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Vinnitsa, one of the oldest
Ukrainian cities, is situated on the Yuzhny Bug river. It is more than 600
years old today. Vinnitsa is one of the biggest industrial and cultural
cities of Ukraine, the centre of the Vinnitsa region and the Podolsk
economic zone. The architectural monuments of 18-20th centuries - the
cathedrals and the churches - are open today, including the renovated
St.Mykola's Church, one of the best examples of wooden falk art. There are
5 museums, 2 theatres and a Philharmonic Hall in Vinnitsa. The Museum of
Local Lore, the Arts Museum, the Music Drama Theatre and the Puppet
Theatre are among them.
Area ancestor's believed,
this part of Ukraine was a Heaven on the Earth, thus, no wonder, the main
river of Vinnytchyna is the South Boug, which name derives from Bog, God
in Slavonic.
The origin of the name Vinnitsa has not been ascertained definitively.
Somebody simply affirms, would has derived from the name of the little
river Vinnytchka, a tributary of the South Boug. More fastidious students
of local lore deduce the word from wine-making trade. Distilleries said to
be an ancient tradition in this region.
In 1640 Vihnylsa becomes important enough to have its own City Emblem and
Seal. The official City Emblem consisted of two swords and two
fishing-rods.
In 1871 the railway Kyiv - Odessa has been layed across Vinnytsa. It
favored significantly subsequent economic and cultural development of the
city. In 1797 the population of Vinnytsa makes 30 000.
New cultural institutions like the Peoples House (1902) and the City
Theatre (1910) were inaugurated. In 1912 one of the most original
buildings of Vinnitsa was unveiled - the- hotel «Savoy» (nowadays
'Ukraine") equipped with central heating and electric elevator, which
weren't common conveniences in that time.
Peaceful life was broken again by the war in July 1941. Vinnytchyna became
an Occupied zone.
On our land the fascist regime was especially tough, because not far from
Vinnytsa was built so called Werwolf, the secret headquarters of Hitler.
Over 15 000 prisoners of war from several countries of Europe were used
there as workers. The prisoners were dying of starvation, beatings, and
excessive toil. In 1942 the top secret project was completed and all the
prisoners were executed by shooting. An obelisk near the village
Kolo-Mykhayiivka reminds us about that tragedy.
The Great Victory was achieved trough much suffering, at a high price 20
March 1944 Vinnytsa was liberated from fascist aggressors. There was a
celebration, but a celebration full of bitter tears.
Before the war, the main city of the oblast had the population of 10O 000
. In 1944 there remained only 27 000 . They have been working tirelessly .
In 1948 almost all the enterprises of Vinnytsa were restored.
Nowadays Vinnytsa is a big industrial centre with 400 000 residents. There
are here over 70 plants and factories, radio industry, metalworkings.
City produces everything from bearings to computers, from fertilizers to
agriculture machinery and equipment, from food stuffs and clothes to
diamonds.
In the same time, this is the city of students and scientists.
We are proud of Vinnytsky Medical University of M. Pyrogov widely known
for its scientific traditions. 4 000 students from Ukraine and 52 foreign
countries are studying in the six departments. Over 7 000 students, now
studying in the 9 departments of Vinytsky State Teachers' Treaning
Institute, will become specialists in all subjects of secondary school
educational programs.
If you ever visit Vinnitsa, you shouldn't miss its museums. At outskirts
of Vinnytsa there is a village Pyrogove.. In 1861 it was bought by the
great Russian surgeon Mykola Pyrogov He has built here the house, where
now is located the memorial museum of the famous scientist. In recognition
of M. Pyrogov's valuable contribution to the science, the memorial house
and estate, by a decree of the President of Ukraine L.D.Kuchma, has got
the status of a national museum since June 1997.
The favorite place for rest and relaxation of Vinnytsa residents is the
City Park. Beautiful alleys lined by old linden trees lead to the splendid
fountain, to the athletic-courts, stadium, planetarium, to the open
concert hall and to the cinema hall. Another alley displays monuments to
the famous personalities. There are comfortable bars and restaurants in
the park, which is spread out on 40 hectares.
This is not only one part of the city. The park Druzhba is well-known for
its swan-lakes, that make beautiful cascade. In the Botanical Gardens you
can find over 300 kinds of rare trees and plants on 80 hectares of
territory.
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