilion to watch war veterans strategize over chess, a large play area for children, a grass hockey field, ice skating rink and even pavilions to sample local food and drink. Periodically, Gorky Park is host to city festivals and concerts.

Polish (Roman) Catholic Church

Location: Soborna 12, across from the Vinnitsa Nature and History Museum

 Vinnitsa’s most important Polish (Roman) Catholic church has mass services in Ukrainian and Polish. The organ music attracts ardent worshipers, and sometimes the church hosts classical music concerts featuring musicians from all over Europe, including Germany, Poland and Russia. 

Vinnytsa Orthodox Cathedral

Location: Soborna 23, across from Central Post

No admission fee

Originally a Dominican monastery, the Vinnitsa Orthodox Cathedral is located next to the Vinnitsa Nature and History Museum. Today it is a stunning example of Ukrainian Orthodox architecture and painting. Visitors are welcome, but please remember to be respectful of worshipers. Women should cover their heads with a small scarf while inside the church.

 Vinnytsa Art Museum

Location: Soborna 19, next to Vinnytsa Nature and History Museum

Open Tues-Sun Admission: 2 hrv.

The Vinnitsa Art Museum offers a good collection of local artwork. The painting collection is the largest in the museum, and includes many pieces by talented Ukrainian artists.

Vinnytsa Nature and History Museum.

Location: Soborna 19, next to Orthodox Church

Open: Tues-Sun Admission: 2 hrv.

This regional museum offers a glimpse of life in the Vinnitsa oblast over the last 2,000 years. Following a small exhibit on local flora and fauna, visitors may view artifacts from the area’s pre-historic inhabitants. Many rooms are dedicated to Vinnitsa’s many diverse rulers, from Polish, Austrian and Russian, to the more recent Nazi and Soviet occupations. The final exhibit includes a selection of artifacts from the Jewish community of Vinnytsa.

Close to the City Center:

Bugh Riverboat Cruise and Sabarov Park

Location: Boat departure from the train station side of the “Central Bridge”

Hours of Operation: Boats depart every hour in the spring and fall, and every half hour in the summer. For obvious reasons, the boat does not operate in the winter when the Bugh River is frozen! Last boat is at 17.00

Ticket Cost: 7.5 hrv to Sabarov Park from Vinnitsa city center, return ticket same price In the summertime, a riverboat cruise on the Bugh River is a great way to cool off and see Vinnytsa from a different perspective. The cruise upriver lasts about 35 minutes, and passengers may disembark at Sabarov Park. The park features an impressive rock cliff, and several paths lead to the top for those who enjoy physical activity. The park is also a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch, and a small food kiosk sells cold drinks and ice cream for a refreshing snack. The return trip takes the same amount of time, and as you purchase one-way tickets only on the boat, you may linger at the park as long as you like.

 Lesopark

Location: Entrances along Khmelnytske Shosse in the Vishenka Region of the city.

Open: Daylight Hours No admission fee.

“Les” means forest in the Russian language, and this city park is exactly that – a forest. There are no food kiosks, playgrounds or other activities here, only endless paths through the forest. If you want to enjoy Vinnitsa as the locals do, pack a picnic lunch from the small food bazaar across the street from the entrance and head into Lesopark. Barbeque pits are plentiful in forest clearings if you want to try shashlik (barbeque). And in the winter, the forest is a wonderland perfect for cross country skiing or snowshoeing. In any weather, don’t forget to pack out what you pack in. Vinnitsa recently embarked on an anti-littering campaign, and Lesopark is one of their big targets!

Pirogov Chapel and Mummy.

Location: Close to the Pirogov Museum.

Open: daily Taxi to the chapel is approximately 12 hrv. From the city center. The chapel is a ten minute walk from the museum, if you are combining the two sites into a single excursion. A guide is advisable, as the chapel is located off the beaten path, and no English is spoken.Admission: A small donation is requested from visitors to the chapel (5 hrv. is appropriate).Curious visitors also have the opportunity to see a very unique site in Vinnitsa. Nikolai Pirogov left instructions before his death on the preservation of his body. Today, he is the oldest of three such preserved bodies in the world. His fellow preserved compatriots? Lenin and Mao. Locals simply say “Mo-mee-ya”, or mummy. Included with the viewing of Pirogov is a glimpse into his family chapel. Various family members are buried near the chapel, albeit in more traditional methods.

