Khortytsia tour

Khortytsia island tour

We invite you to a one-day tour to the Khortytsia island – a national reserve and the largest island on the Dnieper river. In addition, this is a place of power with positive energy and an unusually picturesque nature with rare plants, floodplains, hanging swamps. Also, on Khortytsia there have been preserved sanctuaries dating from the Scythian era, wooden figures of pagan gods, and mounds. Today, a unique complex “Zaporizhzhia Sich” is opened here – the reconstruction of the Cossack fortress of the 16th-18th centuries, where you will get acquainted with the culture and life of the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks, attend master classes and the Cossack battle theater.

Mounds

Курганы
Mounds are several mound groups that have survived on the island. They are embankments of various sizes, most of which are hardly noticeable due to their descent to the surface.

Cromlechs (Eneolithic)

The Cromlechs of the Eneolithic era feature a complex of 12 cromlechs and 6 bookmarks (V-IV millennia BC). It is related to the largest kurgan group in Khortytsia. Nearby, there are the remains of one of the most ancient sanctuaries, which is distinguished by the greatest preservation of elements.

Scythian Stand

Скифский стан
Scythian Stand is a memorial complex of 5 hectares with 11 mounds, including reconstructed ones. Here you can also see a lapidarium made of ancient stone works (sculptures, crosses, idols, tools), as well as restored mounds.

Stone

Каменное святилище
The Stone Sanctuary is a section of the Bronze Age cult complex. It is an egg-shaped bookmark made of granite stones. Nowadays, a wooden figure of the pagan goddess Makosh was created on the territory of the complex.

Bronze Age

Святилище эпохи бронзы
The sanctuary of the Bronze Age features several stone bookmarks for cult purposes (II millennium BC). The researchers found that the structures were not broken. Wooden statues of pagan gods have also been preserved here.

Triglav

Триглав
“Triglav” is a pagan wooden sanctuary, shaped like a ship. Among the figures-gods, the main one is Triglav (Perun, Dazhbog and Makosh). In the center of the sanctuary there is a sacrifice column (Treba).

Observatory

Святилище-обсерватория
The Observatory Sanctuary is the largest sanctuary on the island. These are 3 cromlechs and 7 bookmarks found as a result of excavations (II millennium BC). All structures were built of gray granite. In the center you can see a rounded bookmark, with two large stone pillars above that contain traces of handwork.

Scythian era

Скифская эпоха
The Scythian era is a sanctuary of rounded stonework (V-IV centuries BC) of various shapes. Under the bookmark, archaeologists have identified the outline of a human burial. It became possible to identify the date of the structure based on fragments of antique ceramics found here.

Khortytsia wild steppe

Хортицкая первостепь
Khortytsia wild steppe is a picturesque coastal strip of the island, covered with steppe herbs. The length of this section reaches 2 km, width – 100 m. The uniqueness lies in the richness of the steppe forbs. In addition, it is here that several different natural landscapes are combined, creating unique views.

Khortytski Plavni

Хортицкие плавни
Khortytski Plavni is a natural reserve area where you can find century-old trees, lakes and flooded forests. A visit is possible only via an excursion path, observing the reserve regime. Walking along the path, you will see all the diversity of the natural world of the island and enjoy the picturesque landscapes.

Protolche

Протолче
Protolche is the southern part of Khortytsia with a historical landscape and a farmstead. Here you will see lakes with lilies and floodplains, as well as a forest with centuries-old oaks and rare plants.

Hanging marshes

Висячие болота
Hanging marshes are marsh plants growing on rocky banks. Here, due to the shallow bedding of groundwater, steppe plants are mixed with marsh vegetation, and in some places they are replaced by reeds. Such a combination of landscapes is extremely rare and that’s the phenomenon that makes Khortytsia unique.

Arboretum

Дендропарк
Arboretum is a park with various trees and bushes, both local and exotic plants. Professor Rubtsov took part in the foundation of the park. Some of the local trees were donated by the Nikitskyi Botanical Garden. The arboretum has got the Juniper Grove, the Oak Alley, and the Sunny Valley.

Three Masts

Три Мачты
Three Masts are up to 75 m high electrical supports, located on the Sovutyn rock. Originally, four unique pillars were built in the 1930s, and after World War II, at the end of the 1940s three pillars were restored on each bank. Towers made of tall steel pipes that date back to the 1960s are located nearby.

Baida Island

Остров Байды
Baida Island is an islet (570 m long, 160 m wide) that repeats both the shape and landscape of Khortytsia. Its northern side is rocky, the central part is the steppe, and the southern part is a flooded forest. This place is also interesting for its history. Thus, the remains of the fortifications of 1735-1739 and the remains of a town with a fortress of the 16th century have survived on the island. Nowadays there is a recreation center on the island.

Museum of Cossacks

Музей казачества
Museum of the Cossacks is dedicated to the history of Khortytsia, as well as to the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. You will see themed dioramas, a collection of weapons and household items of the Cossacks, money and other exhibits.

Zaporizhzhia Sich

Запорожская Сечь
Zaporizhzhia Sich is a complex dedicated to the Ukrainian Cossacks. It is located on the island of Khortytsia and is a town where the buildings and fortifications of the Cossack sections of the 17th-18th centuries have been recreated. A koshevyi house, an administration, a smithy, a pottery, a tavern, a rampart with a palisade, a church, and towers were erected here. There is also a storage with cannons, weapons and cannonballs. The expositions tell about the life and traditional crafts of the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. Among the exhibits there are original items from the 16th-18th centuries. Theatrical performances, excursions and master classes are held on the territory.