Five reasons to visit Zaporozhye in 2018

Zaporozhye is not on the list of the most popular tourist cities in Ukraine. Not surprising. The industrial giant is going through hard times. The city has big problems with the environment – outdated equipment at factories smokes mercilessly – as well as with demographics – young people leave for the Dnieper, Kharkov, Kyiv or further abroad.

But still, there are at least five reasons to visit Zaporozhye in 2018.

1) Cathedral Avenue.

As soon as the main thoroughfare of Zaporizhzhia was not named after Lenin, Hitler, Karl Liebknecht…. As a result, it became just Prospekt, and even on minibuses they write “Along the Prospekt”. It starts right next to the railway station, but a truly beautiful street gets closer to the city center. Pre-war houses have been preserved there, the same ones that received a medal in Paris in 1932 for the best architectural development project. The old houses harmonize wonderfully with the green clubs and the renovated paving stones on the sidewalk, and are somewhat reminiscent of Karl Marx Strasse in Berlin.

2) DneproGES.

None of the photographs or descriptions convey the majestic scale of the huge dam. Take the risk of walking along it from one coast to another. The dam is patrolled by guards, but walking tourists do not arouse suspicion in them. It is necessary to see the level of water drop up close and realize what power is held by a concrete partition – by the way, not so wide. When the bridge vibrates under your feet from a passing car, the adrenaline rush is guaranteed.

And what a magnificent view of the river from the middle of the bridge! The last of the Zaporizhia rapids, two channels of the Dnieper, the island of Khortitsa and distant shores. If you’re lucky, you’ll see ships passing through the locks. Even in bad weather it is beautiful there – where else can you see how wide the Dnieper “roar and hail”.

3) Industrial tourism.

You can just admire the DneproHES power plant from above, or you can go inside with a tour. True, for this it will be necessary to send an application by e-mail in advance. But it will be possible to brag that he visited the place where electricity is born.

Recently, tours have also been held at the key enterprise of the city, the Zaporizhstal plant. To get there, you also need to send a letter, regular mail or e-mail. The management of the plant encourages excursions, and responds to requests willingly and quickly. The tour is safe: the plant is regularly visited by schoolchildren.

After visiting the factory, you will decide what impressed you more – the harsh power of a huge enterprise or its impact on the environment.

4) City festivals.

Festivals in Zaporozhye are surprisingly many and varied. Of course, festivals of Cossack culture are held several times a year. The Cossack-Cossack is one of the symbols of the city, the Cossacks are honored here, the heritage of their ancestors is respected and cherished.

In addition, there are many festivals for young talents, including the growing ZaGrayFest. There are also more modern events – this is the festival of colors Holi or a gathering of bikers. And the most original party is the festival of alternative music INDUST. In 2018, the festival will be held for the fourth time.

5) Khortitsa Island.

This place deserves its own tour. In addition to stunningly beautiful views of the Dnieper and the dam, there are many features that are pleasant for the soul and body. Wonderful nature. The best beach in the city with holiday houses and restaurants. Equipped picnic areas with barbecue grills. Sports base where you can rent a boat. And of course, the pearl Khortytsia – Zaporizhzhya Sich. Of course, this is not the wooden fortress where the legendary Cossacks lived, but the reconstruction was done well.