Sofievsky Park. The city of Uman, Ukraine. Excursions, reviews

For any, 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 boundless lakes, ancient cities and modern megacities. One has only to look closely, and you will certainly discover something new.

This article will tell about Sophia Park - a place that really fascinates from the very first minutes of his visit. And, strictly speaking, it does not matter when you decide to visit here - snow-white in winter, golden autumn, blooming in the first flowers in the spring or smelling grass in the summer, 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, about how much it costs to visit the Sophia Park, how to get to your destination, what to see first and why you should go there as soon as possible.

Uman. Sofievsky Park is a highlight of the Cherkassy region (Ukraine)

Modest, but quite interesting both historically and culturally, the town of Uman is located in the heart of Ukraine, in the Cherkasy region. Not everyone knows even from the locals that this corner is visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Why? What is the reason for this popularity? The fact of the matter is that this settlement is very much appreciated in many respects for the amazing masterpiece of garden and park culture - the national dendrological object called "Sofievsky Park".

I would like to note that today this place is one of the most beautiful areas of the world created by man. It surprises and bewitches with its fabulous grottoes, amazing landscapes, mirror ponds and magnificent sculptures.

Sophia Park (Ukraine) is a natural temple, the most 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

Immediately I would like to note that Sofievsky Park in the form in which we can observe it today is the result of the work of several generations.

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. Fortress villagers, and according to the documents that have reached us, the tycoon had about 150,000, actively engaged in construction, alternately replacing each other and getting rid of other types of work for this period.

How did the idea of creating such a park? The thing is that the landowner, being already married, madly fell in love with the married Greek Greek, whom he met on one of many trips. Despite the harsh laws of the time, lovers withstood all long divorce proceedings and received approval for the marriage of the Empress Catherine herself.

After all the failed tests, 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 the two rivers - Kamyanka and Umanka - merged, considering it the most successful for the realization of everything conceived.

The first architect of the park, Metzel, developed the main idea and master plan. Stanislav and Sophia wanted to recreate in this place an illustration of the ancient Greek poems Odyssey and Illyada.

Of course, it took a lot of hands to do all the work. Even according to the most approximate calculations, Sofievsky Park was built by 800 workers, who needed it for more than 10 years.

For the first time the park was opened in 1800, but at that time its construction was not yet complete. Work continued on the ennobling of ponds and the laying of alleys. Unfortunately, Count S. Potocki did not wait for completion, as he died in 1805, spending on his offspring more than 2.5 million tsarist rubles.

In 1830 the park became a state park and was called the Tsaritsyno Garden. The emperors of Russia took an active part in its further arrangement and visited it at the first opportunity.

In the 80-ies of the twentieth century, the park began to conduct numerous restoration works. Waterfalls, fountains, ponds, bridges, alcoves and statues were restored.

How to get to Sofiyivka

As mentioned above, Sophievsky Park, whose history can not but fascinate even the most experienced traveler, is located in the Cherkassy region, in the city of Uman. You can get to Sofiyivka in various ways and on any type of transport. Through this district center there are a lot of transit bus routes, so almost from all corners of the country you can get there without problems.

By the way, it should be noted that the main entrance to Sofiyivsky Park is just opposite the main bus station of the city, therefore it's definitely not necessary to wander around the narrow streets of an unfamiliar city.

In Uman it is possible to go and by means of the railway. From the station to the gate of the park at intervals of several minutes, three shuttle buses go at once. On the road in this case will take no longer than 10 minutes.

But if there is a desire to get in comfort, it is worth using the services of a local taxi.

Sofievsky Park. Prices for visiting

Entrance to the territory of the arboretum is controlled by the local administration and costs 25 UAH. For an adult and 15 UAH. for children.

For a fee, you can purchase a schematic map of this place with specially marked routes on it. In the case of a group trip, it is still recommended to use the services of a tour guide.

In the central part of Sofiyivka, near the Upper Pond, there is a sufficient number of different attractions, the cost of tickets for which - the most diverse. For example, bicycle rental will cost the visitor 50 hryvnia per hour, and on a scooter or rollers you can ride for 40 UAH. Many people like to walk on the open boat or a tour of the underwater river.

Also in the park there are enough shopping tents with themed calendars, postcards, magnets and other souvenir products.

A place for walking lovers

Sofiyivka is rightly called the most romantic corner of Ukraine. Why? The whole point is that the park actually represents the song of love of Count S. Potocki to the beautiful Sophia.

There are white marble statues everywhere, shrouded in branches of exotic trees. Shady paths are ready to give coolness even in a grueling summer heat. On a smooth surface of mirror ponds slides swans and ducks, and the crystal ringing of waterfalls merges with the singing of amazing birds.

The atmosphere is really romantic. It is not for nothing that Count S. Potocki often walked here with his Sophia. Their favorite routes were the paths along the Upper Pond, the Ionian Sea, the Acheront Lake, the Cretan labyrinth and the Giants valley.

