Cherkasy (Cherkassy) 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 200km south of the nation's capital, Kiev.

Cherkassy is one of the most picturesque cities on the right bank of the river Dnepr with population of 300 000 inhabitants.

Today Cherkasy is an important economic and cultural-educational centre. Cherkasy is a very green city. Plants occupy 2470 hectars of its territory, among them there are 6 parks.

History

The city was founded in late 13th century. In the 15th century Cossacks populated the Cherkassy region and the city became a mighty fortification against the raids of Turks and Crimean Tatars. For further defense against enemies, the Cherkassy castle was built (now the Hill of Glory). The city then developed around the castle. During the war of liberation between 1648 and 1654 Cherkassy fulfilled an important role as defense against Polish gentry headed by Ukrainian hetman B. Khmelnytsky.

The northern part of the city was planned in 1820 by the famous architect V.Geste like a chess-board, with wide streets and public gardens. Cherkassy is a prosperous city thanks to manufacture plants of trains and steamboats, the first sugar refinery of Ukraine and also a tobacco factory. Cherkassy became one of the main transit points for wood transported from the northern part on Dnepr. That is why you will find a lot of furniture companies here. In 1954 Cherkassy became the capital of a new region (called Cherkassy oblast, the youngest region of Ukraine) and since then the population grew five times.

Education

Cherkassy has three state universities and several privately owned ones. There is Shevchenko Drama Theatre, the Cherkassy Philharmonic, Shevchenko Museum, Museum of Arts and also there is a Super League Basketball Club “Cherkassy’s Monkeys”.

Attractions

The Hill of Glory with eternal flame is devoted to people who died in World War II. The Hill of Glory now stands where the Cherkassy castle was in the past.

The Park of October Anniversary is the green pearl of Cherkassy. You can admire a Cherkassy mermaid in the middle of a beautiful lake cascade or the Bridge of Love which is crossed by every local couple on the day of their marriage.

The St. Michael’s Cathedral was built in Byzantine style in 1994. The cathedral is 58 meters long, 53 meters wide and 72 meters high which makes it the tallest in Ukraine. It also has a capacity of hosting 12 thousand people.

The Shevchenko Museum is the oldest building still standing (built in 1852) and it is the house where Taras Shevchenko actually lived during his visits to the city.

You can also visit the Sofyivka Park

Economy

The industry is mainly concentrated in Cherkasy, the oblast's capital and the largest city. A chemical industry was developed in the city in late 1960s in addition to machine building, furniture making and agricultural processing.

Industry

The industry is mainly concentrated in Cherkasy, the oblast's capital and the largest city. A chemical industry was developed in the city in late 1960s in addition to machine building, furniture making and agricultural processing.

How to get to Cherkassy

Cherkassy is 169 kilometers away from Kiev. It takes 2,5 hours by car. Or you can take a marshrutka (small yellow bus) from metro station Kharkovskaya or Chernigovskaya. The fare is 30 Hryvnas.