The city of Zhytomyr is one of the oldest historical and cultural cities of Ukraine. Every year, every second Saturday in September, its residents celebrate the City Day. On September 11, 2010 Zhytomyr turns 1126 years old. Currently, it is home to 271348 people, its territory is 6.5 thousand hectares. The natural conditions of the area where the city is located are unique: five rivers flow through it, it is surrounded by ancient forests, in the suburbs on the banks of Teterevskoye water reservoir there is a hydropark.
The territory, where the modern Zhytomyr is located, was inhabited in the II millennium BC by primitive people, as evidenced by the results of archaeological research. There are several versions about the founding of the city and the origin of its name. According to one of them, it was founded by Zhitomir, a vigilante of the Kiev princes Askold and Dir. He refused to serve Prince Oleg, so in 882 he left Kiev and headed to the west of Kievan Rus. On a high rock among dense forests at the confluence of the rivers Kamenka and Teterev Zhitomir in 884 built a wooden fortress, which over time grew with buildings, gradually turning into a city. Many historians believe that the future city of Zhitomir was the center of the settlement of the tribe of Zhitichi, which was part of the union of the Drevlyans. Therefore, scientists claim that the name of the city comes from the Ukrainian word «zhito» — rye grown by the inhabitants of this area.
Since 945, the lands of the allied tribes of Drevlyans, Zhitichi and Polans were part of Kievan Rus. During its history Zhytomyr lay in ruins many times and was reborn from the ashes again. For the first time the city was attacked by the hordes of Batu Khan in 1240. The cruel Tatar-Mongol conquerors completely ruined and destroyed Zhytomyr, and its inhabitants were enslaved or killed. To protect themselves from enemies, the city dwellers built defensive structures with underground passages and courageously defended themselves. In the XIV century the city was repeatedly raided by nomads. In 1320 the city was captured by Lithuanian princes, and in 1399 the Khan of the Golden Horde Edigei defeated the army of the Lithuanian prince Vitovt and destroyed the city of Zhitomir. But, like a fairy-tale bird Phoenix, the city was restored again and again, grew, developed crafts and trade. By the middle of the XV century Zhytomyr was one of the 15 largest cities of the Polish-Lithuanian state, received the Magdeburg law and created its own self-government bodies.
In 1469 the city was raided by Crimean Tatars, «… without measure did much evil», and in 1482 the hordes of Khan Mengli-Girey completely destroyed Zhytomyr. In the XVI century Zhytomyr castle was rebuilt and fortified, the fortress walls were surrounded by a defensive moat filled with water. Historian G.G. Sinyakov in his work «Zhitomir. Historical and Architectural Sketch» described the underground constructions of the castle as follows: «The granite rock, on which the castle stood, made it difficult to build the passages, but nevertheless they were carried out under the castle and went far beyond its perdelas…». Most of the passages … had stone walls, in some places the passages widened and formed rooms of considerable size with exhaust pipes. A part of these underground constructions has survived to our days.»
After the Union of Lublin in 1569 Zhitomir was under the rule of Polish magnates, who cruelly exploited the townspeople and peasants. These oppressions caused an uprising of the people led by Severin Nalyvayko in 1594-96. The townspeople were not left out of the war of liberation of the Ukrainian people against the Polish nobility under the leadership of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.
In June 1804, by decree of the tsar Zhytomyr was officially approved as the administrative center of Volyn province. In this small city at different times stayed famous historical figures. In 1802-1809 the Russian commander M.I. Kutuzov came to Zhitomir; since September 1912 the hero of the war of 1812 P.I. Bagration lived there. In 1846, as a member of the Provisional Commission for the review of ancient acts, T.H. Shevchenko visited Zhytomyr, outstanding actors M.S. Schepkin, V.N. Davydov, G.N. Fedotova, composer Rubinstein A.G.
The theater was performed by the outstanding actors M.S. Schepkin, V.N. Davydov, G.N. Fedotova, composer A.G. Rubinstein.
With the development of capitalist relations, opened a new page in the history of Zhitomir, the city gradually turned into an industrial and commercial center, developed sugar and distillery industry, porcelain and faience production, built a railroad to Berdychev. In the thirties of the XIX century in Zhitomir built the 1st Volyn iron foundry and mechanical plant «Selmash», created hosiery, paint, confectionery, pasta factory and many other industrial enterprises. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War 62 enterprises worked in the city, 29 medical institutions operated, the theater, philharmonic, cinemas and clubs.
In the first hours of the war, the city was bambardized by Hitler’s aviation, and on July 9, 1941 the Nazis occupied the city. In the stationary death camp Hitlerites shot prisoners of war, sick and wounded, civilians.
65 thousand prisoners of war and 45 thousand civilians were buried in mass graves at the eighth kilometer of Novgorod-Volyn highway. During the period of occupation in the city fascists destroyed almost all industrial enterprises, destroyed educational institutions, hospitals, hundreds of residential houses. The city was liberated from the Nazis on December 31, 1943.
Modern Zhytomyr is a major industrial, cultural and scientific and technical center of Polesie. The city’s enterprises produce metal structures, electronic devices, glass, chemical fiber, fabrics and much more.
The sights of Zhytomyr are the only museum of cosmonautics in Ukraine, Catholic Cathedral Church of St. Sophia, Jesuit Monastery and Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, Monument of Glory, Korolenko V.G. Museum and other historical cultural monuments.
The city always welcomes its guests, so vacation in Zhytomyr will give you an unforgettable experience
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