Fans of the picturesque Polessky forest and plain nature are invited to a fascinating journey through Zhytomyr region. This ancient land is always beautiful, but it is especially attractive in summer, when its fields are covered with lush golden ears, blue-green carpet of long-fiber flax, and in the forests ripen delicious aromatic forest berries and many mushrooms. The mild temperate climate, flat terrain, many clean rivers and crystal lakes create perfect conditions for a good vacation. The river valleys of some rivers of Zhytomyr Polesie (Uzh, Sluch, Ubort, Irsha, etc.) are deeply cut into the rocks of the Ukrainian Shield and in some parts have a narrow canyon-like shape with steep rocky slopes up to 25-30 meters high. These rivers are characterized by a fast flow, the presence of rolls and rapids in some sections. The beauty and richness of the Polesie nature attracts many lovers of tourism, traveling, fishing and quiet mushroom hunting every year.
Archaeological studies show that the territory of modern Zhytomyr region was inhabited already in the early Paleolithic era (more than 100 thousand years ago). The oldest sites of primitive man were found on the banks of the rivers Svinoluzhka and Teterev and near Radomyshl. Archaeologists have also found monuments from the Copper, Bronze and Early Iron Ages. At the end of the 1st millennium A.D. the territory of the region was inhabited by ancient East Slavic tribes — Drevlyans and Polans, who were engaged in farming, cattle breeding, beekeeping, trade and production of jewelry.
The first cities on the territory of the region appeared in the IX century — these are Vruchy (Ovruch) and Iskorosten (Korosten). These towns became centers of crafts and trade, windmills were built here. Iskorosten was the residence of the princes of the Drevlyan land. The Drevlyan princedom was among the first to become a part of the Old Russian East Slavic state Kievan Rus. Together with Prince Oleg of Kiev, the Drevlyans took part in the campaign against Byzantium.
From the second half of the XII century the region belonged to the Vladimir-Volyn, and from the end of the XII century — to the Galicia-Volyn principality. Like other Slavic lands, in the first half of the XIII century Zhytomyr region fell under the oppression of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. Since 1362 this territory was ruled by Lithuanian feudal lords. The unification of Lithuania and Poland into a single state of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569 (the Union of Lublin) led to new enslavers — the Volyn lands fell under the power of Polish pans. After joining Russia in 1793 the territory of the region became a part of Volyn province. Social inequality and cruel exploitation by the enslavers led to mass peasant uprisings. The people of Zhytomyr region took part in the Nalivaiko uprising of 1594-96, in the liberation war of 1648-54 (Hetman B. Khmelnitsky’s troops included four Cossack regiments formed in Zhytomyr region), Volynians were active participants of the Koliyivshchina of 1768.
Modern Zhytomyr region was formed on 22.09.1937. The area of the region is 29.9 thousand square kilometers, which is larger than the area of such countries as Armenia, Albania, Israel and others. The northern part of the region is located in the Polesie zone, the southern part — within the borders of the forest-steppe. The north of Zhytomyr region is occupied by the Slovechansko-Ovruchsky ridge formed from Precambrian quartzites. The climate is moderately continental. There are 221 rivers with a total length of 5366 kilometers flowing through the territory of the region. There are also many large lakes, in particular, Black, Kupye, Ozerianskoe, Duzhe and others. Zhytomyr region occupies a favorable geographical position and has a convenient transport connection with the cities of Ukraine, as well as with the countries of Eastern and Central Europe. Zhytomyr region gave the world the poetess L. Ukrainka, writers V. Korolenko, D. Konrad, M. Rylsky, public figure I. Ogienko, academician S. Korolev, pianist S. Richter, composer B. Rylsky. Richter, composer B. Lyatoshinsky. Many famous personalities, including writers M. Kotsyubinsky, A. Kuprin, playwright I. Kocherga, film director A. Dovzhenko, composers V. Kosenko and M. Skorulsky lived and created in Zhytomyr region.
Far beyond the borders of the region and Ukraine are known collectives of the song and dance ensemble «Lenok», choral chapel «Oreya», Polessky ensemble of the national rite «Rodoslav», children’s dance ensemble «Solnyshko» and other professional and amateur groups. Among the sights of Zhytomyr region it is necessary to mention the monastery of Barefoot Carmelites of the beginning of XVIII century in Berdichev, Transfiguration Cathedral, St. Sophia Church, St. Michael’s Church in Zhytomyr, St. Basil’s Church in Ovruch, the oldest wooden Vozdvizhenskaya Church in Kamenny Brod village, Lesya Ukrainka Literary Memorial Museum in Novgorod-Volynsky and other cultural monuments. And, of course, the main attraction of this region is its picturesque nature, rich in fauna and flora. Especially unusual and mysterious is the vegetation of the Slovechansko-Ovrutsky ridge. Visiting this area, you will get acquainted with the lush thickets of Pontic azalea — a relic of the Tertiary period, the same age as mammoths. This island of unusual for this area plant is located near the village Gorodnya. In the area of Chervonka village there are thickets of rock oak, and near the village of Gorodets there is a black birch tree, unusual for these places. The geographer academician P.A. Tutkovsky characterized the peculiarity of this region with the words: «the accumulation of natural wonders resembles in miniature the famous Yellowstone Park».
In general, come and get acquainted with the nature, sights and glorious people of this region. Unforgettable impressions are waiting for you.