City: Chernihiv Oblast
Top Things to do in Chernihiv Oblast
Top Restaurants in Chernihiv Oblast
The 10 Best Things to Do in Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine
Chernihiv Oblast (Ukrainian: Чернігівська область, translit. Chernihivs’ka oblast’; also referred to as Chernihivshchyna - Ukrainian: Чернігівщина) is an oblast (province) of northern Ukraine. The administrative center of the oblast is the city of Chernihiv however within the entire Oblast are 1,511 settlements of various sizes ranging from large cities to very small villages. Population: 1,055,673 (2015 est.)
Restaurants in Chernihiv Oblast
1. Saint Anthony Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By Jsleos - Chicago, Illinois
So. This place is cool, but it's a smaller version of Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv - so, if you've already been there, keep your expectations lowered. For those that haven't, this is an underground church with the skeletons/bones of monks and saints. The coolest part about this location is that it's close to three other must sees - the kurgans, the WWII memorial, and the Trinity Monastery. Also. If you're gonna take pictures, you have to pay for an extra ticket for permission.
2. Pyatnytska Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Lalaki-Papaki - Athens, Greece
This church is hidden in the park behind the main theater in Chernihiv. We (a couple) were lucky enough to see this church during fall period. As a result, it really fit into the yellow-red surroundings.
It is impossible to completely judge this church cause we didn't have a chance to be inside it, but the outside view was fair enough for us to put 5/5 for this place. We are not experts, but this church seemed much more original than the other churches in the city no matter that it was rebuilt and renovated many times. As a result, Pyatnytska Church seems unique not only among other churches in town but also in other places as well.
3. Dytynets
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Lalaki-Papaki - Athens, Greece
In contrast to the other hill (Boldin) in Chernihiv, Dytynets (aslo known as "Val") is standing right next to the St. Catherine Church and Desna River. As a result, it brings much more spectacular views than it is at the Boldin Hills. Nice alley with twelve cannons that goes through the edge of the hill makes these spectacular views unforgettable.
Besides views, there are also Our Savior Transfiguration Cathedral (the oldest church in Ukraine) and pretty monument of Taras Schevchenko (Ukrainian poet/writer) in Dytynets.
We (a couple) recommend any Chernihiv's visitor to go see this place, and if you have a limited time, then put it as #1 priority.
4. Chernihiv Red Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
5. Saviour-Transfiguration Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Wolfchild
A must see attraction in Chernigiv is the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral (Spassky Cathedral) in the old rampart of the town, built by the first Chernihiv prince Mstislav - the son of great Kiev prince Vladimir, Baptist of Russia. Spassky Cathedral is actually the oldest orthodox Cathedral surviving on the territory of Kievan Rus. It was founded in 1024 and it is the oldest Orthodox church in Ukraine and in Russia, founded a few years even before the famous St. Sophia Cathedral and is under construction right now but still operates as a church. Today Spassky Cathedral is the only surviving monument (on the left bank of Ukraine) of architecture of the blossoming period of Kievan Rus and is a part of the National reserve Old Chernigov.
6. The Citadel (Fortress) of Baturyn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By LeeAnneCanada - Sault Ste. Marie, Canada
The town of Baturyn in the Chernihiv Oblast (province) was for a time the capital of the Left Bank Hetmanate in the 1600’s. In recognition of this fact, Baturyn's significant sites are being transformed back to their former glory. The fortress in this town is one of them. There was a fortress here in the early 1600’s but I am not sure if the Baturyn Fortress is a replica of this one or a later period.
The wooden structure is a reproduction which is comprised of a high frontal wall with a causeway. The entrance is a tall watch tower in the middle of the structure. Beneath the wall are indications of where a moat might have been.
The walls within house a yellow period building that might be used for administration or a museum but it wasn’t open when we were there. A church made out of wood also which contains a small iconostasis and the Tragedy Memorial can also be found on the grounds. The rear of the fortress overlooks a river which would give it a defensive advantage. Along the rear wall are also a number of period cannons.
