About Chernivtsy
Ukraine consists of 25 regions. Each of the regions has its own
attractions and one of them is Chernivtsy, famous by its ancient
history and beauty. An old good Chernivtsy like an old good England
has a great and rich history. It may be divided in a certain way
into 2 large territories: old city and new one surely the old part
has much to be seen. The aria where Chernivtsy is located is called
Bukovina. The name originates from the word “buk” which in English
means “beech”, a type of tree with shiny leaves and small nuts.
This area is very rich on these trees. But not only beeches grow
here also hornbeams, maples, ashes, a lot of silver birches, willows,
chestnuts, lime trees, pines, firs, acacias and many-many others.
I don’t say about fruit trees and bushes and flowers, because they
are so various and there are so many of them everywhere.
Yes, Bukovina is the area of forests, thick and so green. When
you are inside of it, it seems as if you are in some unknown kingdom
where there is some unseen king who rules this place and makes everyone
obey special rules and laws. The forest has a big power, its unusual
silence and peace can cure one of some sickness and at the same
time one can be frightened of this greatness.
Speaking about the architecture of Chernivtsy, it is beyond any
other comparison. Different styles of many centuries have united
into one beauty. Each building and house in the old part can tell
you much of its time and the people who have built them. One of
the best attractions is, of course, our Chernivtsy State University.
The author of this architectural chef-d’oeuvre is the Czech architector
Joseph Glavka. The builders have been erecting this residence from
1864 till 1882. The decorative works have been done by the Czech,
Austrian artists and sculptors. The artists from Bukovina also have
dome much for its erecting. 
First this building has been destined to be the place for Bukovina
Metropolites Residence, and only in 1875 the building has got its
other name: University. Its first faculties have been theological,
juridical and philosophical. Nowadays there are 14 departments here
and it is very prestigious to study at this University. Those who
graduate it have good chances to get jobs abroad.
There is much to say about the culture of Chernivtsy and Bukovina
in general. It is a very melodious area. Many well-known singers
of Ukraine are born in Bukovina, and its music is charming and wonderful.
Different nations live here without wars, various cultures exists
together very peacefully. It all together makes the area bright,
multicoloured, and unusual. Churches of different religious and
dominations stand one by one and none dares to disrespect other
religious. Here are Orthodox, Catholic, Baptist, Luther, Greek-Catholic,
Synagogue and other churches.
Many famous outstanding people have visited Chernivtsy, each in
his time. Among them – Italian singer (tenor) Caruso, talented French
violinist Jacques Thibaud, Hungarian composer and pianist Liszt
and others.
Chernivtsy has always been the center of theatrical and literary
life. Here is a number of museums, music-drama theatre named after
a Ukrainian authoress Olga Kobylyanska. A lot of great poets and
writers lived and created their works in this city of dreams and
songs.
Chernivtsy itself lies not far away from the Carpathian Mountains
upon the Prut River. About 280 000 people live in the capital of
Bukovina. Its name originates from the old slav city Cherni which
was founded in the 12Th century by the Prince of Galychyna Yaroslav
Osmomysl.
The
city and the entire area has been occupied by its foreign enemies.
During the Mongolian-Tartar yoke it was left all in ruins. The first
records about the city appeared in the year of 1408. Since many
historical events have taken place here. Bukovina was occupied by
the Hungarians, after them – by the Turkish invaders. For about
150 years it has been in the possession of the Austrian-Hungarian
Empire. After the World War 1 Rumania took possession of this area
(1918-1940). And only in 1940 Bukovina became the part of Ukraine.
The history of not only Ukraine is long, complicated and full of
events. Each nation has much to say about its land, people, its
beauties, sorrow, treasures and one cannot state that some certain
country, nation is better than others, we all are equal, we all
are the people of God, we have one sun to warm and one world to
live in.
Photogallery
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