Category: Naddniprianshchyna

Mount Pyvyha is the highest point on the left bank of the Dnipro River, located in Poltava Oblast, near the city of Horishni Plavni. Its height is approximately 168 meters, and it is a unique natural landmark. The mountain was formed as a result of geological processes and is a remnant of an ancient chalk plateau.

Mount Pyvyha holds great historical and cultural significance. During the Kyivan Rus period, it served as a defensive point, and in the 16th–17th centuries, a fortress stood on the site.

Today, it is a popular tourist destination, known for its picturesque views of the Kremenchuk Reservoir and the surrounding area. However, the mountain is subject to erosion due to water from the reservoir, which poses an environmental challenge for the region.

This location is perfect for eco-tourism, hiking, and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Vytachiv is one of the oldest settlements on the Dnipro River, continuously inhabited since at least the 4th century. Historical chronicles mention a port located on the river trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks.”

In 1991, a chapel was built based on a design by Taras Shevchenko.

 

 

Near the chapel, there is a viewing platform and the Vytach bakery. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy coffee with freshly baked goods.

 

South of modern Vytachiv lie the ramparts of the ancient settlement of Sviatopolch, built in 1095 by Kyiv Prince Sviatopolk for the residents of the city of Yuriv, who were fleeing from the nomadic Polovtsians. However, within two centuries, the town was destroyed during another Mongol raid. Today, the ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of the Dnipro River.

In Vytachiv, you can stay overnight at the Nest of the River Bird.

“Surrounded by ancient oaks and apricot trees, this wild haven greets visitors with a perfect sense of adventure and solitude. The 75 m² home, with its spacious terrace and panoramic windows, faces the sunrise and the mighty Dnipro River. In the morning, you’ll hear the song of the river bird blending with the sound of the water – an ideal place for relaxation, recharging, and finding harmony with nature.”

The village of Ivkivtsi is located in the Cherkasy region, near the city of Chyhyryn, and is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes.

History and Archaeological Discoveries

The area around Ivkivtsi attracts archaeologists due to numerous ancient settlement findings. In 2020, a burial site of the Zarubintsy culture and a Scythian settlement were discovered in the village. These findings provide valuable insights into the life and daily routines of the Iron Age population that once inhabited this land.

Near the village stands Semydubova Hill, which holds special significance in local legends. According to folklore, this is where the Cossacks reburied the remains of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. Although this hypothesis lacks scientific confirmation, it adds a unique charm to the local tales.

Additionally, not far from Ivkivtsi lies the Motronynske Hillfort—one of the largest hillforts of the Early Scythian period, dating back to the mid-7th century BCE. This highlights the strategic importance of the region in ancient times.

The Windmill

Ivkivtsi is home to a preserved windmill known as the Odyntsi Windmill, built in 1906 by craftsman Oksentiy Odynts. The mill witnessed numerous historical events, including World War II, and remained operational until 1969.

In 2008, local residents, including Nazar Lavrinenko, took on the restoration of the windmill, preserving its authentic appearance. Today, the mill is not only a tourist attraction but also part of an educational project that introduces visitors to traditional grain milling techniques.

The “Zernoland” Project

The idea of creating the interactive ethnographic complex “Zernoland” belongs to Nazar Lavrinenko. On the site of a former Soviet collective farm, he established a unique agricultural park-museum that combines history, crafts, and traditions.

The project includes an ethnographic museum, a blacksmith’s workshop, a calligraphy studio, a motanka doll workshop, a weaving studio, a papermaking workshop, and a pottery workshop. Visitors can not only learn about traditional crafts but also participate in folk games, try their hand at ancient trades, and visit the restored windmill.

Today, Ivkivtsi attract tourists with their authenticity and preserved traditions. Thanks to the initiative of Nazar Lavrinenko and the “Zernoland” team, the village has become a key center of rural tourism—hardly any excursion bypasses Ivkivtsi.