The history of development of modern Zaporizhzhya begins in 1770 with the appearance in the area of Khortitsa fortress Alexandrovskaya, named in honor of the Russian general Alexander Golitsyn. After the liquidation of the Zaporizhian Sich in 1775, free Cossacks, builders — peasants, retired soldiers began to settle around the fortress. The military settlement gradually developed, the population increased, which was mainly engaged in farming, cattle breeding and fishing. The empty lands around the fortress were settled by German colonists.
In 1785, together with the estate, Alexandrovsk fortress received the status of a settlement of urban type and the permission to open urban municipal institutions. At the end of the 18th century Aleksandrovsk became a significant
trade and transport center of the southeast, but its population grows slowly. The change in the direction of trade routes in this region leads to a decline in the development of crafts and trade in the town. Nevertheless, in 1806 Aleksandrovsk receives the status of a district town of Yekaterinoslav Province.
In the first half of the 19th century Alexandrovsk — a provincial town, whose industry was represented by several small factories, and its inhabitants were engaged in farming, trades and trade in agricultural products.
The construction of the Lozovo-Sevastopol railroad through the town (1869 — 1875) served as an impetus to the development of the economy of Aleksandrovsk: new industrial enterprises of agricultural engineering were built in the region, the flour-milling industry developed, the town gradually turned into a major transit point for grain transportation. At the beginning of the 20th century, 47 different plants and factories operated in Aleksandrovsk, a water supply system and a power station were built.
During the First World War in the city from the front-line territories were evacuated auto repair shops from Warsaw, aircraft engine factory from St. Petersburg and other enterprises, many refugees arrived here. During 1917 — 1921 the power in Aleksandrovsk changed several times and finally passed to the Bolsheviks. On March 23, 1921 the city was renamed Zaporozhye. For two pre-war decades the city turned into a large industrial center of Ukraine. In 1932, the Dnieper hydroelectric power plant came into operation, a plant of sheet steel («Zaporizhstal»), a plant of tool steel («Dneprospetsstal») were built, the city became a center for the production of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
The Great Patriotic War left a heavy trace in the history of Zaporizhzhya. The Dnieper dam was blown up, many factories were dismantled and evacuated to the east of the USSR together with the working staff. From October 1941 to December 1943 the occupation of the city by German troops continued. During this time 44 thousand civilians and prisoners of war died, many civil and industrial buildings were destroyed.
During the post-war decades Zaporizhzhya industrial complex was restored and further developed: the city eliminated the destruction, all plants and factories resumed their work, new branches of industrial industry were created, Zaporizhzhya State District Power Plant and Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant were built.
The modern city is a large industrial, scientific and cultural center of Ukraine. The main share of the industry is made up of machine building, metallurgy, chemical and food industries. Modern production technology and equipment for these enterprises are developed by many research institutes and design institutes. Over 45 thousand students study in 17 higher and 16 secondary vocational-technical institutions. There are two philharmonics, the State Circus, six theaters, many museums, more than a dozen palaces of culture, international and all-Ukrainian festivals are regularly held in the city.
Zaporizhzhya is rich in historical and cultural sights. The guests of the city are invariably attracted by the National Reserve «Khortytsa», the museum of arms, which has about four thousand exhibits, a rich museum of local lore. The Zaporizhian Sich, all the buildings of which are made in accordance with Cossack traditions, is very popular among tourists. The Dnieper Hydroelectric Power Plant is considered to be a symbol of industrial construction. Among the religious buildings stands out the Holy Intercession Cathedral. «Lovers’ Clock», Magara Theater, the central park of culture and recreation, Baida Island and many other attractions invariably attract the attention of guests of the city. Tourist organizations provide you with full information about tourist routes of Zaporizhzhya region.
Travel to the Cossack places!