Archaeological and ethnographic values, centers of decorative arts, castles and estates, magnificent nature & mdash; this is what Slobozhanshchina, the historical northeastern region of Ukraine, is rich in. The region was formed on the border of three states (the Crimean Khanate, Muscovy and the Commonwealth) in the 17-18 centuries. A week will not be enough to explore this region, because in addition to cultural monuments, there are picturesque valleys, hills, lakes and even caves, rich reserves and landscape parks. Take on car rental in Kharkov and go on an exciting trip!
A weekend in solitude with nature
Please note that the State Ecological Inspectorate of Ukraine in the period from 1.04 to 15.06 introduces in reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries «Silence mode ».During this time, activities that create noise and may interfere with the mass reproduction of wild birds and animals are prohibited. If you are not going to arrange cross-country car races, blow up firecrackers and fireworks, turn on loud music, then you can visit:
- «Dvurechansky» —incredibly beautiful National Park, in the north-east of the Kharkov region. Rare birds, ground squirrels, roe deer and foxes, endless steppe, chalk mountains on the right bank of the Oskol and meadow flowers. A trip here will become a real window into the world of nature for children and adults, because of all the inhabitants of the park, 30 species of animals and plants are listed in the Red Book. The rest will be civilized and pleasant thanks to sandy beaches, recreation areas in the middle of a pine forest and springs with healing mineral water;
- Salt Lake – a reservoir of technogenic origin, 110 km from Kharkov, which was formed in 1962 during an accident while drilling a gas well (depth 3 km). A crater 60 meters wide and about 9.5 meters deep, filled with salt water, remained in place. According to local residents, this water perfectly heals wounds and skin inflammations;
- Kitsevo Sands – a real desert on the right bank of the Seversky Donets in the Chuguevsky region. This is the real kingdom of lizards and insects, which turns into a wonderful oasis in the spring. The route here will be of interest to fans of extreme driving, as races are often held here;
- Semoizerye – seven artificially created cascading reservoirs, a paradise for fishermen in a real forest thicket. However, to get there in rainy weather, you should rent a powerful SUV at NarsCars;
- Gomolshany forests – a reserve park with ancient settlements, burial mounds and the ruins of a Cossack monastery. The oak groves are home to a lot of wild animals. It is here that the legendary Cossack Mountain and White Lake are located;
- Velikoburlukskaya steppe – a landscape park in which the marmot reserve is located. The main attraction of the reserve & ndash; the marmot Timka, which predicts the coming of spring;
- Slobozhansky – the most beautiful natural park in the area, with untouched peat bogs, wild beavers, cranes and many other birds, animals and plants.
In order not to get lost in the forest or steppe, order a GPS navigator when renting a car at NarsCars and do not forget to take your map with you.
Princely Kharkiv region
In the amazing corners of the region, there are old estates that keep the legends of the past centuries. Many of them are worthy of the attention of not only local ethnographers, but also tourists.
- Natalyevka– founded by the famous Ukrainian philanthropist Ivan Kharitonenko, located on the territory of the masterpiece of landscape gardening architecture of the 19th century and named after his granddaughter. Despite the fact that the main house has not survived, many no less interesting buildings remain in the Natalievsky Park;
- Sharovsky Castle (Koenig Palace) – built by the landowner Olkhovsky at the beginning of the 19th century and bought by the sugar manufacturer Leopold Koenig, after which it was completely reconstructed. A magnificent park with a unique linden alley deserves special attention;
- Shydlovsky palace – built in the second half of the 18th century and was once a huge complex with a picturesque landscape park, now it is almost completely abandoned;
- Kulikovsky palace – a pearl of Russian classicism, the construction of which began at the end of the 18th century in the vicinity of the village of Rakitnoe. Now the building houses the Rakitnyanskiy professional agrarian lyceum;
- the Pavlovs' estate – the building of the early 19th century is now accessible for inspection only from the outside, since it houses the Malyzhinsky neuropsychiatric boarding school;
- Gievka – a unique complex of the early 19th century with a beautiful garden on the outskirts of Lyubotin. Now it is in desolation;
- the Shcherbinins' estate – the priest's house, where Grigory Skovoroda often stayed.
Slobozhanshchina has a rich history, one weekend is definitely not enough to explore all its corners!
A city that is 400 years old
If you have very little time to get to know the city, and you want to see as much as possible, use the service hourly car rental. In just one day, you can visit the most interesting places of Kharkov:
- the sixth largest in Europe and 12th in the world, Freedom Square, which covers 12 hectares and can accommodate the population of a small town. It was built in the 30s of the last century, when Kharkov was the capital of Ukraine. In addition to its size, it is interesting for its unique shape, several historical buildings and monuments;
- Sumskaya street – the main one in the city, with houses and mansions of old buildings;
- the oldest Constitution square in Kharkiv;
- sculptures on the Square of Architects;
- cozy and atmospheric Pushkinskaya street;
- the most beautiful Railway Station Square in Ukraine.
Inexpensive car rental will allow you to admire the most beautiful fountains, old and new monuments, towers, religious architecture, manicured parks and gardens, visit the zoo and ecopark, the botanical garden and the embankment. The city's tourist resources are truly inexhaustible, and you will definitely want to come back here again!
