About Nikolaev

Nikolaev is located in the south of Ukraine, on a small peninsula near the rivers South Bug and Ingul. It is a large sea and river port with access to the Black Sea. The city is called the cradle of the Black Sea Fleet.

Nikolaev was founded in 1789 as a shipyard, and later the central administration of the Black Sea Fleet. Therefore, it is not surprising that many people call this city a museum of the history of shipbuilding in Ukraine under the open sky.

Arriving in Nikolaev, first of all it is worth to visit the most popular place for recreation of residents and visitors of the city – the Fleet Boulevard. It is a picturesque and cozy pedestrian promenade by the Ingul River. There are monuments to the founder of the city Grigory Potemkin, the head of the construction of the shipyard Mikhail Faleev and the famous naval commander Sergei Makarov. Before you will open the view of the two sliding bridges and the ancient building of the yacht club. To get to the Fleet boulevard of Nikolaev, you need to take bus number 54 on Chigirina Street, which is two blocks from the railway station. On this bus, you should go to the “Admiralskaya Street” stop.

Admiring Nikolaevsky boulevard, head directly along the Naberezhnaya street. Here you will see a complex of buildings of the Admiralty: Staroflotsky barracks, a shipyard and a male gymnasium. The building of the Admiralty you can learn by high spire. It is located at the intersection of Sadovaya and Admiralnaya streets. Next are Staroflotsky barracks. They were built in the classic style in the middle of the 19th century and are designed for sailors of naval crews. Now these buildings have a museum, the exposition of which is made up of unique items found in the Black Sea area. Of interest are objects found during excavations of ancient Olbia.

On Admiralskaya Street, 4 you will have the opportunity to visit the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet or the Museum of Shipbuilding and Fleet. Here you will learn about the development of shipbuilding in the Northern Black Sea coast from the most ancient times to the present day. The museum features ancient maps, fragments of old ships, models of the first ships, a collection of old weapons. Nearby is the diorama “Construction of the first sailing ships at the Nicholas Admiralty.” You can get to the museum by going down the Embankment street by Akim, and then you will need to take the trolleybus No. 4 or bus number 40.

After visiting the museum, go to the top of the Admiral Street, where it intersects with the Artillery. There you will see another architectural landmark of Nikolaev, which dates back to 1824. This building of officers of the fleet, which is also an excellent example of the classic style. In addition to shipbuilding, spiritual life is actively developing in Nikolaev. The city is named in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and it is not surprising that in Nikolaev many religious buildings are built, named in honor of this saint. In the center of the city on Faleevskaya Street you can visit the St. Nicholas Cathedral Church and visit the Chapel of St. Nicholas, which is located on Lenin Square on the site of the former Admiralty Cathedral. In the city of Nikolaev there are also two cathedrals – the Cathedral of the Kasperovo Icon of the Mother of God and the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. The most revered temple of the Black Sea is the cathedral of the Kasperovskaya Mother of God. The temple has 7 domes, which symbolize 7 church ordinances. The cathedral is located on the greenest street of the city – Sadovaya. Certainly worth a visit and in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. This is the oldest of the existing religious buildings, built in 1800. By ringing a huge 8-ton bell, he begins his everyday matinee service. You can get to it from the center by trolley bus No. 6, you need to get off at the stop “Sovetskaya Street”.

In addition to Orthodox churches, you will see Catholic shrines in Mykolayiv. The church of St. Joseph is effectively distinguished against the background of the Soviet architectural buildings of Nikolaev. Here you can visit a concert of organ music, and in the courtyard of the temple admire the collection of stone sculptures. By tram number 3 you will get from Sovetskaya street to the Decembrists street, on which the church is located.

The city of Nikolaev is a wonderful place for rest with the whole family. For children there is built a large children’s playground called “Fairy Tale”. It resembles a small town, in which the characters of cartoons and folklore are collected. There are castles and fortresses, swings and various attractions. “Fairy Tale” is located not far from the center on the Decembrists street. Also you can visit the Nikolaev Zoo, which is part of the World Association of Aquariums and Zoos. It contains a variety of species of animals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, including a long-liver – a 60-year-old crocodile. The zoo is located on Leontovich Square. In the city of Nikolaev, you can also visit the water park – one of the first in the country, opened on the basis of the water sports complex. Skating on the high and steep slides of this entertainment complex will bring the most vivid and unforgettable impressions. To the aquapark from the center you will get on a fixed-route taxi No. 1 or No. 52.

Although the city of Nikolaev was founded no more than 250 years ago, there were traces of settlement of ancient peoples – the Cimmerians, who lived here in the 12th century BC. At the intersection of the South Bug and Ingul rivers at the beginning of the Naberezhnaya street there is an ancient settlement “Wild Garden”. In it archaeological excavations are still conducted. In addition, on the outskirts of Nikolaev are the ruins of another ancient settlement called Olvia. This city was founded by Greek immigrants in the 6th century BC. Now here is created a historical and archeological museum-reserve in which you will see the surviving fortifications of Olbia, the ruins of ancient temples, burials and foundations of buildings. To get to the reserve, you need to take a shuttle taxi to Parutino, which leaves from the Nikolayev bus station.

Getting to know the city of Nikolaev will bring you a good mood and a lot of positive emotions!