Pirogov’s Home and Museum

Location: On the outskirts of Vinnitsa at Pirogova 155, past the “Vishenka” neighborhood and Reservoir Lakes and Park (also worth a stop).Open: daily Taxi to the museum is approximately 10 hrv. Alternatively, you can take Tram #6 to Vishenka and walk to the museum.Admission: Free, but small donations are appreciated. English language book available with exhibit descriptions upon request.

Nikolai Pirogov (1810 – 1881) is undoubtedly Vinnitsa’s most famous citizen. Pirogov is famous for many advancements in modern medicine, most notably utilization of the first modern field medicine during the Crimean War and the use of ether in developing safe anesthesia for surgery patients. He spent his retirement years in the Vishenka region of the city, where he ran a free clinic on his estate. His home is now a museum open to the public, with exhibits on his lifetime achievements. His study remains intact, and you may also view actual instruments Pirogov used during surgery. Note the painting in the hallway depicting an intimate concert in Pirogov’s home given by his contemporary in the region, Pytor Tchykovski. 

Orthodox Church of St. Mikola (1746 Wood Podyllian Church)

Location: From the center, across the ‘Old City’ Bridge (Starogorodskiy Most) and up the hill.

No admission charge

Nestled on a hill overlooking the Bugh River, this church is one of the last examples of 18th century wooden Podyllian architecture. The church is a short walk from the center of the city, and well worth the trip.

Short Distance Excursions:

Nemyriv Scythian Ruins Hike “Valli”.

Location: 45 minutes by car from Vinnitsa.

If you speak Ukrainian, Russian, or have a willing guide who can point you in the right direction, don’t miss hiking to the Scythian Mounds outside of Nemyriv. The hike is 5-10 kilometers round-trip, depending on how far you go, and takes you to ancient Scythian mounds that create an enormous circle amid farmland and local scenery. There are no signs, so ask a local resident and walk right out of town through the park to begin the hike. If you need a room for the night, the Nemyriv Sanatorium has clean, comfortable rooms for approximately 50 hrv per night.

Nemyriv Princess Palace, Art Museum and Park.

Location: 45 minutes by car from Vinnitsa.

 In the heart of Nemyriv – a city made famous by Nemiroff brand vodka – is a beautiful palace and within it, an art museum. The palace was once owned by a Russian princess, and is on the grounds of a beautiful park. In the park is a set of connecting lakes that are perfect for a mid-afternoon picnic.

Shops for Souvenirs and Groceries

 Vinnitsa offers many shopping opportunities, ranging from European and American clothing, traditional Ukrainian crafts and souvenirs, antiques. Stroll down Vinnitsa’s main street, Ulytsia Soborna, to find all of these items, cafes, restaurants and more.

Traditional Ukrainian Handicrafts:  Souvenir booth

Location: Univermag across from Gorky Park, 3rd floor

Open: Monday – Friday 9.00 – 20.00, Saturday 9.00 – 19.00, Sunday 11.00 – 18.00

 For handmade embroidery, woodcrafts, pysanky and other crafts.

Souvenir - Location: Soborna, 41

Open: Monday – Friday 10.00 – 17.00, Saturday 10.00 – 18.00, lunch 14.00 – 14.30

Closed: Sundays

Recently remodeled, this shop has reasonably priced "pysanky", "matryoshka" dolls, "rushnyky", embroidery, woodcrafts, baskets, woodcrafts and a large selection of "sorochky".

 Bazaars: City Flower Market, for beautiful fresh flowers at inexpensive prices. Located on Soborna near Gorky Park and Tealtrana Boulevard.

Central Bazaar, for food, furniture, clothing, electronics, traditional crafts and an astonishing variety of other items. Located on Boulevard Kotsyubynskoho, a few blocks from the train station.

There are two other bazaars that you may want to check out: the Privokzalny bazaar right next to the train station is a good place to buy fresh fruit and vegetables; and the new Municipal bazaar located on Frunze Street is where you will find many of the clothing and shoe kiosks that used to be in the Central bazaar. You can get there on Tram #4 or Marshrutka #35. 

 Urozhai Fruit and Vegetable Market

 The best source for fresh local and imported produce, meat and dairy year-round. Located on Boulevard Pirogova. Use tram 1, 2, 5 or 6 and disembark at the Pirogov Medical University stop.

Western-style Grocery Stores:

Furschette - Located across from Barske Bus Station.

Corona - 3 locations: on Pirogova across from the Medical Univ; in Vishenka on Yunosti near Keletska St., and near the Municipal bazaar.

Cilpo- 4 locations: “Univermag” across from Gorky Park; across from Train Station; in MagiCentre