It is here — on the spacious steppe territories of the future Kirovograd region in the XV-XVI centuries Cossacks were born. But not only these places are notable, which is not known even by many Ukrainians — on the territory of Kirovograd region there have been preserved from unknown times amazing, mysterious sights, the origin of which is still unknown.
Back in ancient times on the picturesque steppes of the future Kirovograd region Scythians roamed. However, contrary to popular beliefs, there were on this land and not nomadic inhabitants, as evidenced by an amazing archaeological find — Monastery, found in Ustinov district, a hundred kilometers from Kirovograd. This is the most ancient pagan tract — a place where thousands of years ago lived Tripolites, which is called Kirovograd Stonehedge. The remains of the settlement, stone sculptures, sacrificial altars have survived through the millennia, and not only people interested in the mysteries of the past come to see them, but also mystics who claim that this place emanates amazing energy.
Kirovograd region is rich in beautiful natural places, one of them is the Cascades tract in Maloviskovsky district, southwest of the village of Zlynka. Here is one of the few natural waterfalls of the plain part of Ukraine. The rich flora of this place has preserved the plants included in the European Red List, the local fauna is no less valuable, endangered and rare species of animals live in the Cascades.
During the Middle Ages Pechenegs, Khazars, Ugrians, Huns, Tatar-Mongols and many other tribes roamed through Kirovograd region, and by the XVII century most of the territory was already controlled by Zaporozhye Cossacks — their winter camps were scattered all over the region.
Active development of the region began in the late XVIII century, since 1754 the territory of the future Kirovograd region became part of Novorossiya, a stronghold for the Russian Empire to defend its interests in these lands, in the same year began the foundation of Elisavetgrad with the creation of Fort St. Elizabeth. The fortifications that protected Novorossiya from the Turks have partially survived to our time in the form of ramparts, and the place where the garrisons were located is considered one of the main attractions of the administrative center of the region.
With the strengthening of the Russian influence, the town and the region grew and developed, Croatians, Serbs, Germans, Jews, and residents of many other countries and regions of Russia came here. Trade and industry were rapidly gaining momentum. From the middle of the XIX century to the beginning of the XX century Kirovograd region experienced a period of its prosperity.
In 1882 in Elisavetgrad I. Tobilevich and M. Krapivnitsky opened the first permanent professional theater in Ukraine. The fate of the famous playwright Tobilevich, the founder of the Ukrainian theater, was inextricably linked with Yelisavetgrad, near which in 1887 he purchased an estate. This estate — «Khutor Nadezhda», named in honor of the playwright’s wife, today became the state museum-reserve of I. Tobilevich. The house, the summer theater and the park with a pond have survived to this day in perfect condition and remind of the times when the Ukrainian countryside was a creative oasis.
The sights of Kirovograd region are interesting and diverse. Its administrative center, the city of Kirovograd — the former Yelisavetgrad renamed to its present name in 1939, has perfectly preserved the magnificent architecture of the XIX — early XX centuries, which can be admired while walking along the quiet streets of the province.
Tourists are attracted to Kirovograd region and such unique attractions as, for example, the Museum of Strategic Missile Forces, located on the border of the region with Mykolaiv, near the town of Pervomaysk. This is a former classified missile base, where today anyone can see samples of rocket engines and equipment, a model of nuclear warheads, the R-12 missile that played a key role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, the most powerful in our time missile RS-20, visit the underground command center.
Kirovograd region has something to surprise any tourist with different interests, probably, that is why every year more and more guests from Ukraine and different countries of the world come here.