Komyshuvakha. Secrets of the Bantysh Estate

There is a belief that the Donbas land is an agglomeration of industrial towns, terrikons and factory chimneys that place a man-made burden on the environment. How wrong are those who think that Ukraine's industrial heartland has no places for tourists. The most famous are the national nature park "Sviati Hory", the Lyman Blue Lakes, the chalk mountains, the Bilokuzmynivka rocks.

Fifteen kilometres from Kramatorsk there is a unique corner where the beauty of natural landscapes comes together with a place for townsfolk to rest, the history of the region, an architectural monument, tales of astonishing destinies, incredible legends and even mysticism.

Komyshuvakha. Kramatorsk city council. Donetsk region

Starobilsk. The Convent of "Joy of All Who Sorrow"

More than once I have heard it said that Donbas had no spiritual life, no feats of ascetics, and that its people are not as pious as in other regions of Ukraine.

The history of the Starobilsk Holy Convent of "Joy of All Who Sorrow" is an example of the unbreakable strength of faith, a testimony to the love and virtue of its founders and inhabitants, of those who "conferred not with flesh and blood".

Starobilsk. Luhansk region. Convent of "Joy of All Who Sorrow"

Chernivtsi. A Promenade Around the Central Square

Every city has its own main square, and the history of the city is bound up with the story of how that square came to be. These squares are known for their monuments and are always beloved of townsfolk and tourists alike. It is here that momentous events take place, festive occasions are held and guests are welcomed.

Chernivtsi. The Central Square. The Town Hall

Green Kramatorsk. Sporting Kramatorsk. The Bernatsky Garden

Kramatorsk is an industrial centre of Ukraine in the Donetsk region, where the city's industrial landscapes alternate with protective green zones, parks and public gardens. The oldest of them has recently been given a second life.

Kramatorsk. The city Bernatsky Garden

Pedestrian Streets of Ukraine. The Tourist Appeal and Prestige of Ukrainian Cities

The streams of cars several lanes deep on the city arteries are becoming ever more endless, and our cities are caught in a web of transport links.

How wonderful it is that streets are being created where the main figure is the pedestrian, for whom comfortable conditions have been made and to whom cars are barred. Usually they are located in the historic centre, festive events are held on them, and their landmarks are the calling cards of the cities.

Let us stroll along some of them, beloved of townsfolk and tourists, and begin with the main artery of Kyiv, which becomes pedestrian on weekends and holidays.

Kyiv. Khreshchatyk. Independence Square