This amazing city is the embodiment of the best traditions of different architectural styles, Ukrainian cordiality and hospitality. The city of Chernivtsi is unique in everything, it surprises, delights, mesmerizes with its beauty and therefore remains forever in the heart of its guests. Having been in Chernivtsi once, many people want to come back here again and see more architectural and natural beauties, strolling along cozy streets to plunge deeper into its ancient history.
The city of Chernivtsi was founded on the left bank of the Prut River in the XII century, when a fortress was built here at the command of the Galician prince Yaroslav Osmomysl. Because of its black wooden walls the city later received its name — Chern, Chorny Gorod, and then Chernivtsi. This fortress was destroyed in 1259 by the Tatar dungeon Burundai, but to the remaining ramparts in the XVII century were added bastions, one of which has survived to this day. The next settlement appeared on the right bank of the Prut.
For the first time as a city Chernivtsi is mentioned in 1408 in the charter of trade privileges, issued on October 8 — this day is considered the official birthday of the city, which was then already part of the Moldavian principality. Since then, the history of Chernivtsi has been unusual and unconventional compared to other Ukrainian cities: after the Moldavian Principality, the city and Bukovina as a whole were occupied by the Ottoman Empire, then Austria, Romania, which could not but leave an imprint on its architectural appearance.
The period of Chernivtsi’s rapid prosperity is rightly considered to be 1775-1918, when the city and Bukovina were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austrian monarchs took such care in the development of the capital of Bukovina that it became by all standards a real European city, one of the most beautiful and richest in architectural, cultural, scientific and industrial terms. Rapid construction, active settlement of the city, opening of enterprises, educational institutions and the emergence of the railroad in the late XVIII — XIX centuries turned Chernivtsi from a small ancient settlement into a large developed city, which further strengthened its status as the cultural center of Bukovina, its soul.
A special place in the history and heritage of the city is its multinationality. Here lived and live not only Ukrainians, but also Austrians, Romanians, Germans, Jews, Armenians, and thanks to the fact that, despite the different views on religion, traditions, the inhabitants of the city at all times were able to harmoniously coexist, all have contributed to its architecture, created its peculiar spirit. Walking around Chernivtsi, one can feel this spirit, this mood, this soothing harmony.
The architecture of Chernivtsi is a unique, harmonious combination of different styles and trends, different thoughts and ideas about beauty. Here you can see old buildings in the style of classicism, art nouveau of XVIII-XIX centuries, surprising unpredictable combination of elements in the buildings built in the eclectic style, among which the visiting card of the city — the former Residence of Metropolitans, and now Chernivtsi University. The outstanding architect Josef Hlavka created a masterpiece, which neighbors elements of Romanesque, Byzantine, Gothic, Moorish styles and elements of Bukovynian folk architecture. Another famous building in Chernivtsi is the City Hall, the main element of the magnificent ensemble of the Central Square.
Today Chernivtsi sights are more than 600 cultural, architectural, historical places, constructions and buildings. Because of its eventful and complex destiny in Chernivtsi you can see many unusual and interesting things: for example, next to the General’s House in the style of classicism — the strict Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Cross, next to the Baroque theater — the Armenian church, and next to the ancient Nikolaevsky Cathedral of the early XVII century — the Synagogue. The historic center of the city means beautiful buildings, ancient sidewalks and dizzying European romance.
For those who want to learn even more interesting things about Bukovina and Ukraine, to see world masterpieces of art, Chernivtsi has many museums: the Museum of Local Lore, where you can see collections of ancient books and even Ivan Fyodorov’s Ostrog Bible, the Museum of Art, the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life — an old Bukovina village in the open air, and many others.
Chernivtsi is always a welcoming, charming with its beauty and uniqueness, tantalizing with its attractions, a visit to which will bring unique pleasure to any tourist.