Dikanka is an area with unique possibilities for tourism development in Ukraine. Famous Russian writers such as Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol(born not far from Dikanka and while often included amongst the great "Russian" writers, was, in fact, Ukrainian, writing in the Russian language), and artist Maria K. Bashkirtseva (also born not far from here) have all depicted this area in the Poltava Oblast (an Oblast is similar to a state or province in the West) in their works. Dikanka has long been an attractive place to visit for both tourists and holiday-makers. Her nice landscapes, fascinating history, interesting culture, traditions, kind and hard-working people all contribute to make it a pleasant experience for guests. If you visit Dikanka, you’ll leave with many good memories of your visit to this environmentally clean corner of Ukraine. You will have had opportunities to learn about Ukrainian architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries, commune with nature and view a host of other significant historical sites in this wonderful corner of Ukraine.
The Triumphal Arch, located at the entrance to the city, is, according to tradition, where most tourists and guests to Dikanka are greeted. This arch was built in 1820 to commemorate the visit of the Russian Emperor, Alexander I in 1817. When this archway was built, it served as an entrance to the estate of the family Kochubay (Kochubay was the famous Cossack commander who betrayed Hetman Mazepa and whose treason helped the Russian Emperor subdue Ukraine). The arch was designed by an academic of architecture Mr. Luigi Ruska. Mr. Ruska has many famous architectural creations in Saint Petersburg including the Bobrinsky Palace. He is also responsible for the design of several Triumphal Arches in Russia commemorating the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812. The Triumphal in Dikanka is the only one in Ukraine, and stands as Dikankanka’s local cultural symbol of the triumphant victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 over the French. It is said that the heros of Gogol’s novels offer Varennekys (pierogies) and accompany guests through the arch as an invitation to them to visit this nice historical
On the south border surrounding the village of Dikanka, near the forest, is located Mikolaivska Church. It was built in the year 1794 by a well - known architect, M.O. L’viv, in a classical style. L’viv was the first to apply the style of the double rotunda. Later, another double rotunda was also built on the famous Kasan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Mikolaivska Church was founded in the 17th century according to the benediction of Lazar Baranovich (the archbishop of Chernihiv). And still today, people remember the miracle of the icon of St. Nick (for which the church is named), and the several impressive oak iconoclasts nearby. Beneath the church you will find the Kochubay family burial vault. Buried here are five men and three wives of Ukrainian Cossack royalty.
A bell tower was built nearby as part of this architectural project of Luigi Ruska from the years 1820 to 1827. The melody of the 8 bells could be heard as far away as the Poltava city limits.
Dikanka’s second famous church is Troitska church. It was built in 1780, in a wooden Khrestovozdvishenskoi baroque architechtural style, on a farm in the historical center of the village. This church was visited by Cossacks. When it was opened it was founded as a church school. Under the right half of this church is the builder of the church is buried. The church was sponsored by Kochubay and his wife Ulyana Bezberodko. The Troitska church is the only one in Ukrainian memory representing architecture that is closely tied with Gogol’s literary creations, as in his story, a “Night Before Christmas” in his collection of stories found in his book, “An Evening in a Village near
The Parasotsky Forest is a beautiful botanical area and a state treasure. It occupies 145 square hectares. The specific composition of plants is very rich and varied. In this area you can find approximately 360 kinds of plants. This area is located on the north east border of the Kochubay estate.
A spruce grove has resulted from some much earlier planting of the European evergreen tree over an area of 4.5 hectares that provides visitors with a lush view of nature. Fir trees were planted during the years of 1908-1910 on the border surrounding the village of Dikanka, next to the lilac grove, located behind the Pivovarski lakes.
A man-make lake is located 9km from Dikanka on an area of 150.3 hectares. This artificial reservoir was created in 1972 and is populated with a natural flora and fauna which has become a favorite place of the Dikanka area. Near the birch bark trees at the base of the storage pool is a rest area which operates the “Clean wave.” To locals and tourists alike, is it a great place to relax, picnic, fish and take boat rides.
Another favorite place to relax for Dikankans is a beach area on the river. Here, people lower kayaks onto the river, go fishing, camping and share interesting stories of unmatched historical nature.
Bulonskiy Park is located on the territory of the “Sputnik” resort located in the nearby village of Mikhaulivka. It was founded by a Frenchman named Etyenom Francois Anthony Thomas, who was employed in the area and was a longtime resident. He personally transported the transplanted nursery saplings and formed the crown of trees and bushes, planted first along the edges of the forest, alleys, and paths. In Bulonskiy Park, you will find the same kinds of trees you can find in Paris, the land of his birth. Mikhaylivska’s Bulonskiy park, presently called Anthony Thomas park, occupies an area 1,000 times less than a park by the same name in Paris of which it is a reproduction. It is highly recommended that you take the time to visit Anthony Thomas Park if you are in
Described in Alexander Pushkin’s famous poem, “Poltava,” are the 800 year old oaks of Kochubay. They are in the Mokolayevsky forest , not far away from the Mikolaivska church on the old Poltava way. The oaks of Kochubay are of significant nature and have been legally protected since 1964. There are 4 giant oaks (one stands temporarily near a forest district), 800 years old with trunk diameters of 1.5-1.8 meters and heights of 20-22 meters. These Oaks are what have remained from oak alley that decorated the entrance to Kochubay’s first farmstead (his palace was later completely destroyed in the Revolution), and some people remember, that near one of the giant oaks, Kochubay and his young daughter, Maria, would meet and greet visiting Ukrainian Tsars.
