What is a good vacation? It is a vacation that gives a lot of pleasant impressions and fills with strength. That is why tourists come to the city of Vizhnitsa. All year round Vizhnitsa attracts travelers, and not for nothing — there is everything that can attract a person interested in the surrounding world and concerned about his health: beautiful old architecture, unique natural objects, springs with healing water, clean mountain air and, of course, the Carpathians themselves, which never cease to excite the hearts of connoisseurs of the beauty and splendor of Mother Nature.
Vizhnitsa is one of the relatively small towns in the Chernivtsi region of Ukraine, located in the foothills of the Carpathians. According to the data for 2007 in this town lived only about 5 thousand people, which is not much by modern standards, and yet, this seemingly provincial town will give a head start to many megacities. Here to the inquisitive eye of the tourist will open picturesque ancient streets, which can be seen only in those European cities, the birth of which was in the distant Middle Ages, monuments of cult and public architecture, belonging to different centuries and styles. The atmosphere you will feel while staying on vacation in Vizhnitsa, takes you somewhere far away from the world we live in now, maybe due to the stunning location of the city right at the foot of the legendary Carpathian Mountains, and maybe simply because of the venerable age, rich and interesting history of this amazing place.
The first mention of Vizhnitsa in historical documents dates back to 1501. At that time this region belonged to the Moldavian principality. In general, this city for its centuries-old history has been, in addition to Moldavia, in the composition of many states: Kievan Rus, Galicia-Volyn principality, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Romania, the USSR. Could such a troubled fate not affect the appearance of this city? Of course not — today it is a city of contrasts, a city in which you can find, for example, religious buildings of so many denominations, which you will not find in many cities with a hundred thousand inhabitants. And yet, different notes are united here by a common motif, a single score — the inimitable Hutsul color.
People who lived here, at all times, despite everything, kept their culture and customs, practiced crafts and protected the spiritual heritage of their ancestors. And if Chernivtsi is the heart of Bukovina, then Vizhnitsa is its soul. Today, as 100, 200 and 300 years ago, the city hosts fairs, where local craftsmen gladly demonstrate the skills passed down from generation to generation, presenting them to impressed tourists in the form of beautiful samples of weaving, pottery, carpentry and other folk arts. Nowadays, along with fairs, many regional festivals, religious festivals and celebrations of important dates are held here. By coming here, any visitor can witness such festivals, which are held in Vizhnitsa at all times of the year.
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Apart from fairs and festivals, Vizhnica is famous for its architectural sights: such religious buildings as St. Demetrius Church, Synagogue, St. Peter and Paul Church of the 19th century, Town Hall, railway station and St. Nicholas Church built in the early 20th century.
It is also noteworthy that Vizhnica is the gateway to the Vizhnicka National Nature Park, where travelers can enjoy picturesque landscapes and inspiring panoramas. Among the unique natural sites are Nemchich Pass, the rock massif «Protracted Stones», where you can see the unique geological formation «Falcon’s Eye» and many others.
In winter Vizhnitsa is a developing ski resort, and in the warm season — a wonderful place where holiday in the Carpathians will seem like a real fairy tale. In summer there are organized hikes in the mountains, rafting on the river Cheremosh, in the valley of which the city is located, on kayaks, rafts, catamarans and other watercraft, tourists are also engaged in rock climbing or just rest measured and quiet in comfortable hotels — rest in Vizhnica today, it is a vacation for every taste. Having come here, everyone gets what they are looking for, and will certainly come back again.