Kherson

Kherson is a city in southern Ukraine. It is situated on the picturesque bank of the Dnieper , close to the inflow of the famous river into the Black Sea. In general, Kherson oblast can be called «the gates of the Crimea . Because, anyway, you will have to cross it in order to get to the famous peninsula.

Like many other cities of southern Ukraine, Kherson was founded in the time of the reign of Catherine II. Its foundation, as well as  Odessa , was due to the Russian-Turkish war. Kherson was founded as one of the outposts of the empire to strengthen the southern border. Year 1778 is considered to be date of its foundation. 

Apart from defense, Kherson also had another important purpose - the transit of goods in the southern areas. Over ten years since its foundation, Kherson was considered to be the most important trade center in the Ukrainian lands. Nevertheless, after the emergence of large competitors such as Nikolaev and Odessa the importance of trading Kherson decreased. 

Today Kherson is, first of all, the famous shipbuilding town. Not without reason the symbol of the city is a monument-sailboat. Kherson shipyards were founded almost simultaneously with the first houses. Kherson is also a port city. Local river and sea ports are among ten largest ports of Ukraine. 

Southern Ukraine is traditionally famous for its cuisine. In this meaning Kherson is one of the brightest representatives, where Ukrainian cuisine is presented in all its diversity. And Kherson recipes for traditional borschts and solyankas are generally considered to be canonical for the Ukrainian cuisine. 

Kherson is not identified in Ukraine as a tourist center city, unlike Odessa,  Lvov  or Kiev . However, tourist groups come here regularly. The routes of one of the most popular trip to Ukraine  cruise along the Dnieper river pass through this hospitable city. Tourists are offered to visit the traditional set of sights of Kherson: the ruins of the Kherson fortress of the 18th century, the Cathedral of the Savior and the famous lighthouse of Kherson (Adzhigolsky lighthouse).