Modern Donetsk is a large industrial, cultural and hospitable center of eastern Ukraine. If you think that there are only factories and enterprises here, you are very much mistaken. Donetsk’s sights are a marvelous combination of past and present.
Donetsk’s history dates back to 1869, when English entrepreneur John Hughes laid down a metallurgical plant here. But it should be noted that the modern lands of Donbass have been inhabited since the New Stone Age and Copper-Bronze Age. Studies of archeologists have shown that the valley of the river Kalmius in different historical times was inhabited by Pechenegs, Sarmatati, Polovtsians, Scythians, Slavs.
But let’s still go back to the XIX century. At this time in the eastern part of Ukraine is rapidly developing coal industry, the first mines appear. The government of the Russian Empire issued a concession to Prince Sergei Viktorovich Kochubey, according to which he should build a factory for the manufacture of iron rails, but the prince sold his rights to the Englishman John Hughes. The working settlement Yuzovka appeared and is the forerunner of modern Donetsk. Soon the metallurgical plant built here, thanks to the well-chosen location, reaches the level of the industrial center of the Russian Empire.
In 1897 the population of Yuzovka was 29 thousand people. Although Yuzovka received the status of a city only in May 1917, already in the late XIX century it could be considered a full-fledged city. There were stores, restaurants, banks, hotels and even the Transfiguration Cathedral, which unfortunately has not survived to this day. Territorially Yuzivka was divided into two parts: the southern, the so-called industrial district and the northern part, where officials, artisans and traders lived. There was also an English colony in the city.
With the advent of Soviet power in the history of modern Donetsk there are some changes. In 1924 Yuzovka was renamed to Stalino. New enterprises, cultural institutions, schools were created, the population increased. The years of the Second World War were a black page in the history of Donbass. It was a destructive wave that swept through the city, almost completely destroyed and destroyed all the enterprises.
In 1961. Stalino was renamed Donetsk. The name of the city comes from the name of the river Seversky Donets. During the Soviet era in the region rapidly developed industry, education, scientific activity, transportation infrastructure.
For some 150 years a small industrial village Yuzovka has turned into a real metropolis. The residents of the city have something to be proud of and something to show to the guests. After all, the sights of Donetsk for many years attracted the attention not only of many tourists, but also of famous artists, writers and scientists. In the city there are about 260 monuments of history and culture, more than 100 museums, several theaters, regional philharmonic society. And Donetsk is also famous for its magnificent, picturesque and cozy parks. Its botanical garden is among the largest botanical gardens in Europe. This city can be rightfully attributed to the largest centers of culture and art of Ukraine.
Talking about the sights of Donetsk it is necessarily worth saying a few words about the Donbass Arena. The fifty-thousand-seat stadium fascinates and mesmerizes, it is really a masterpiece of sports architectural art.
But better rest in Donetsk and get acquainted with its sights will help you a variety of excursion bureaus, of which there are many in the city.