Luhans'k. The city was founded in the late 18th c., though the
banks of the Luhan' were inhabited in the early 8th c. BC. The nomad Scythians
lived there, and later the Sarmatians, Pechenegs, and Polovtsians. In the early
16th c. the sentry posts of the Zaporozhian Cossacks appeared in the Dyke pole (wild
field). Ukrainian and Russian peasants fleeing from the growing oppression
settled nearby.
In 1800 the Luhans'k foundry smelted first iron. The cannons cast on the banks
of the Luhan' thundered on the Borodino field in 1812 and during the Crimean War
of 1853-1856 in heroic Sevastopol'. The Glory Obelisk in Poltava erected in
commemoration of the victory over the Swedes is made of Luhans'k metal, as well
as monuments in Kliastyntsi and Polots'k in honour of the victory in the 1812
Patriotic War.
The famous lexicographer V. Dahl (1801-1872) was born and spent his first years
of life in the city. Now his museum is opened in Luhans'k and there is a
monument to the author of the explanatory dictionary of the Russian language.
You can learn about the history and culture of the city at the history, local
lore and art museums.
Aidar-Mykolaivka. Near the village there are picturesque
monuments of nature – the Aidar Terrace and Sheep's Foreheads. The Aidar Terrace
is a narrow strip of flooded forests along with lakes and swamps where rich
coastal-aquatic flora grows. The Sheep's Foreheads, a monument of geology, are
unique limestone rocks 50 m high.
Danylivka. The village was founded in 1765 on the bank of the
Derkul River simultaneously with the construction of Derkul'skyi stud farm,
which is now an architectural monument.
On August 30, 1860 in the village a famous scientist, mountaineer and military
topographer A. Pastukhov was born into the family of a stableman.
Luhans'k reserve. Created in 1968. At present it has three
departments: Stanychno-Luhans'ke, Stril'tsivs'kyi Steppe, and Proval's'kyi
Steppe. The total area of the reserve is 1,576 ha. The Stanychno-Luhans'ke
department was created with the aim of preservation and enlargement of the
population of a rare valuable animal desman. The Stril'tsivs'kyi Steppe
department is known not only as a reserve of the virgin steppe flora but also as
a specialised wildlife refuge for the protection of European marmot. The
Proval's'kyi Steppe department is aimed at protecting the steppe landscape of
the Donets' Ridge. Of special interest are Korolivs'ki (Royal) Rocks, its
largest and very peculiar part.
Oblast farmsteads