For anyone, even the most capricious traveler, Ukraine is an amazing country. Here, literally at every step there is something interesting. Deep caves and high mountains, wide rivers and endless lakes, ancient cities and modern cities. One has only to look closely, and you will definitely discover something new.
This article will tell you about Sofievsky Park - a place that really fascinates from the very first minutes of its visit. And, in fact, it does not matter at all when exactly you decide to visit here - snow-white winter, golden autumn, blooming first flowers in spring or summer smelling of herbs, this trip is guaranteed to be remembered for a long time.
Among other things, the reader will receive a lot of useful information, for example, how much does an excursion to Sofievsky Park cost, how best to get to your destination, what to see first and why you should go there as soon as possible.
Uman. Sofiyivsky Park is a highlight of the Cherkasy region (Ukraine)
Modest, but quite interesting both historically and culturally, the town of Uman is located in the very center of Ukraine, in the Cherkasy region. Not everyone, even among the locals, is aware that this corner is visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists.
Why? What is the reason for such popularity? The thing is that this settlement is largely thanks to the amazing masterpiece of landscape gardening culture - the national dendrological object called Sofievsky Park.
I would like to note that today this place is one of the most beautiful territories in the world created by man. It surprises and fascinates with its fabulous grottoes, amazing landscapes, mirror ponds and magnificent sculptures.
Sofievsky Park (Ukraine) is a temple of nature, a beautiful monument of landscape art, one of the most romantic corners of the state, built in the name of love and serving as its symbol for more than 200 years.
How this place was created
I would like to note right away that Sofievsky Park in the form in which we can observe it today is the result of the work of several generations at once.
Initially, this masterpiece was laid in 1796. Its founder was the landowner Stanislav Pototsky, who owned about one and a half million hectares of land. Serf villagers, and according to documents that have come down to us, the magnate had about 150 thousand of them, were actively engaged in construction, replacing each other in turn and freeing themselves forthis time away from other types of work.
How did the idea of creating such a park come about? The thing is that the landowner, being already married, fell madly in love with a married Greek woman, Sophia, whom he met on one of his many travels. Despite the harsh laws of that time, the lovers withstood all the lengthy divorce proceedings and received approval for marriage from the Empress Catherine herself.
After all the trials that fell out, the couple settled in one of their estates near Uman and began to look for a place to create a corner where they could completely escape from problems and worries. The newlyweds chose a place where two rivers - Kamyanka and Umanka - merged, considering it the most successful for the realization of all their plans.
The first architect of the park, Metzel, developed the main idea and master plan. Stanislav and Sofia wanted to recreate an illustration for the ancient Greek poems "Odyssey" and "Iliad" in this place.
Of course, it took a lot of hands to carry out all the work. Even according to the most rough estimates, Sofievsky Park was built by 800 workers, who took more than 10 years to complete it.
The park first opened in 1800, but at that time its construction had not yet been fully completed. Work continued on improving ponds and laying alleys. Unfortunately, Count S. Pototsky did not wait for completion, as he died in 1805, having spent more than 2.5 million royal rubles on his brainchild.
In 1830 the park became a state park and was named the Tsarina's Garden. The emperors of Russia took an activeparticipation in its further arrangement and visited it at the first opportunity.
In the 80s of the twentieth century, numerous restoration works began to be carried out in the park. Waterfalls, fountains, ponds, bridges, gazebos and statues have been restored.
How to get to Sofiyivka
As mentioned above, Sofievsky Park, whose history cannot but captivate even the most experienced traveler, is located in the Cherkasy region, in the city of Uman. You can get to Sofiyivka in different ways and by any type of transport. A lot of transit bus routes pass through this regional center, so you can get here from almost all parts of the country without any problems.
By the way, it should be noted that the main entrance to Sofievsky Park is located just opposite the main bus station of the city, so a tourist will definitely not have to wander through the narrow streets of an unfamiliar city.
You can also go to Uman with the help of the railway. From the station to the gates of the park, at intervals of several minutes, three shuttle buses go at once. In this case, the road will take no longer than 10 minutes.
But if you want to get there in comfort, you should use the services of a local taxi.
Sofievsky Park. Admission prices
Entrance to the territory of the arboretum is controlled by the local administration and costs 25 UAH. for an adult and 15 UAH. for kids.
For a fee, you can purchase a schematic map of this place from a speciallyroutes marked on it. When traveling as a group, it is still recommended to use the services of a guide.
In the central part of Sofiyivka, near the Upper Pond, there are a sufficient number of different attractions, the cost of tickets for which is the most diverse. For example, a bicycle rental will cost a visitor 50 hryvnias per hour, and a scooter or roller skates can be ridden for 40 hryvnias. Many people like a walk on an open boat or an excursion along an underwater river.
There are also enough stalls in the park with themed calendars, postcards, magnets and other souvenirs.
A place for lovers to walk
Sofiyivka is rightly called the most romantic corner of Ukraine. Why? The thing is that the park actually personifies the love song of Count S. Pototsky for the beautiful Sophia.
There are white marble statues everywhere, shrouded in branches of exotic trees. Shady paths are ready to give coolness even in the exhausting summer heat. Swans and ducks glide along the smooth surface of the mirror ponds, and the crystal sound of waterfalls merges with the singing of amazing birds.
The atmosphere is really romantic. No wonder Count S. Pototsky often walked here with his Sophia. Their favorite routes were the paths along the Upper Pond, the Ionian Sea, Lake Acheron, the Cretan Labyrinth and the Valley of the Giants.
