Poltava

Poltava is one of the oldest cities of Ukraine, the centre of Poltava Region. Its unique geographical location at the border with the Wild Field and at the crossroads of the trading and economical ways of the Cossack Hetmanate’s period influenced the development of the city. During the times of Kievan Rus the city was part of the largest principality of Pereyaslav, whilst Poltava itself which was then known as Ltava was the southernest outpost of the principality’s system of fortifications against nomads. The first written reference of Ltava is mentioned in the Ipatiyivsky Chronicle of 1174. Archeol­ogical findings, however, suggest the existence of an earlier settlement.

The Poltava Battle of 27 June 1709 became a turning point in the history of the city and of the entire nation. It was this battle, or rather its consequences, that determined the city’s further development. In spring 1802 Poltava Province was established which existed till 1925. During the 19th century the city was rapidly built to answer its new purpose and in accordance to the new status. This was the time when the unique architectural ensemble in the style of the ‘model’ Classicism was built in Round Square, being the only one architectural monument of the kind in the former Soviet Union. Active construction in the city continued in the early 20th century, as a result of which Poltava has become the site of a harmonious unity of several architectural epochs — late Baroque, provincial Classicism and Ukrainian Modern.

Poltava is the birthplace of the father of the new Ukrainian literature I. Kotlyarevsky, the legendary singer Marusya Churay and the prominent churchman P. Velychkovsky. The fable writer L. Hlibov, writers M. Gogol and M.  Sta­rytsky, educators A. Makarenko and V. Sukhomlynsky studied in the city. The famous actor M. Shchepkin, the prominent poet and artist T. Shevchenko, composer M. Lysenko, writers I. Bunin, P. Myrny, V. Korolenko and other outstanding personalities lived and worked in Poltava.

Today the city actively develops and improves its tourism infrastructure: hotel economy, system of services, public transport, and creates favourable investment climate. There are many theatres, musical companies and museums in Poltava, whilst the unusual beauty of local sceneries won’t leave anyone indifferent.