CHERNIGOV FOR TRAVELERS

Chernigov is a Ukrainian city on the right bank of Desna river. It dates back to the VII century AD. Actually, the signs of first people living in Chernigov area are traced back to more than 150 000 years ago. The archeologists found numerous artifacts of the stone age near contemporary Chernigov: musical instruments made of sea shells and mammoths bones, jugs with patterns that later appeared at ancient Greek and Romean art.

There are several versions of the origins of Chernigov name. Some people guess that the word Chernigov originated from the word “Chorny” or Black. Dark forest surrounded the city and was so dense that people called it black. There is also the version that the city derived its name from the ancient people Chorni Klobuki, meaning black hats.

Another legend narrates about Prince Chorny, who ruled in Chernigov in the X century, and his daughter Chorna. The Princess was amazingly beautiful, enjoyed horse-riding and hunting and was a good archer. The Khazars’ Kagan (the ruler of nomadic tribe which got tribute from Prince Chorny) learned about the girl’s beauty and decided to marry her. He sent to Chernigov his ambassadors with rich presents, but the proud girl refused to marry her people’s enemy. Then Kagan went angry and decided to seize the city and take the girl away by force. The Chernigov people beat off numerous attacks and then Khazars decided to lay siege. During the siege a gang of traitors rushed into the Princess’s room on the upper floor of the mansion. The Princess managed to hit some of the enemies from her bow, but then ran out of arrows and jumped out of the window.

The historians’ official version is that Chernigov was founded in the VII century by Prince Cherniga, on the place of Slavic settlements and later became the center of Chernigov princedom. At the end of the IX century, when Kiev prince Oleg conquered siveryan who lived near Desna river, the city became part of Kievan Rus. In 1239 it was destroyed by Tatar-Mongols. Under Lithuanian rule, there was a fortress in Chernigov. Later it became the province center as a part of Russia.

The city still preserved a lot of ancient sights and is very interesting for cultural trips. It is convenient to travel to Chernigov from Kiev, as the distance between the cities is only 130 km. One hour and a half by car, and you can roam its streets, see its cathedrals and have rest at its night clubs and discos. Even Kiev dwellers often go to Chernigov to play bowling, to swim in the river, to watch its sights and just to have nice time.

This city is full of historic sights dating back to the ancient times, it collected numerous architectural monuments of the time before Mongol invasion. Chernigov also has several comfortable hotels, some night clubs and restaurants where you can have rest, eat and drink a glass of beer.

Chernigov sights:

• Detinets and Kotsubinsky park. It includes several monuments located on Desna beach: Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of the XI century, Borisoglebsky Cathedral, built in the XII century, Chernigiv Collegium, Tarnovsky museum, the monument of Taras Shevchenko. There are also remains of boyars castles and houses in Detinets. Twelve cast-iron cannons of the XVII-XVIII centuries are located there.
• St Catherine church, the Alley of Heroes. It is located on the hill opposite to Detinets. The church is built in Ukrainian Baroque style by Lisogubs, representatives of cosacks. The museum of Ukrainian decorative arts is located close to it.
• Troisko-Ilyinsky Monastery (1069) was founded by Antoniy Pechersky. The largest undeground church in Ukraine is located in Antoniy caves, which are 316 meters long. The monastery also has Ilyinska church, Troitsky Cathedral (1679), Vvedenska church with the refectory, 58 meter Bell-tower and cells.
• Eletsky Uspensky Monastery (XI century), Proletarska St, 1. It was founded by Chernigiv Prince Svyatoslav and also has caves of ancient Russian period. The architecture is in Ukrainian baroque style: Uspensky Cathedral, 36 meter Bell tower, Petropavlovska church with refectory, cells.
• Pyatnitska Church (XII-XIII в.в.). It was the main building of Pyatnitsky Monastery before 1786, later rebuilt in ancient Russian style.
• Black tomb (X century), corner of Proletarska and Vorovska St. According to the legend, the prince-founder of Chernigiv was buried there.

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