Chernigov

CHERNIGOV
(Article kindly provided by Polina Kryuchkova of Advance Tour)

Chernigov is a Ukrainian city on the right bank of the Desna river. It's history dates back to the 7^th century. In fact, the first signs of people living in the Chernigov area are traced back to more than 150,000 years ago. The archeologists found numerous artifacts of the Stone Age near contemporary Chernigov: musical instruments made of sea shells and mammoth bones, jugs with patterns that later appeared in ancient Greek and Roman art. There are several legends about the origin of the town's name.

Some people think the word Chernigov originates from the word “Chorny” - Black. The dark forests surrounding the city were so dense that people called it black.

Another story narrates about Prince Chorny, who ruled in Chernigov in the 10^th century, and his daughter Chorna. The Princess was amazingly beautiful, enjoyed horse-riding and hunting and was a good archer. The Khazars’ Kagan (the ruler of a nomadic tribe) learned about the girl’s beauty and decided to marry her. He sent his ambassadors with fancy presents, but the proud girl refused to marry her people’s enemy. Kagan went angry and decided to take the princess away by force. The Chernigov people managed to resist numerous attacks but then Khazars besieged the town. During the siege, a gang of traitors rushed into the princess’s room in the mansion. The princess managed to hit some of the enemies from her bow, but then ran out of arrows and jumped out of the window.

The official version according to historians is that Chernigov was founded in the 7^th century by prince Cherniga, at the end of the 9^th century became part of Kievan Rus and in 1239 it was destroyed by Tatar-Mongols. Chernigov, however, still preserved many ancient sights and is very interesting for cultural trips. It is only 130 km away from Kiev, one hour and a half by car.

Chernigov sights

Detinets and Kotsubinsky park
Several monuments located on Desna beach: Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral from the 11^th century, Borisoglebsky Cathedral built in the 12^th century, Chernigov Collegiums, Tarnovsky museum, the monument of Taras Shevchenko. Twelve cast-iron cannons of the 17^th and 18^th centuries are located here.

St.Catherine church
Located on the hill opposite to Detinets. The church is built in Ukrainian Baroque style and the museum of Ukrainian decorative art is located nearby.

Troisko Ilyinsky Monastery
Te largest underground church in Ukraine in caves stretching over 316 meters.

Eletsky Uspensky Monastery
Cves, Uspensky Cathedral, 36 meter high bell tower.

Black tomb
According to the legend, the prince and founder of Chernigov was buried here.

Where to stay

Name	Address	Phone
Pridesnyansky Hotel-tourist complex	Shevchenko 99a	+38 (0462)95 4802