The famous river Kamyanka and its sights

To date, a special platform has been built on the Kamyanka River, which has a name Belveder, which is complex for modern people, which in Russian translates as "a stunning view".

At the bottom of the viewing room you can see a slightly carelessly lying huge stone block called the "Stone of Death". Where did this terrible definition come from? This is a perfectly logical explanation. When the stone above Belvedere was wanted to be lifted to be moved to a better place, according to the architect's opinion, he unexpectedly collapsed, crippled and even buried under him many serfs.

Since then, the block has lain here, recalling the terrible events of the past.

Sofiyivka - a place where they explain themselves in love

Numerous travelers who study the culture of Ukraine, as a rule, ask the same thing: "We are going to visit Sofievsky Park (Uman). When is it better to go to this place? "It is quite difficult to answer this question in principle unequivocally. Why? The thing is that everyone finds something of their own here. Someone likes the abundance of birds, someone wanders along the paths with pleasure, and there are those who are bold enough to go on a journey along the underground river or climb rocks, passing over or under the waterfalls.

One would like to say for sure. Those newlyweds who decide to go to Sofiyivka on their wedding day or during the honeymoon, just will not lose.

Like the city of Uman, the Sophia Park in spring, summer, autumn and winter is filled with views and landscapes fabulous, sometimes of some kind of surreal beauty. Even the air itself seems to be saturated with extraterrestrial feelings of passion and love - marvelous Greek-style statues, picturesque rocks, cozy gazebos, noisy waterfalls, boulders and grassy and flowered hills, shady alleys and cool grottoes ...

Legends and tales of Sofievsky Park

Believe in the signs? 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 to the stone, lean against the rock, close your eyes passing under the grotto, and your hidden will come true.

For example, according to one of the legends, if you come out of the water under the Great Waterfall, your plans will be fulfilled. By the way, from a personal example we confirm that it is not difficult to do this, since the passage under the waterfall allows you not to get wet.

The second story relates to the Calypso grotto. It tells that if an unhappy man enters the grotto, he will be happy, and if he is happy, he will certainly become even happier. To make all dreams come true, it is necessary to go around the stone column three times in the middle of the grotto with closed eyes. Also in the corner of the grotto flows a small fountain, in which tourists throw for luck a trifle.

Another legend tells of the miraculous healing by the waters of the Grotto of the Mirror of Diana at the foot of the waterfall of Venus. Every year sick people come here. They say that many sources actually help.

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 brought from all over the world have found their new home here. Just at the entrance to the park there is the main avenue, completely planted with age-old French chestnuts and rare species of poplars.

But in Sofiivka's greenhouses, saplings of the most beautiful plants of our planet are grown, some of which can be purchased for quite a moderate fee. Also to date, the park operates a rosary, in which several hundred different types of flowers are grown.

In the ponds are various fish, floating exotic ducks and majestic swans. In the trees, nests are built and birds are echoed. And in the thickets at any time of year you can spot cheerful squirrels.

What to see first

Starting a walk along the Sophia Park from the main entrance along the wide alley, the first thing you should pay attention to is the Flora Pavilion, made in the Doric style. By the way, it's also a favorite area of local swans, who simply love to eat the abundantly growing grapes here.

Before the pavilion on the left side, three fountains strike the fountains at once. According to legend, if you drink water from the middle, you will become beautiful, and from the extreme - healthy and rich, respectively. Are you afraid to mix it up? Try water from all at once, so for sure!

Further along the way, tourists will be met with a fountain, 18 meters high, fascinating by its originality. It is called "Serpent", and the corresponding form will not allow it to be confused with any other.

Passing a huge number of natural monuments, it is worth to get to the Upper Pond on the island of Anti-Circe. This is the heart of the park, where ladies in hats and lavish dresses and ladies in sumptuous suits stroll. Are they surprised? All these outfits of different eras and styles can be rented right there on the spot! Try to imagine yourself as a time traveler. By the way, the fee is very symbolic.

In general, Sofiyivka has everything that the soul desires: amazing landscapes, stone grottoes, antique statues, rocks, clear lakes, murmuring waterfalls, mysterious water bodies, various cascades and many other interesting places without visiting, you should not leave the park.

Are you hungry? Where can I have a snack?

Still, the amazing city of Uman. Sophia 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 you are invited to treat a traveler, then do it with all the cordiality of real Ukrainians. Cafes, restaurants and canteens are literally at every turn.

By the way, next to the central entrance to the arboretum is a pizzeria with excellent cuisine and very democratic prices for such a crowded place.

And in the park, near the Upper Pond, there are several outlets where you can order a hot dog or buy chips, and also refresh yourself with sweet soda water or ice cream.

Getting acquainted with the city itself

In general, it should be noted that Uman is a beautiful, cozy and quite ancient settlement of the Cherkassy region, in which today the past and the present are harmoniously blended.

And he is known not only for his masterpiece of garden art, the aforementioned dendrological park, but also the grave of the founder of Hasidism, Nachman.

Many know that in the world Uman has the glory of one of the main places of pilgrimage. Several thousand orthodox Jews visit the city every autumn.