The Land Of The Cossacks: Heading Out To Khortytsia

When talking about the wonders of Ukraine, we can’t help mentioning Khortytsia. Moreover, it belongs to the official list of Seven Wonders of Ukraine. It is the largest island on the Dnipro River and the unique natural complex. It is the place with a long and interesting history. Nowadays, Khortytsia is a cultural and historical park, always welcoming and waiting for visitors.

The name

There are several versions concerning its origin. According to one of them, it comes from the name of the ancient Slavic god of the sun – Khors. According the other one, the word Khortytsia derived from the Turkic Horta, which means the middle. According to the folk version, the shape of the island resembles a greyhound (Ukrainian – хорт, pronounced as khort).

Nature

In the past, anyone could get to Khortytsia on foot along the spit. This not very large area combines almost all landscapes and natural areas typical for Ukraine. Nearly a thousand of diverse plant species grow on the island. There is a century-old pear and several dozen of centenary oaks. About ten trees grow on the island for nearly 300 years. Khortytsia is inhabited with over 30 species of mammals and over 120 species of birds. The island has several lakes and beams. It is surrounded by other smaller islands and cliffs.

History

Khortytsia was inhabited as early as in the Paleolithic era. The remains of ancient settlements of Slavs and representatives Cherniahivska culture were found here. The famous Greek historian Herodotus stayed here for a while. In the thirteenth century, counts of Kyiv Rus met on Khortytsia before the battle with the Mongols on the river Kalka. And from the late fifteenth century, this place had become a refuge for all those who fled from feudal oppression. Hence, the most interesting part begins: the history of Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. In 1775, after the dissolution of Sich, Catherine II presented the island to Count Potemkin. Khortytsia was visited by many prominent people, including Taras Shevchenko, Mykola Lysenko, and Ilya Repin.

Historical and culture complex Zaporozhian Sich

This is, perhaps, the most interesting historical and cultural attraction around the island. Visitors found themselves in Cossacks’ settlement with its unique architecture, culture, and everyday life. Today, Cossacks still live there.

Construction officially began on Oct. 14, 2004. This is a symbolic day – the feast of the Holy Virgin, the protector of Cossacks. This is also the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks.

There are protective fortifications around the camp – a shaft, a ditch, and picket fencing. The complex consists of two parts – the suburbs and the inner Kish. All buildings and interiors represent typical Cossacks’ dwellings. There is a military office, a urinary school, and a church.

How to get there?

Khortytsia is situated next to the city of Zaporizhia. The information about tickets there can be found on the official website of Ukrzaliznytsia or on the webpages of transfer companies. You can easily get to the island from the city by public transport. Buses No. 55 and 56 depart from the railway and bus stations.

Khortytsia Island is a very interesting place. There are several amazing cultural and historical centers and tourist routes. But we’ll tell more details about them next time.