If you want to relax, gain strength, enjoy the gifts of nature and improve your health, do not hurry to go abroad. Beautiful rest among fragrant pine forests and shady oak trees, hiking for mushrooms and berries, swimming in clear quiet rivers and lakes, taking air baths on cozy sandy beaches, fishing, healing mineral waters — all this is possible by visiting the north-east of Ukraine — Kharkiv region.
This rich and beautiful region served as an inspiration for many Ukrainian and Russian writers, poets, artists. The outstanding philosopher and poet G.S. Skovoroda liked to relax in Babaevsky forests, descriptions of which can be found in his works. For the famous Ukrainian artist S.I. Vasilkovsky the marvelous landscapes of Kharkiv region were a source of inspiration. Unforgettable Kharkov nature attracted such famous artists as: I.I. Sokolov, P.A. Levchenko, M.A. Berkos and I.E. Repin. And it is not surprising.
Earlier in the distant VII-X century this part of Ukraine interested the Khazar Khaganate, in the composition of which it was accepted. Since the middle of the XVII century the area began to be massively populated, the first settlements and towns were built. In 1654 was founded Kharkiv, now one of the largest cities of Kharkiv region or, as they call it, Slobozhanshchina. The favorable geographical position, rich raw material resources contributed to the development of trade, industry and economy.
Now the region has almost all the industries available in Ukraine. Machine building, metal working, chemical, fuel and energy, light, food industry, glass, porcelain and faience production, eyeglass optics are widely developed in the region. Izyum, Lozovaya, Kupyansk, Chuguev, Balakleya, Zmiev are considered to be large cities.
But numerous tourists are attracted first of all by the unforgettable beauty and richness of nature. Vast areas of pine and deciduous forests, plantations, rivers, lakes, reservoirs were the reason for the construction of numerous recreation centers, children’s camps and health resorts. There are as mushrooms after rain in Kharkiv region. Not far from Kharkov there are wonderful health resorts: «Kharkov» and «Yuzhny». On the bank of the Seversky Donets, the main water artery of the region, you can spend an unforgettable time in the recreation centers «Korobov Khutor» and «Seversky Donets», and in the pine forests of Volchanskiy district «lurks» recreation center «Verkhne-Pisarevsky». The village of Peresechnoye is rich in healing mineral springs, and people from all over the former Soviet Union come here to the health resort «Berezovskie Mineralnye Vody» for treatment and rest.
Fans of natural monuments will like to visit Sharovsky park near Bogodukhov. This miracle of garden and park architecture of the XIX century is located on 40 hectares on the slopes of the gully, which divides the surrounding park, a natural forest, into two slopes: the southern — conifers and the northern — oak trees. Here you can admire the giant oaks, which are 150-300 years old, mahonia, Amur velvet and wander into the thickets of Virginia juniper. In the center of the park there is a castle-palace, which is currently one of the best health resorts in Ukraine. On the lands of Velikoburlutsky district on the territory of 326 hectares there is one more natural attraction — Burlutsky reserve, created in 1977. It is home to a number of rare and endangered species of animals, such as: marmot, steppe ferret, marmot, badger, field harrier.
Many people are attracted by the bird’s eye view of the sights. If you are among them, you will be interested in geological and historical monument — Kremenets Mountain, which is the highest place in Kharkiv region — 218 meters above sea level. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city of Izium, surrounded by Donets, Izium, Bukin, Svyatogorsky forests, and in good weather you can even see the Svyatogorsky monastery. Kremenets Mountain got its name thanks to its first inhabitants in the XIV century, the Tatar fortification «Kermen». The mountain remembers not only the construction of the «small town» in 1681: in some places there are preserved fortresses, ramparts and moat, but also the Great Patriotic War, and a memorial was erected to the 40th anniversary of the victory.
Kharkiv region attracts and numerous historical monuments. In the city of Izium you can visit St. Nicholas Church of the XIX century; admirers of G.S. Skovoroda will be interested in a tour of the memorial complex of this Ukrainian writer-enlightener. Pokrovsky Cathedral of 1689, The Cathedral of the Assumption of 1657, Catherine Palace of the XVIII century, the art and memorial museum of I.Yu. Repin’s Art and Memorial Museum will not leave you indifferent and will remain in your memory for a long time.
Discover the beauty and richness of Slobozhanshchina and you will get a real pleasure.