Pryluky. A Walk Around the Notable Landmarks on the Town Squares
Pryluky is a district centre of the Chernihiv region whose main landmarks are concentrated on its squares, which flow into one another in a chain and make up the historic core of the town. If in other towns the tourist appeal lies in pedestrian streets, in Pryluky the pedestrian zone is formed by the restored squares on the site of the former citadel.
The Central Square took shape in the 18th century as the Bazaar Square and, over its history, changed its name several times — Cooperative Square, then in honour of Karl Marx, Lenin, Shevchenko and the Town Council, up to its present name in 1991.
Pryluky, Chernihiv region. The Central Square
The square is fairly large; mass events, festive gatherings and rallies are held here. On two sides the square is adorned with fountains, set symmetrically and shaped as granite spheres in relief bowls.
In the post-war years the square was landscaped with two gardens in honour of Heroes of the Soviet Union born in Pryluky — Ivan Dubynsky and Oleh Koshovy — with monuments to these fellow townsmen erected.
Monument to I. Ya. Dubynsky
Monument to Oleh Koshovy
The historical events in which the people of Pryluky took part are commemorated in memorial signs.
A monument-chapel in honour of the fallen internationalist soldiers
A monument in honour of the fallen ATO soldiers
A memorial sign with a bell in honour of the liquidators of the Chornobyl NPP disaster
Nor has the national poet been forgotten, who recorded in watercolour and in prose his impressions of his stay in Pryluky and Hustynia in 1845. Taras Shevchenko is depicted as a young man with a palette in his hand.
Monument to T. H. Shevchenko
The Central Square is followed by Soborna (Cathedral) Square, named after two shrines — the Presentation Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God.
The Presentation Cathedral on Soborna Square
The Presentation Cathedral was built in 1881 in memory of the murdered Emperor Alexander II, in an architectural style uncharacteristic of Orthodoxy. During the years of Soviet rule a museum was set up in the church, but even that did not save the building from the destruction of its domes and pyramidal composition.
The cathedral is decorated with openwork brickwork, but for a long time portraits of communist leaders covered the images of biblical scenes and crosses on the facade. Since 2008, after restoration, the church has been a metochion of the Hustynia Holy Trinity Convent. By the entrance to the cathedral a monument to the Holy Trinity was unveiled. Beside the cathedral stands a khachkar — a stone stele with a carved image of a cross, in memory of the Armenian genocide.
The Presentation Cathedral
From Soborna Square begins a street of the same name, and its source is crowned by a symbolic arch that still needs finishing.
Soborna Square. The arch
The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God stands at the boundary of two squares — Soborna Square and the one named after Ioasaf of Belgorod.
The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God
This architectural monument of national significance was built at the beginning of the 19th century on the site of earlier ancient churches. Fragments of 19th-century oil painting have survived in the cathedral.
From 1920 the shrine was closed and its premises used by various institutions. Since 2005 restoration has been carried out in the church. The new iconostasis and wrought-iron lamps were made by craftsmen from Western Ukraine.
By the cathedral walls stand crosses in memory of the victims of the communist regime and in honour of the Cossacks, defenders of Ukraine.
A cross in memory of the victims of the communist regime
A cross in honour of the Cossacks, defenders of Ukraine and of the Orthodox faith
The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God
In 2011, during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the canonisation of Ioasaf of Belgorod (Horlenko), a monument to the saint — always revered in his historical homeland — was unveiled on the square bearing his name.
Monument to St Ioasaf of Belgorod
On the northern side of the square rises the Holy St Nicholas Church, closed now for several years.
The Holy St Nicholas Church
The unique chiming clock, adjusted by satellite GPS signal, no longer marks the correct time with bells and music.
St Nicholas Church and the neighbouring Transfiguration Cathedral were built in the 1720s with the funds of Colonel Hnat Halahan.
The Transfiguration Cathedral
Like the other places of worship in Pryluky, in Soviet times these churches were closed and converted to other uses. After being returned to the faithful, they were restored and their grounds were landscaped.
On the wall of the cathedral a bas-relief was unveiled to St Ioasaf of Belgorod, the hierarch of Pryluky.
The Transfiguration Cathedral. Bas-relief of Ioasaf of Belgorod
Beside the cathedral stands the oldest stone building in Pryluky. The Regimental Treasury, where the Cossacks' treasure, weapons and property were kept, dates from the beginning of the 18th century.
Pryluky. The Regimental Treasury
A cannon beside the Regimental Treasury
A memorial stone recalls T. H. Shevchenko's stay in Pryluky in 1845.
A memorial stone in honour of T. H. Shevchenko
Creative plein-air sessions are held on Ioasaf of Belgorod Square. During one of them, craftsmen from various regions of Ukraine created art objects and sculptures reflecting the town's history — its links with the Trypillia culture, the Cossack period and religious themes.
Art objects and sculptures on the squares
Ioasaf of Belgorod Square borders the Pryluky market and continues the pedestrian space onto Volodymyr Monomakh Square, opened in 2012.
Soborna Square. The Pryluky market
Volodymyr Monomakh Square
A sculpture of the chronicler, sending pious behests to future generations, rises on a stepped pedestal.
Volodymyr Monomakh Square. Monument to the chronicler
From the viewing platform a panorama opens onto the town's outskirts and the Uday River.
Volodymyr Monomakh Square
All the squares are paved with tiles, planted with conifers, and fitted with benches, lanterns, bicycle racks and signposts to the monuments.
A bicycle rack
A map of the monuments
The Lovers' Bench
The squares of Pryluky are the best place for a walk, an instructive excursion and a romantic promenade.
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