Tourist attractions in central Ukraine include the "Ukrainian Maldives" and even pyramids

How to surprise foreign guests to Poltava region? If you have a car and are not afraid of traveling 100-200 km, we suggest visiting places that are far apart but worth seeing.

Ukrainian Pyramids

Currently, there are three pyramids known in Europe, and two of them are located in Poltava region in villages Berezova Rudka (Piryatyn district) and Komendantivka (Kobelyaky district).

The Berezova Rudka pyramid is an ancestral burial pyramid of the Zakrevsky family. It was built by Hnat Zakrevsky, who served under Emperor Alexander III and was a diplomat and member of the Masonic Lodge. Inspired by the pyramids and Egyptian culture during his visit to Egypt, Zakrevsky constructed this pyramid as a family burial vault. The pyramid, although neglected and in a state of disrepair, can still be accessed, and its entrance is adorned with a stone Orthodox cross and a statue of the goddess Isis. 

The Komendantivka pyramid was built by Oleksandr Bilevych, a naval officer. Influenced by his visit to Egypt, Bilevych decided to construct a pyramid as a family burial site. The construction took 13 years, and the height of the ancestral tomb is 15 meters. The pyramid consists of three burial chambers connected by underground passages. Initially, the pyramid served as a storage facility for fertilizers, but later a church was built nearby, altering its appearance. Currently, the pyramid stands in the churchyard, and although tourists are not allowed inside, they are free to take pictures from the outside.

"Ukrainian Maldives": Mount Pivikha in Gradizk

Pivikha is one of the most picturesque places in Poltava region, located in Kremenchuk district. The height of the hill is 168 meters. People come here to see the highest point of the left bank of Ukraine, admire the landscapes, and swim in the waters of the Kremenchuk reservoir, which is sometimes referred to as the sea.

Visitors to Pivikha often stay in tents and spend weekends camping in the nearby forest close to the water. Excursions to the mountain have also been organized in the past. The location is popular for photo shoots, and it is often referred to as the "Ukrainian Maldives."

Currently, access to Pivikha is limited, and tourists are advised to relax on the beach in Gradizk, while climbing the mountain is allowed, camping or staying overnight is prohibited.

Myrhorod - the most popular resort in Poltava region

Myrhorod is a cozy resort town where visitors can go for rest and relaxation or simply spend a weekend getaway. The town is home to seven sanatoriums, mostly located along the Khortytsia River, with well-groomed park areas and a waterfront promenade where a beach operates during the summer.

The resort area is open not only to those who have purchased package tours but also to tourists in general.

In the heart of the city, you will find the "Myrhorod puddle," a small pond mentioned by the famous Ukrainian writer Nikolai Gogol.

By the way, as soon as you arrive at the Myrhorod train station, you will immediately see a statue of Gogol located right there.

Another notable monument, the Memorial to the Victims of the Holodomor (the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide), is also situated at the train station.

Opishnia - the capital of Ukrainian pottery

Opishnia is famous for its pottery. Many pottery dynasties live and work in this town. There are numerous museums that cannot be visited all in one day, so it is advisable to plan an overnight stay in Opishnia. There are plenty of small hotels catering to various tastes, from traditional ethnic-style to modern accommodations.

Tourists always make a point of visiting the largest pottery museum in Europe, where the territory itself with its sculptures is already an interesting location, not to mention the exhibits and collections. In Opishnia, visitors can even learn pottery and create their own clay masterpiece as a keepsake. Both adults and children enjoy this activity.

Opishnia is also home to a watchtower that offers incredible panoramic views of the picturesque landscapes.

Helon Bilske Fortress

Bilske Fortress in Kotovelsky district is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. With an area of over 5,000 hectares, it is said to be the largest hillfort of the Early Iron Age in Eastern Europe.

Helon was a legendary large city of the 6th-5th centuries BC, located in the lands of the Budyny tribe, whose main population consisted of Helonians, descendants of ancient Greek settlers from the Northern Black Sea region. The most likely archaeological correlate of Helon is considered to be the Bilske Hillfort on the Vorskla River. The ancient historian Herodotus mentioned the city briefly in his "Histories."

Tourists come here to see the earthen ramparts and try their hand at archaeology during excavations. Professional archaeologists occasionally discover valuable artifacts in Bilske Hillfort.

The Longest Wooden Bridge in Ukraine in Kaplyntsi

In Piriatyn district, in the village of Kaplyntsi, there is a preserved wooden bridge in its original form spanning the Uday River. It is 356 meters long. The bridge was built at the end of the 19th century and has likely never been repaired since then. Local residents walk on the bridge daily, but for tourists, it is an extraordinary attraction that they cautiously tread upon.

Considering the growing interest in this bridge, a hotel has been established in Kaplyntsi for tourists. So, there is a place to spend the night and take picturesque photos.

Please note that when planning a trip, it is advisable to check for the latest news, particularly on museum websites and local council sites, to see if there are any restrictions on visiting these locations due to the ongoing war.