Nikolaev is the administrative center of Nikolaev region, a city with a population of 500 thousand people. It is a major river and sea port, having rail, road and air connections with the interior of Ukraine.
Mykolaiv is a city of shipbuilders. Its appearance in the south of modern Ukrainian lands is connected with the Russian-Turkish war in 1787-1791. It was then that there was an urgent need to build Russian warships for the Black Sea Fleet. By order of the Governor-General of the Novorossiysk region G.A.Potemkin on July 21, 1788 in the mouth of the Ingul River was laid shipyard. Before that there were a blacksmith shop, a residential building of Zaporozhye people and a seasonal settlement of fishermen in this place. The city received its name on August 27, 1789 in honor of the capture of the Turkish fortress Ochakov by Russian troops in December 1788 on the day of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. The shipyard was built by special military construction teams under Colonel M.L.Faleyev. The general plan of the city, Admiralty projects and many merchant houses were designed by engineers I.I.Knyazev, I.V.Starov, P.V.Neelov and others.
The first ship launched in August 1790 was the 44-gun frigate «St. Nicholas», then the frigates «Grigory the Great», «Light», flagship «St. Paul» were built, the construction of the first wheeled steamships began.
By the middle of the XIX century Nikolaev became a major industrial center of the south of the country, the economic life of which was fully subordinated to the interests of shipbuilding. The industrial development of the city was accompanied by sharp class contradictions caused by cruel exploitation, corporal punishment, poor nutrition, oppression of officials. Many craftsmen and peasants could not endure the miserable life and fled from construction. Those who were caught were severely punished.
During the Crimean War of 1853-1856g.g.g. in Nikolaev accelerated the construction of defense industry enterprises, which produced cannon carriages, mortar machines, artillery shells, gunpowder.
Artillery batteries were installed on the approaches to the city from the sea, all suitable premises were converted into hospitals for the wounded of Sevastopol.
Further development of the city was promoted by the opening in 1862g. Nikolaev commercial port for foreign ships, customs and foreign consulates. Already at the end of the XIX century Nikolaev in the sale of grain ranks first in Russia. Foreign joint-stock companies appeared in the city, factories were enlarged, in particular, in 1907 the association «Naval» appeared. Today it is the largest enterprise of the city — Black Sea Shipyard. In Soviet times Nikolaev turned into a major industrial, business and cultural center of Ukraine. The city has three large shipyards and many other industrial enterprises providing the production of sea and river vessels. Higher educational institutions of Mykolaiv train specialists whose diplomas are recognized by many foreign countries. There are many cultural and recreational institutions in the city. These are theaters, and the regional philharmonic society, and a wide network of cinemas and libraries, and cultural and play complex «Children’s town «Skazka». The city has the oldest zoo in Ukraine, which in 1993 was accepted into the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The collection of the zoo has over 350 species of animals, many of which are listed in the International Red Book. Residents and visitors are always attracted by the city’s marina with its snow-white yachts and history. Wonderful recreation and entertainment is offered by the Aquapark «Aquarius» — a swimming pool that meets European standards. The city is rich in architectural sights, including the Museum of Shipbuilding and Fleet, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Officers’ Assembly, yacht club and many other buildings.
Nikolaev travel agencies will offer you unique tours and interesting excursions to the protected places of the city and region, will help you organize an unforgettable vacation on the Black Sea coast.