Zaporizhzhya Sich (UA)
Khortytsya is the largest island in the River Dnieper: 12.5 kilometres long and up to 2.5 kilometres wide. The island forms part of the Khortytsya National Park. The Historical and Cultural Complex Zaporizhzhya Sich (Запорозька Січ), located in the north-east of the island of Khortytsya in Zaporizhzhya, is a reconstruction of the Cossack fortress of the 16th-18th centuries, recreating the image of the Cossack capital and the atmosphere of the time.
Despite the fact that there is no evidence for the existence of a Sich-fortress on the island Khortytsya, this picturesque town is harmoniously blended into the surrounding natural landscape, especially emphasizing the bright atmosphere of the time.
The Historical and Cultural Complex Zaporozhzhya Sich has become one collective image of all that existed in the days of the Cossack Sich. It brings together the most interesting elements of architecture, culture, life, and the life of the Zaporozhye Cossacks.
The complex is divided into two parts - the inner Kosh - the central part of the Sich, and the suburb, adjacent to the Kosh, where handicraft and shopping facilities are concentrated.
Around the complex defensive fortifications are built consisting of a deep ditch and fence in the form of a wooden palisade. Along the perimeter of the stockade we find three towers: the main entrance to the complex on the south side, a small tower on the eastern part of the Kosh, overlooking the Dnieper and the bell tower, which is on the border of the Kosh suburbs.
The main entrance to the complex will lead you into the inner Kosh. To the right of the entrance is a gunpowder house, on the left the Sich School. The central square of the Kosh is Maidan, the centre of this is the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin Sich. This is the most significant and tallest building of the camp. On the west side of the church there is a hut, Cossack house and the office. On the territory of the Kosh you can see the Cossack guns, wagons, and other household items and Cossack life.
You can visit the many rooms and see the interior and household items of those times. For example, the interior of the office of the military, the Cossack chieftain house, is open to the public showing traditional crafts of the Cossacks as well as fishing and agriculture. Stepping into one of the rooms, you immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Cossack times, and you can feel the presence of the spirit of history. The Cossack church leaves an unforgettable impression.
The second part of the Sich, the Suburb, consists of a small area on which you will find the Greek hut (hotel), tavern, smithy and pottery. Here you can see a lot of interesting activities and even take part in the life of the Cossack town.
Text sources: Ukrainetrek.com, Hortica.zp.ua
Photo, by Alexey Tolmachov - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43229790