In the north-eastern part of Ukraine, on the banks of the Vorskla River, the picturesque city of Poltava is located, which is the main administrative center of the Poltava region. He became famous thanks to famous writers such as Nikolai Gogol, Panas Mirny and Ivan Kotlyarevsiy, who were born and worked here. And it was in Poltava that the legendary Battle of Poltava took place with the participation of Peter I. On the territory of the city there are many beautiful squares and parks, as well as interesting cultural sites and funny monuments, such as the Poltava dumplings.


Round Square and Korpusny Garden

One of the symbols of the city is the magnificent architectural and park complex Round Square. If viewed from a bird's eye view, the area looks like an ideal disk up to 400 m in diameter, divided into four equal parts.

 

 

 

In the center of the square is the Glory Monument, a memorial sign in honor of the valiant warriors of the famous Battle of Poltava, on top of which a gilded eagle flaunts. Eight streets radiate from the monument, like the rays of the sun, each of which overlooks an architectural structure significant for the city.

 

A park, called the Korpusny Garden, is laid out across the entire territory of the square, which is more than 100 years old. After taking a walk in the garden, you can admire the living plantings and sculptures, or just sit on a bench and enjoy the beauty.

 

Alley of Gogol's Heroes

The alley is located in the city center near the Korpusny Garden. The procession of heroes is headed by a bronze monument to the writer himself, and further along the perimeter there are eight literary images embodied in sculptures. Among them are the famous "Vakula", "Solokha", "Taras Bulba" and "Pannochka". And although over time the snow-white monuments have worn out a little and lost their former beauty, the square with them still remains a favorite resting place for guests of local residents of the city.

 

Ivanova Gora or Cathedral Square

An equally interesting and favorite place for cultural recreation of local residents and tourists is Ivanova Gora, a natural hill, from the top of which a beautiful panorama of the city opens. It was here in the 17th century that the Poltava Fortress was located, which is reminded of its restored part - the Podolskaya Tower.

 

Now Ivanova Gora is called Cathedral Square - in honor of the recently restored masterpiece of Ukrainian baroque, Holy Dormition Cathedral. In addition to the cathedral on Ivanova Gora, you can visit the estate-museum of the classic of Ukrainian literature Ivan Kotlyarevsky, the best Poltava restaurant in the Ukrainian style "Ivanova Gora" and the elegant white horseshoe-shaped Friendship Rotunda known as the White Gazebo. Next to the pavilion there is a modern monument to dumplings and a memorial sign of the Ipatiev Chronicle, in which Poltava (Ltava) was first mentioned.

 

Also on Cathedral Square there are many small squares with fountains, flower beds and benches where you can sit down to rest.

 

Poltava battle field

On the site of the large-scale battle of the Russian army with the Swedish troops during the Northern War, there is the largest in Ukraine cultural and historical reserve "The Field of the Poltava Battle", an area of ​​772 hectares. In the protected area there are many memorable sights: the Museum of the History of the Battle of Poltava, a mass grave of the fallen Russian soldiers, monuments to the defenders of the Poltava fortress and the Cossacks, memorial signs in honor of Peter I, granite obelisks standing on the site of the fortifications. There are also Holy Cross Monastery, Sampsonievskaya and Spasskaya churches.

 

In the history museum, you can see exhibits and get acquainted with the culture and customs of the Ukrainian people of the 17-18 centuries, and in one of the halls a huge panorama is deployed, breathtaking, which depicts one of the last battles of the Battle of Poltava.

 

In addition to viewing historical expositions and monuments in the reserve, you can stroll through the beautiful arboretum. It has picturesque ponds, a lilac grove and all sorts of green spaces.

 

Aviation Museum

A museum appeared on the site of the disbanded airbase of heavy bomber aircraft. Among the exhibits exposed in the open air, you can see legendary bombers, missiles and bombs that were in service with the Soviet army.

 

The most interesting thing is that you can not only see the planes up close, but also climb aboard them and wonder what's inside.