Sofievsky Park (Uman) is a place known to many. Every year guests come here not only from Ukraine itself, but also from near and even far abroad. What attracts all these people here? Is there really a corner in the central part of the country that deserves such attention? It turns out yes.
In general, it can be noted that in some way Uman is Ukraine in miniature. Why? The thing is that one has only to find oneself in this place, and you will see how diverse the nature of this region is: it seems that there is everything here - mountains and rivers, caves hidden underground and sunny glades, unique trees and overgrown with lush herbs meadows. Also, kind, generous and very hospitable people live in Ukraine, ready to feed the traveler, show the way and provide all the information necessary for the trip.
This article is aimed at telling in detail about such an amazing place on the globe as Sofievsky Park (Uman). The reader will not only learn about where this territory is located, but also get acquainted with the history of its occurrence. Among other things, valuable advice and recommendations will be given on what to visit first.queue.
Pearl of Cherkasy region
Uman, "Sofiyivka", a unique park in Ukraine - these words, perhaps, have become synonymous for many avid travelers. And this, of course, is far from accidental. Let's try to deal with this issue in detail.
First of all, it is worth noting that Uman is a small town located in the very heart of Ukraine, in the Cherkasy region, almost at an equal distance from the two main cultural cities of the country - Kyiv and Odessa.
In general, there are neither particularly significant historical values nor unique architectural monuments here. But still, this place is annually visited by more than half a million tourists from all over the world. What is the reason for this demand? All thanks to the fact that one of the wonders of Ukraine is located here - the Sofiyivka arboretum, which is a true masterpiece of park art.
This part of the city literally from the first minutes impresses with its amazing landscapes, beautiful ponds, fabulous grottoes and fantastic sculptures. By the way, not everyone realizes that the park, located within a modest city called Uman (Ukraine), can be one of the most amazing corners of the world.
Sofiyivka is also one of the most romantic corners of its country. And this is not surprising, because this monument of landscape art was actually not only created in the name of love, but has remained its symbol for over 200 years.
"Sofiyivka" of the timesPotocki
Uman on the map of Ukraine is quite easy to find. This settlement is located just at the intersection of important trade routes, and it should be noted that this has always been the case, from the very moment the town was founded. With this information, no one will be surprised to learn that this particular transport hub was subsequently chosen for the construction of one of the residences of Count S. Potocki, a well-known merchant and landowner at that time.
The magnate founded the park on the territory of his possessions back in 1796. However, its grand opening took place only in May 1800. Work was postponed several times due to heavy floods in the next four years.
The very completion of construction was timed to coincide with the birthday of the count's beloved wife, Sophia Glyavone-Witt-Pototskaya. In fact, the park got its name in honor of her.
Initially, Ludwig Metzel, an artillery officer, Pototsky's nephew, was invited to be the chief architect of the future landscape masterpiece called Sofievsky Park (Uman). The total cost of its arrangement is also known, which at that time amounted to 2 million rubles. silver.
In accordance with the very first plan, the entrance to the park was from the side of the greenhouse, and the composition of the complex ran along the riverbed. Kamenki. According to Metzel's project, the following were created: the park's water system of interconnected ponds, waterfalls, sluices and rivers, sculptures, grottoes of Venus, Nut, Fear and Doubt, Leukadskaya and Tarpeiskaya rocks.
After the death of S. Potocki, Sofiyivka was inherited byto his eldest son from his marriage to Jozefina Mniszek, namely, Jerzy (Yuri) Szczesny. But the heir ceded the possession of the city of Uman and the park to his stepmother Sophia, with whom, they say, they had a long love affair. But he did this far from free of charge, but in exchange for paying off his debts - 30 million zlotys.
In turn, due to the need to pay off the accumulated debts of her stepson and husband (7.5 million zlotys), Sofia was forced in 1808 to offer Uman for sale to the Russian tsarist government. She even personally approached Alexander I with such a proposal. But at that time the deal never took place.
Until 1813, Sofievsky Park (Uman) was kept in excellent condition, L. Metzel's merit was a considerable merit in this. However, after the latter left to work in Warsaw, Sofiyivka ceased to receive proper care and gradually fell into decay.
But, apparently, this corner was still laid under a lucky star. In 1815, the poem Zofiówka, written by the Polish writer Stanisław Trembiecki, was published in Paris. It is she who brings the park pan-European fame and glory.
After a long illness on November 22, 1822, the owner of the park Sofia died in Berlin, so the estate passed to her son Alexander. He returns "Sofiyivka" to its former beauty, supplements it with stunning new works, and even asks A. Andrzheevsky to write a detailed description of the park's flora.
