Mykolaiv on the Dnister: Landmarks in and Around Town

To find landmarks at every step, inquisitive tourists with a passion for little-known routes, having had their fill of strolls around noisy Lviv, move on to the quiet and sparsely populated Mykolaiv, located 30 kilometres south of the regional centre. In ancient and medieval times the lands of today's Mykolaiv area were conquered, annexed, destroyed and revived again, and to strengthen the borders both defenders and conquerors built fortified zones with fortifications to protect the crossing over the Dnister.

Mykolaiv, Lviv Oblast. A view of the town from the artillery positions

Roof Tiles. A Roofing Material With a Long History

The tiles on the roofs are the pages of the centuries-old history of buildings, archival documents bearing the makers' autographs and the date of manufacture.

 

Mykolaiv. The Pysanka Chapel and Vysokyi Kamin

Every town or village has its own calling card, which stands out through the information it conveys about the place and is a part of its history. In Mykolaiv in the Lviv region, such a symbol appeared in 2002 — one that is known beyond the town and that tourists include in their routes. A chapel in the shape of a painted Easter egg stands on Mount Vysokyi Kamin and can be seen from several kilometres away.

 

Mykolaiv. Lviv region. The chapel in honour of the Nativity of Christ. The pysanka chapel

27 March, Theatre Day. A Tour of Ukraine's Theatres

Theatre Day, founded by the International Theatre Institute under UNESCO, has been celebrated all over the world since 1961. On 27 March congratulations go to all who are involved in creating vivid spectacles in the temples of Melpomene — stage directors, artists, actors, costumiers, decorators, producers, cashiers, sound engineers, cloakroom attendants and all theatre-lovers, spectators and students of theatrical colleges. And although this holiday is considered professional, and the date is not marked in red in the calendars, for the workers of the stage this day is always a working one, and the spectator is the most welcome guest.

Lviv. Solomiya Krushelnytska National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet

Synagogues in Ukraine. How Is Their Heritage Preserved?

In Jewish communities scattered across the world, the synagogue is a social and spiritual centre. In these beautiful buildings with large windows, one of which faces towards Jerusalem, not only are God's Commandments preached, but public matters are also decided, solemn ceremonies held and guests received. In the 'Houses of Assembly' the community's board sits and a communal court operates. Sadly, many spiritual heirs of King Solomon's First Temple were destroyed by the Holocaust. Some buildings were saved when churches of other denominations, or organisations and institutions, came to occupy their walls. Let us look, through examples, at what synagogues in Ukraine are like.

Uzhhorod. The former synagogue, 1904.

Pedestrian Streets of Ukraine and Their Tourist Appeal

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

Here It Is, Mykolaiv. Without Sweeteners or Adornments

I will say straight away that I liked Mykolaiv, but I will not sing its praises; I will describe my walk through the city on a sunny March day without embellishment.

The City Council