Citadel of the Baturyn Fortress

The history of the city begins with the erection of the Baturyn fortress in the early 17th century. In the valley of the river Seim, the Baturin Citadel was the last stronghold and the most fortified part of the fortress. Since 1669 the Citadel of the Baturyn fortress was a representation of the great leaders of the Ukrainian nation & ndash; Demjan Mnogogreshnogo, Ivan Samoilovich, Ivan Mazepa and Cyril Rozumovsky. Now, however, the Citadel of the Baturyn Fortress & raquo; & ndash; it is a cultural composition that is part of the National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve & the Hetman's Capital.

In 2009, the reconstruction of the Citadel of the Baturyn Fortress was completed. Although the beginning of the construction of the Citadel is dated to the 17th century, in its place archaeologists have discovered earthworks, which are over 900 years old. In the late 17th - early 18th centuries the Citadel of the Baturyn fortress had an earthen bastion system, was surrounded by a wooden palisade and a moat. Its walls and towers were erected from oak wood and smeared with clay. This design increased the strength of the Citadel and reduced its destructibility, especially in cannon fights.

There are 39 objects of historical significance on its territory. Among them the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, the Hetman's House and the Treasury deserve special attention. The church was the main wooden hetman temple. In it are the remains of the heroes of the Battle of Baturyn. In November 2008 the church was consecrated on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Baturyn tragedy. Now it can light a candle and pray for the repose of souls of Baturin warriors. The hetman's house, located in the center of the Citadel, was recreated in a manner similar to that of the time. It served as the official residence and the government office of the hetman. Treasury & ndash; this is the hetman's treasury, which is currently being reconstructed. Later, it plans to open an exhibition of coins, starting from the first princely hryvnia. Being in Baturin, visit the observation deck of the gate tower. It offers a beautiful view of the valley of the Seim River.

Baturin Park is outside the Citadel. One of its main attractions is the Memorial Cross to the victims of the Baturyn tragedy. The story tells, when hetman Ivan Mazepa went over to the Swedes, the tsar of the Russian Empire Peter I ordered to destroy Baturin. The army under the command of General Alexander Menshikov in 1708 seized the fortress and killed all around the city. The Memorable Cross was found during the excavations and installed in 2004, marking the beginning of the restoration of the Citadel of the Baturyn Fortress. Also in the Baturin Park is the palace of Hetman Kirill Razumovsky, the Resurrection Church, the house of the general judge Vasily Kochubey, many monuments and squares dedicated to the events and great figures of Baturin and Ukraine.

Everyone who is interested in the architecture of the Middle Ages should visit Baturin and Khotyn fortress.

In the National Historical and Cultural Reserve & the Hetman's capital & raquo; regular weekend tours are arranged. Baturin is located in Bakhmachsky district, Chernigov region on Hetman street No. 74. It is easiest to get to the city from Kiev or Chernigov.