There are not a lot of other exhibits at the fortress but if you find yourself in Baturyn it is worth a visit.
7. Taras Shevchenko Monument in Dytynets
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Lalaki-Papaki - Athens, Greece
While walking in Dytynets, we (a couple) were able to see the monument of the famous Ukrainian poet and writer Taras Shevchenko. He was sitting on the edge of the bench as if welcoming anyone to join his company. We didn't do it, but on the other hand, we were happy enough to take a picture of this monument together with the pretty view that opened from Dytynets during fall.
8. Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By LeeAnneCanada - Sault Ste. Marie, Canada
I have been to alot of beautiful churches in Ukraine, but for some reason I was drawn to this one and that was even before I had seen the stunning interior. The Cathedral is built in the baroque style and the white exterior boasts some dramatic detail work but the crown jewel has to be what is hidden inside. There is the most amazing iconostasis, which as my friend mentioned was built and brought over from Italy. It looks like no expense was spared.
According to my friend, the benefactress of the Cathedral was the mother of the Razumovsky brothers, one of whom, Alexis, was the lover or morganatic husband of Empress Elizaveta, daughter of Peter the Great. As the story goes a member of the Empress’s court heard him singing in his village in the Chernihiv oblast and brought him back to St. Petersburg where he attracted the attention of the Empress. There is speculation that they were secretly married and this is further encouraged by the fact that the Empress made a visit to Razumovsky’s home village and visited his family there. Unfortunately the mother’s former home is in disrepair and covered in graffiti. It needs its own benefactor to restore it back to its former glory.
When we first arrived at the Cathedral the upstairs was locked and we could only peak in at the iconostasis. Minutes later we heard voices from the basement, so my friend, determined to get me in to see the iconostasis went in search of someone that could unlock the Cathedral. She found a priest and explained to him that I had come all the way from Canada and wanted to see the beautiful piece of art upstairs. He chastised us for only recognizing the artistic value of the iconostasis and not the religious aspect, so we made sure we left a donation. He had opened the huge lock and just instructed us to close it once we left, so we had free reign of the Cathedral. Pictures do not do it justice, it is indeed dazzling.
We did this stop in Kozelets on our way to the Hetman’s Capital at Baturyn, so both can be done in a day trip from Kyiv.
9. St. Catherine Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Lalaki-Papaki - Athens, Greece
St. Catherine Church is like a cover of a magazine. It is the first city sight that you see when you go to Chernihiv from Kiev. Besides standing on the edge of the city (which happened to be the center of Chernihiv), this church is also located on the top of the hill, so you see it for a while before entering the city by car (if you are driving from Kiev).
Another place, where you can have a nice view to this church is Dytynets (also known as "Val"). Because of many trees and canons on this hill, it brings additional atmosphere to the church from that point of view. Even if you are not religious, make sure to make picture of yourself on the background of St. Catherine Church from Dytynets. We (a couple) recommend it!
10. Kirill Razumovsky Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By LeeAnneCanada - Sault Ste. Marie, Canada
The Rozumovskyi Palace at Baturyn , for most of its history remained in ruin after a fire in 1824 destroyed the interior. Due to Baturyn’s significance as the Hetman’s capital, Prime Minister Yushenko in 2002, with the help of Ukrainian businessmen undertook to restore the palace. The result is stunning.
The palace design is in the classical style and was built under the direction of Kyrylo Rozumovskyi, the last hetman of Left Bank Ukraine in 1799 - 1803. No expense has been spared in the renovations, from the inlaid hardwood floors to the marble staircases. The detail work on the ceilings is dramatic and furniture period pieces are interspersed throughout. The dining room was impressive.
There was an English guide available who toured us through the palace with obvious pride. She even paused and played us a piece on the piano.
Although little or none of the interior is original it has been painstakingly restored to the period as much as possible and the outcome is superb.
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