However, due to the suspicions of Alexander Potocki in connection with the Polish rebels, although he denied this fact in his personalcorrespondence, his lands were sequestered by the Russian state after October 21, 1831.
Sofiyivka like Tsaritsyn Garden
Despite everything, the park was managed by Alexander Pototsky for more than a year, and only then was it first transferred to the Kyiv Treasury Chamber, and a little later - as a gift to Alexandra Feodorovna from the loving husband of the Emperor of All Russia Nicholas I. In confirmation of this, in 1850 on the Caucasus Hill instead of the pedestal of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a statue of the queen was installed.
Thanks to the laying in 1838 st. Sadovaya, and then re-equipping it into a highway, the park becomes much more accessible to visitors and begins to develop actively. During this time, pavilions are erected, the source, the main alley are ennobled, and two towers in the Gothic style are built at the main entrance, a pavilion is erected on about. Anti-Circe and Flora's gazebo.
A little later, on the orders of Nicholas I, the Gothic-style pavilion was demolished, and a building in the Renaissance style designed by AI Stackenschneider appeared instead. The entrance towers are also being rebuilt, this time they are created in the antique style. In addition, the grotto of Apollo is filled up and an obelisk with a three-headed eagle is installed there and a chic fountain called “Serpent” is broken.
Park as the main school of horticulture
At the direction of Emperor Alexander II in 1859 in a city called Uman, "Sofievsky" park, excursions to which have recently enjoyed a hugepopular, renamed the "Uman Garden of the Main School of Horticulture." In this form, he exists for several years.
In 1870, like twenty years ago, the park again suffers a flood - the dam of the Red Pond is washed away, and a huge water stream passes through the central part of the park. Destruction, of course, was, but a complete disaster, fortunately, was avoided.
According to the project of Vasily Pashkevich, a unique arboretum is being created here on an area of 2 hectares, but the main work is still aimed at maintaining the pearl of Uman in its original form.
It should be noted that in 1897 the area was 152 hectares, and the number of plant specimens reached 382 thousand.
Famous State Reserve
The Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR dated May 18, 1929 referred specifically to the city named Uman. Sofievsky Park, whose history is actually fascinating and extraordinary, is declared a state reserve and recognized as an independent organization. Although at the same time part of its territory still remains subordinate to the agricultural university.
In 1945, just after the war, it was renamed again, this time into the Uman State Reserve "Sofiyivka". And in 1946, significant funds were already allocated for restoration. At this time, many architectural elements, statues and alleys are being restored. On an area of 20 hectares, a special greenhouse corner is being created, designed to breed various types of plants and enrich the flora of Sofiyivka.
Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR in"Sofiyivka"
In 1955 Sofiyivka became a part of the Central Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. Then there is an increase in the area of the arboretum thanks to the lands of the Uman city communal farm, the agricultural institute and the military unit. Work on the improvement of the park does not stop: the Rose Pavilion is being repaired, the fence of the main entrance is being replaced.
In 1956, all sculptures in the park are replaced with copies, and the originals are transferred to storage. The main alley is complemented by the Silver Streams spring.
April 4, 1980 Sofievsky Park (Uman) is overtaken by a mudflow. Its traces can still be seen from the marks on the trees (at a height of approximately 3 m).
Modern arboretum "Sofiyivka"
After the disaster, damage to 50 park objects was repaired in 4 months. At this time, the organization of the administrative and economic part of the park is also being carried out, previously lost objects are being restored: the Gribok gazebo and about. Acherusian.
January 23, 1991 Sofievsky Park receives the status of an independent institution within the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
During the preparations for the celebration of the bicentenary of the dendrological park, architect Y. Kalashnik did a tremendous job. For example, a pre-park ensemble was created, ponds were restored, and some architectural elements were restored, in particular the sculpture of the Eagle and the Grotto of Apollo.
Relatively wronga long time ago, on February 28, 2004, this object received its official name, and now it is called Sofiyivka National Dendrological Park.
What is the first thing to see in the park?
As mentioned above, Uman is clearly visible on the map of Ukraine. So, having arrived in this country even for a short period of time, it is impossible not to devote at least a few hours to this absolute masterpiece of landscape art.
What to pay attention to first of all? According to the reviews of numerous travelers, in Sofiyivka, first of all, you should see such interesting objects as:
- Snake Fountain;
- Tarpeian Rock;
- Grotto of Apollo;
- Cretan labyrinth;
- oh. Anti-Circe;
- Gathering Square;
- Thetis Grotto;
- Chinese gazebo;
- Calypso Grotto;
- Big waterfall.
