Cherkasy. The city was founded in 1147. At the end of the 14th
c. Cherkasy was a fortress on the southern approaches to Kyiv. In 1483 the city
residents repulsed successfully an attack of Menglis-Guirei's hordes, and in
half of a century withstood a month's siege of troops led by Khan Saidet-Guirei.
The Liberation War of the Ukrainian people (1648-1657) against the Polish
oppressors led by outstanding military leader and statesman B. Khmel'nyts'kyi
was an important stage in the centuries-old struggle for independence.
The name of T. Shevchenko is closely associated with the city. In 1845-1846 the
poet visited Cherkasy several times. Here writer V. Korolevych (Les' Homin) was
born and began his creative endeavour, as well as the graphic artist V.
Zamyrailo and one of the first stratonauts Y. Ukrains'kyi.
Cherkas'kyi forest on the outskirts of the regional centre is a wonderful place
for recreation of guests of the city and its residents.
Kamianka. The town is first mentioned in the documents of the
Liberation War of 1648-1657. Kamianka was in B. Khmel'nyts'kyi's possession; in
1730 it passed into the hands of magnates Liubomirskis, and in 1787 became the
property of G. Potemkin. In the early 19th c. the Decembrists P. Pestel, S.
Muravyev-Apostol, M Bestuzhev-Riumin, S. Volkonsky and others gathered there for
their secret meetings. The Decembrists Park (formerly the romantic park of the
Davydovs) is a famous monument of landscape architecture. It is also interesting
to visit the Zelenyi Mlyn Park, the Trostianka and Plakivs'kyi forests.
Kaniv. The first chronicle mentions of Kaniv date from 1078. In
the 12th c. Kyivan Prince Vsevolod founded here St. George's Church, later re-dedicated
to the Holy Dormition. At that time, Kaniv had already been a well-known town
and played a significant part in the life of the Kyivan state.
In May 1861 thousands of Ukrainians attended the funeral of T. Shevchenko, the
great son of the Ukrainian people. The poet was buried on Chernecha, now
Tarasova, Hill.
In October 1941 famous writer A. Gaidar was killed near Kaniv. His grave is now
in the town park, next to the Dormition Cathedral.
Kanivs'kyi reserve. Created in 1968 to protect and study typical
mid-Dnipro landscapes in the
forest-steppe zone. Its total area is 1,035 ha.
The territory of the reserve is interesting in the geological, botanical and
archaeological aspects. The reserve is located in the region of Kaniv
dislocations which present a belt of highly dissected upland. Hornbeam forests
prevail in the territory of the reserve. On the slopes of the southern
exposition are steppe sections. More than 500 species of higher plants grow in
the reserve, 33 of them being rare and disappearing. There live 47 species of
mammals, 242 of birds and 41 of fish. The reserve territory comprises
archaeological monuments: Kniazha Hora, The Greater and Lesser Scythian sites,
and Mariina Hora.
As Kaniv is an important tourist centre, the reserve plays partially the role of
the national park. Several itineraries have been made out for guided tours. The
Museum of Nature located in the territory of the reserve is very popular with
the visitors.
Korsun'-Shevchenkivs'kyi. The town was founded in 1032. At that
time, during the reign of Prince
Yaroslav the Wise, Korsun' became a powerful stronghold in the way of the nomad
invaders.
In 1648 a battle took place here, which was of decisive importance for the
Liberation War of the Ukrainian people: B. Khmel'nyts'kyi's army inflicted a
crushing defeat on the troops of Polish Hetmans M. Potocki and M. Kalinowski.
In 1944, in the Korsun'-Shevchenkivs'kyi Battle, which was called New Stalingrad,
German invaders lost 55,000 soldiers and officers, 18,200 were taken prisoners.
This battle started the liberation of Right-Bank Ukraine from the Nazi yoke.
The town is associated with the name of the great son of the Ukrainian people T.
Shevchenko. The old
chestnut-tree, under which the great poet liked to rest, grows in the
picturesque town park, a monument of landscape gardening.
Smila. The settlement appeared in the early 16th c., when at
this place Yats'kiv Farmstead was founded. Soon the Tatars destroyed it. At the
end of the century, the unregistered Cossacks built there a settlement and
called it Tias'myne, after the river on which it stood. In 1633 the settlement
became the property of Polish magnate S. Koniecpolski.
After a time Tias'myne again was captured by the Tatars. There is a legend that
some unknown girl led the Cossacks through impassable swamps to the rear of the
enemy. The Cossacks killed the Tatars but failed to guard the girl. The girl was
buried on the bank of the Tias'myn. As the name of the girl was unknown, she was
called Smila (Brave). With time, the town got the name of Smila. Now at the
entrance to the town a stele stands with the representation of the brave girl
and the Cossacks.
Uman'. First written mentions of the town date from 1616. Its
name probably comes from the name of the Umanka River which runs through the
town. Among the architectural monuments of the town we should mention the row of
stalls (1780) and the Assumption Roman Catholic Church (1826). Nearby the famous
Sofiivs'kyi Park spreads on the area of 150 ha. It is one of the most famous
monuments of landscape architecture created in the late 18th c. Polish Prince
Potocki presented the park to his Greek wife Sofia and called it Sofiivka in
honour of his beloved wife. This wonderful park is a real gem of European
landscape gardening.
Zolotonosha. The territory of the contemporary town was settled
in the olden times, which is testified by the remains of a Kyivan Rus site.
Zolotonosha appeared in 1576.
In the early 17th c. the Krasnohirs'kyi Convent of the Holy Intercession was
founded here. In 1771 the Transfiguration Cathedral, a monument of the Ukrainian
Baroque style, was built in the Krasnohirs'kyi Convent after the design of
architect I. Hryhorovych-Bars'kyi.
Writers S. Skliarenko and M. Tereschenko studied here, and I. Le wrote his
novels. Of great interest is the Museum of Local Lore, one of its sections is
devoted to the creativity of T. Shevchenko.
Oblast farmsteads