For more than two weeks, the Russian attack on Ukraine soil has started a war between the two countries. While the war has devastating effects on the country in many different aspects, this article will introduce the 7 Wonders of Ukraine, which the war might damage. Learn about the “Ukrainian seven wonders” here. In 2007, this list of the most interesting monuments was created by a vote of the Ukrainian public and hundreds of experts.
The fortress in Kamenec Podolski
Approximately 20 kilometers from the border triangle with Moldova and Romania lies Kamenets Podolski, a significant historical and multicultural city that was the capital of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1919 and 1920. Its emblem is a large castle dating back to the 12th-14th centuries.
It had an important function in the past in defending the southeastern Christian frontier against the Tartars and Turks. Local rulers rebuilt it several times over time without affecting it architecturally. So, there are several styles mixed. The stone-strewn barriers are most impressive, which even a cannonball could not break. The castle was, therefore, very difficult to conquer.
Kievsko-Pechersk Lavra
The most sacred site of Ukrainian Orthodox believers covers 28 hectares on the hills above the Dnieper River in the capital city of Kyiv. Due to this location, the shimmering golden domes of the monastery complex can be seen from far away. As this important Orthodox monastery is called, Lavra was established in the middle of the 11th century by two pilgrims.
However, at the time, it was only a labyrinth of caves where the monks lived. Only in later centuries did the temples above become a spiritual and cultural center, printing books and producing icons. In addition to the religious buildings, there are several museums.
Chortycja Island
With a length of 12 kilometers, Chortytsia near Zaporizhzhia is the largest island in the Dnieper. Since the 16th century, there has been a fortress here of Cossacks, blood-thirsty warriors capable of destroying practically any enemy. Nowadays, in the place of the former fort, there is an open-air museum, faithfully reproducing the appearance of the settlement at that time.
There are an ataman’s residence, common dwellings, workshops, an armory or an Orthodox church built entirely of wood. The tubes of cannons and howitzers peek out from between the fortifications. It is as if one is transported back centuries!
Sofiyivka Park
In the opinion of voters, it is the most beautiful place in Ukraine. It extends over 179 hectares in the city of Uman, located in the center of the country. A half-million visitors a year pass through the huge park, which is an arboretum of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. The tourists should take a whole day to explore it.
You can admire fountains, pools and waterfalls, and two thousand species of native and foreign trees. Sofijivka has been open since 1802 and was built by Polish nobleman Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki as a birthday gift for his wife, Sofia.
Chotyně Fortress
Just a few kilometers away from the already mentioned Kamenets Podolski, in the windings of the Dniester River, there is the Chotyn Fortress. This site has constantly been patrolled to protect an important trade and customs hub.
A stone castle was built here in the 14th century. Many armies have passed through here over the centuries, as have the state authorities to which Chotyň was subject. Genius loci have not evolved over time. Quite the contrary, history is omnipresent here and has been used by many film crews.
Chersonésos
In the Russian-occupied Crimea, at Sevastopol, just off the Black Sea, are the remains of the ancient city of Chersonésos. The city’s name founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC means “peninsula”. In the 14th century, it was destroyed by Turkish invaders, but its ruins with the marble columns of an early Christian basilica are still preserved. Unlike the ancient architecture, Chersonès also has the modern Cathedral of St. Vladimir from the late 19th century.
St. Sophia Cathedral
Kyiv’s oldest church has stood in the center of the Ukrainian capital since the middle of the 11th century and was built by the master builders from Constantinople. Earlier it was the center of education – it housed the first school and library of the whole Kievan Rus. At its time, the temple was captivated by its rich interior decoration.
Most mosaics and frescoes have been preserved to this day. Among them, the most famous is the mosaic of the Virgin Mary, which is several meters long and is considered unbeatable by the faithful. The cathedral’s interior is the burial place of the famous prince Jaroslav Moudrý.