The famous river Kamyanka and its sights
Today on the Kamyanka Rivera special platform was built, which has the name Belvedere, which is difficult for a modern person, which, translated into Russian, sounds like “a stunning view.”
At the bottom of the observation deck you can see a huge stone block lying slightly carelessly, called the "Stone of Death". Where did such a terrible definition come from? There is a perfectly logical explanation for this. When they wanted to lift the stone, located above the Belvedere, in order to move it to a more successful place, according to the architect, it suddenly collapsed, crippling and even burying many serfs under it.
Since then, the block has been lying here, recalling the terrible events of past years.
Sofiyivka is a place where people declare their love
Many travelers who study the culture of Ukraine, as a rule, ask the same thing: “We are going to visit Sophia Park (Uman). When is the best time to visit this place? It is rather difficult to answer this question unambiguously. Why? The thing is that everyone finds something of their own here. Some people like the abundance of birds, some enjoy wandering along the paths, and there are those who muster up the courage and go on a trip along an underground river or climb stones, passing over or under waterfalls.
One thing I would like to say for sure. Those newlyweds who decide to go to Sofiyivka on their wedding day or during their honeymoon will definitely not go wrong.
Like the city of Uman itself, Sofievsky Park in spring, summer, autumn and winter is filled with views and landscapes of a fabulous, sometimessurreal beauty. Even the air itself seems to be saturated with extraterrestrial feelings of passion and love – wonderful statues in the Greek style, picturesque rocks, cozy gazebos, noisy waterfalls, boulders and hills covered with grass and flowers, shady alleys and cool grottoes…
Legends and fairy tales of Sofievsky Park
Do you believe in omens? Then you definitely need to go to Sofiyivka as soon as possible. There is simply a huge number of secluded places specially designed for the fulfillment of desires. Touch the stone, lean against the rock, close your eyes while passing under the grotto, and your innermost will surely come true.
For example, according to one of the legends, if you get dry from the water under the Big Waterfall, your plan will surely come true. By the way, from a personal example, we confirm that this is not difficult to do, since the passage under the waterfall completely allows you not to get wet.
The second story is about Calypso Grotto. It tells that if an unhappy person enters the grotto, he will become happy, and if he is happy, he will certainly become even happier. In order for all dreams to come true, it is necessary to go around the stone column in the middle of the grotto with your eyes closed three times. Also, a small fountain flows in the corner of the grotto, into which tourists throw coins for good luck.
Another legend tells about miraculous healing by the waters of the Diana's Mirror grotto at the foot of the Venus waterfall. Sick people come here every year. It is said that the source actually helps many.
Flora and fauna of the old park
According to many, this place actually acts as a real museum of wildlife. For many years, several tens of thousands of exotic plants imported from all over the world have found their new home here. Right next to the entrance to the park is the main alley, completely planted with century-old French chestnuts and rare species of poplars.
But in the greenhouses of Sofiyivka, seedlings of the most beautiful plants of our planet are grown, some of which can be purchased for quite a moderate fee. Also today, a rose garden operates in the park, in which several hundred different types of flowers are grown.
Various fish are found in the ponds, exotic ducks and majestic swans swim. Nests are made in the trees and birds call to each other. And in the thickets at any time of the year you can spot funny squirrels.
What to see first
Starting a walk through Sofievsky Park from the main entrance along a wide alley, the first thing you should pay attention to is the Pavilion of Flora, made in the Doric style. By the way, this is also the favorite territory of local swans, who simply love to eat the grapes that grow abundantly here.
In front of the pavilion, on the left side, three springs spout like fountains at once. According to legend, if you drink water from the middle, you will become beautiful, and from the extreme - he althy and rich, respectively. Are you afraid to be confused? Try the water from all at once, just to be sure!
Further along the way, tourists will definitely meet a fascinating with its originalityfountain height of 18 m. It is called the "serpent", and the corresponding shape will not confuse it with any other.
Bypassing a huge number of natural monuments, it is worth getting to the Upper Pond on the island of Anti-Circe. This is the very heart of the park, where ladies in hats and puffy dresses and gentlemen in luxurious suits walk. Surprised? All these outfits from different eras and styles can be rented on the spot! Try to imagine yourself as a kind of time traveler. The fee, by the way, is very symbolic.
In general, Sofiyivka has everything your heart desires: amazing landscapes, stone grottoes, ancient statues, rocks, transparent lakes, murmuring waterfalls, mysterious reservoirs, various kinds of cascades and many other interesting places, without visiting which you should not leave the park.
Hungry? Where can I eat?
Still, the amazing city of Uman. Sofievsky Park is another proof of the generosity and hospitality of the local population. Here they like to please, revealing the beauty of their land. And if they accept to treat a traveler, then they do it with all the cordiality of real Ukrainians. Cafes, restaurants and canteens are literally at every step.
By the way, next to the main entrance to the arboretum there is a pizzeria with excellent cuisine and very affordable prices for such a crowded place.
And in the park itself, near the Upper Pond, there are several outlets where you can order a hot dog or buy chips, as well as refresh yourself with sweet sparkling water or ice cream.
Getting to know the city itself
In general, it should be noted that Uman is a beautiful, cozy and rather ancient settlement of the Cherkasy region, in which the past and the present are harmoniously mixed today.
Moreover, it is known not only for its masterpiece of garden art, the aforementioned dendrological park, but also for the grave of the founder of Hasidism, Nachman.
Many people know that in the world Uman has the glory of one of the main places of pilgrimage. Several thousand Orthodox Jews visit the city each autumn.