Founded in the first 20 years of the 19th century, on an area of 2 hectares, exists Dikanka’s famous lilac grove. This grove is of unique significance and considered in the same league as the best gardens in Ukraine. The grove was originally a quarry from which they removed clay for Kochubay’s brick factory, and later, on this same land, one hundred lilacs were planted.
The lilac grove in Dikanka is a well preserved domestic settlement. It symbolizes the connection between long ago and today, between long standing folk customs and modern life. From generation to generation various stories are passed on that tell us about former owners of the Kochubay farmstead, including the troubled fate of the daughter of one of them – Anna, who was very ill and was transported by her father from St. Petersburg to the family house in Dikanka where it was said that the lilac grove was planted for her pleasure, on the location of the former brick-making plant, as a form of treatment.
When the lilac are in bloom, all people are overwhelmed by the beauty, and over the years, many people visit to see this splendor and enjoy. At this time, in the lilac grove, many people visit during the weekends to enjoy the beauty, dance, relax and celebrate a folk holiday. This spring holiday of nature is named after the “Songs of the Lilac Garden”. This holiday has become an annual regional celebration, celebrated not only by people from the Poltava region but from many cities from throughout Ukraine. It is important for the entire Poltavan Oblast. During this celebration, many groups participate in collective dancing and singing representing all of Ukraine, including groups such as the “Township masters”, “Beehive of Red Dog”, “Art Studio Solozha” and “Smithy of Vacula”. There are athletic competitions with prizes for the winners, such as the competition of the lilac garden holiday. Here, the guests have the opportunity to sample Ukrainian food like Galushki, varenneky and shish-kabobs. Beer and other beverages are also available.
The state regional museum of history, located in Dikanka, is named after renowned Eastern European painter Michael Garmash and is an important place where guests can view approximately 8,000 exhibits. The reputation of this museum is magic in nature. The exhibits represent events from the historical past to present time in this city where Nikolai Gogol frequented.
You can purchase souvineers in the museum, made by such masters as Bratsky, Bekpulatova, Guz, Gromova (claywork), Vowk, (towels), pictures by the painter Krivoy, and photos respresenting historical places of Dikanka captured by photographers O. Zabotynsky and M. Sukhoroslova.
There are in 8 halls in the art gallery in Dikanka, exhibiting pictures and graphics, sculpture, coinage on metal, woodcrafts and needlepoint, created by folk masters and painters. A cozy separate hall is devoted to the creations of the world famous actress M.K. Bashkirtsavoy. In this hall, you can view portraits of well-known artists of Ukraine who presented their works to this gallery.
Another comfortable hall is located in the room of literature, which has served as the artistic living room of Maria Baskina, where creative evenings of local artists, composers, poets, writers, creative young people, all have passed an enjoyable evening here along with other equally interesting people.
The village “Chernechy Yar” is known from the 17th century. It is landscaped with deep ravines and dark forests assisted in development by the monks who settled here. The village is named after this settlement. Extraordinarily picturesque landscape attracts many tourists and holiday makers. Movies filmed here include, in 1964, “They are Going East,” produced by Vittorio De Santisa (USSR-Italy) and in 1970, “Sunflowers,” produced by Vittorio de Sikka, featuring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastrianni in leading roles.
On the natural boundary of “Korchak”, in the near-by village of Stasi (7km from Dikanka) , you can find an area reserved for down-hill skiers to develop their skills. This operation, named Butovskogo, has been used as a training ground for athletes who compete in several winter competitions including the Olympics. This complex is equipped with two lifts. Real snow is supplemented by snow made by “VARIO-5” snow generators. This area was developed as a tourist base for winter enthusiasts. It has become tradition at Korchak, in winter, to conduct the regional sporting celebration theatricalizing the “SAINTED” on the base of the hill. Here, people participate in Ukrainian skiing competitions between both athletes and amateurs. This holiday, with the participation of characters from N. Gogol’s literary work, “An Evening in a Village Near Dikanka,” include Solozha, Oksana, and Vacula, played by some of the best amateur artists, contribute to memories that you will cherish for years. These heros of Gogol’s novels serve guests Ukrainian food, including varrenneky, shish-kabobs, and Cossack kulish.
Dikanka, made famous by Nickolai Gogol, has attracted tourists and holiday makers, regularly over the years. As Dikanka represents something very authentically Ukrainian, most people, visiting this famous city, will recommend a visit to their friends as well.