ZA "must see" is Khortitza Island, the historic home of the Cossacks. The island is a nature reserve but also has many attractions associated with Cossack history. We would recommend the museum and Cossack horse show in particular. There is also a replica of a traditional Cossack fort which will take you in far past and impress with customs of our ancestors.

The island of Khortitsa, in the Dnieper, was headquarters (sich) of the Zaporozhye Cossacks from the 16th to 18th cent. (The word Zaporozhye means "beyond the rapids", i.e., of the Dnieper.) For nearly three centuries the Zaporozhye Cossacks served as the rallying point for Ukrainian struggles against social, national, and religious oppression.

After the union of Poland and Lithuania in 1569, Ukraine came under Polish rule; but the Poles were too weak to defend it from frequent devastating Tatar raids. The need for self-defence led at the end of the 15th cent. to the rise of the Ukrainian Cossacks, who by the mid-16th cent. had formed a state, organized along republican lines and ruled by a hetman, along the lower and middle Dnieper. At its height it occupied most of South Ukraine except the Black Sea littoral, a possession of the Crimean khans. Although they formally recognized the sovereignty of the Polish kings, the Cossacks, for all intents and purposes, enjoyed complete political independence.

Glorious history of Zaporozhye Cossacks is exciting minds of many artists living nowadays and even centuries ago. The most famous picture by Russian artist Repin "The Zaporozhian Cossacks Writing a Letter to the Sultan of Turkey" took it's plot from the real story, which makes many generations feel pride and smile!

"Taras Bulba" movie by Russian director Bortko was shot on the very Island Khortitsa, cause this land is saturated with heroism and variety of wonderful corageous stories and beauty of national art and music!

Even nowadays you can get into reality of old times, visiting the world-known Cossack Horse Theatre on the Khortitsa Island with replica of real fortress where you can easily feel yourself a real Cossack! And when you get acquainted with city and it's history for the first time you will have a part of Ukraine in your heart forever, you will be in Love!

While your stay in Zaporozhye you will live in a small and cosy hotel, situated in the very centre of the city near Big Clock in front of the City Council. The street of lovers will become your view from the window, you can also get to the Lenin's avenue within 1 minute on foot! Hotel has the most comfortable position of all possible!

Standing on the steps of the hotel , you will see one of many,but the closest ATM on the left and a pleasant hospitable cafe with English menu on the right.

You can order laundry in your hotel and any other service which you may need being far away from home.

Many nice cafes and restaurants are everywhere around this place, among them are Irish Pub, Sushi bar, cafe in Soviet style..etc. The hotel is situated about 10-15 minutes on foot from the bank of the Dnieper river which is the most picturesque in this very part of the city.

Come to Zaporozhye and see everything with your own eyes! You are welcome!

The residential areas of Zaporozhye are very spacious with plenty of light and greenery, and the streets that cross Lenin Avenue - the longest in Europe- slope down towards the Dnieper River. The town stretches out for over 30 kilometers along the river, and along its width the new residential districts extend for 25 kilometers.

The city itself has several museums and theatres as well as a permanent circus that is visited by circus troops from around the world.

Eating out is a pleasure and you can choose between a snack at a kerbside cafe for a few dollars or eat in a smarter restaurant. Our(Ukrainian) cooking is good quality, cheap and plentiful. There is Japanese or Italian cuisine as well as McDonalds if that is your preference. One of the most original eating places is the floating restaurant moored on the Dnieper river next to The Embankment. You can cruise whilst you eat, but if not there is still live entertainment and a small dance floor to augment the eating experience.

The landscape, the Cossacks live horse show, the people, the hospitality, the genuine way of having fun, the spirit of the city, the romantic atomosphere next to the river will become unforgettable for you.

The landscape, the Cossacks live horse show, the people, the hospitality, the genuine way of having fun, the spirit of the city, the romantic atomosphere next to the river will become unforgettable for you.

Climate

The Zaporozhye region is located in the maritime - steppe zone, summer is hot (an average temperature - +25 - +35 C ), winter is mild (an average temperature -10 C- 0 ). Moderate and relatively dry climate with mixed weather conditions.

Money

In Zaporozhye there is no problem to exchange cash and use Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard, there are several ATMs in our city. Western Union is also available for sending money quickly and conveniently.

Transportation

Railways, highways, airlines and water-ways connect Zaporozhye with Moscow, Kiev, Kharkov, Poltava, Simferopol and many other cities and towns in our country. Just beyond the borders of the town to the South, you can find the vast Kakhovsky Reservoir, which is often called a sea, and the Sea of Azov - a very popular health-resort area - lies about 150-200 kilometers further towards the South. Kakhovsky Reservoir finally flows into the Black Sea close to Odessa, one of Ukraine's major ports. You can travel all of the way from Kiev to Odessa by boat on the Ukrainian Waterways.

Most people will fly into either Zaporozhye or Dnepropetrovsk airports from Kiev but there are also good regular flights into Dnepropetrovsk from Vienna, Frankfurt or Moscow. Dnepropetrovsk airport is less than an hour drive from Zaporozhye.The overnight sleeper train from Kiev to Zaporozhye is an alternative way to arrive in our city. A small premium will give you a double berth to yourself or make new friends by sharing a four berth compartment.