Khortytsia Island: a witness to the first settlements, ancient sanctuaries, Cossack battles and the formation of the Dnipro Reservoir

Q: Where did Prince Sviatoslav of Kievan Rus die?

According to legend, it was here, near the Dnipro rapids, that Prince Sviatoslav died in a battle with the Pechenegs. Research until 1941 confirmed that a major battle of the Kyivan Rus period took place here, and in 2011 a valuable ancient Russian sword was found at the bottom of the Dnipro, which was immediately called the ‘Sviatoslav's sword’.

Q: What is the schedule of the Zaporizhzhian Sich at Khortytsia?

- Wednesday - Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00 - Every last Wednesday of the month, people belonging to privileged categories can visit Sich for free.

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13 Oct. 2024

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Khortytsia Island: a witness to the first settlements, ancient sanctuaries, Cossack battles and the formation of the Dnipro Reservoir

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What do we know about Khortytsia?
Where does the name Khortytsia come from?
Why is Khortytsia a unique natural landmark?
Khortytsia through the millennia: the history of the island
What can you visit on Khortytsia?
How to get to Khortytsia Island?

Khortytsia Island: a witness to the first settlements, ancient sanctuaries, Cossack battles and the formation of the Dnipro Reservoir

The world-famous Ukrainian island of Khortytsia, where the first Zaporizhzhya Sich was founded, has been attracting tourists from all over Ukraine and the world for decades. This unique geographical and historical site has preserved the traditions of thousands of generations. Find out what secrets Khortytsia hides, what historical events it has witnessed, and why the island is called a natural monument that has no analogues

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Before the full-scale invasion, Khortytsia was visited by more than 100,000 tourists every year. Given the security situation, attendance has dropped slightly, but the island still attracts thousands of people every season. Situated in the middle of the Dnipro River, Khortytsia got its name from this place, and its convenient location made it a defensive point for Ukrainian defenders for centuries. The island is a witness and creator of history. Read the article to find out what kind of history, what is known and what can be seen on Khortytsia.

What do we know about Khortytsia?

Khortytsia is the largest island on the Dnipro River, officially located in the Voznesenivskyi district of Zaporizhzhia region (downstream of the Dnipro hydroelectric power station). The area of the island is over 23 square metres, and its highest point is 30 metres. Khortytsia is officially considered one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine and is a unique natural and historical complex.

The world-famous Dnipro rapids descend to Khortytsia, the last of which is located in the northern part of the island. Only the bravest and most skilful Cossacks could serve as sternmen on the Dnipro rapids, as it is extremely difficult to sail a boat through whirlpools, drifts and pitfalls. Each Dnipro rapids had its own name, which was passed down by word of mouth, along with the specifics of boat management in these areas.

The southern part of the island is home to the famous Dnipro floodplains, a unique natural site consisting of many islands, which are randomly interconnected by canals and straits. A real water maze! Unfortunately, the area of the floodplains has shrunk significantly since the construction of the Dnipro hydroelectric power station - the islands with unique flora and fauna have simply gone underwater.

We mentionedmore picturesque islands of Ukraine available for visiting at any time of the year in one of our previous articles.

Where does the name Khortytsia come from?

There are currently two theories about the origin of the island's name. According to the first one, the name comes from the Turkish word ‘ort’ - the middle (the island is located in the middle of the Dnipro). According to another version, the island was named in honour of the ancient Slavic god Khors, who took on the form of a large dog (greyhound).

However, Khortytsia has not always been Khortytsia. The first historical mention of the island is the work of Emperor Constantine the Crimson-born ‘On the Management of the Empire’. At the moment, several copies (lists) of the work have survived, where the island is named after St Gregory or St George.

In the chronicles of Kyivan Rus and later, we find the following names: Khortych, Kortytskyi, Horodetskyi, Ortynskyi, Intrskyi island. The name ‘Khortychy Island’ was first mentioned in 1103, when Prince Sviatoslav Izyaslavovych set out on a campaign against the Polovtsians.

The name of the island from the 13th century (we are talking about the name ‘Varangian Island’) was lost somewhere in the vicissitudes of history, because the famous French military engineer and explorer Guillaume de Boplan in the 16th century again speaks of ‘Khortytsia’. So there were many variations on the name of the island in historical documents. Some even argued that ‘Khortytsia’ came from ‘sickly’, but the scientific community did not support this opinion.

Why is Khortytsia a unique natural landmark?

Khortytsia is part of the Ukrainian Crystal Shield, which covers a huge area. It is the only part of the Dnipro River where the formations typical of rapids have been preserved. The legendary Cossack rapids were flooded as a result of the construction of the Dnipro hydroelectric power station. In 1974, Khortytsia and the adjacent water areas became part of the Dnipro Rapids geological reserve of national importance in Ukraine.

The rocks of Khortytsia are about 2.5 billion years old and are based on granite. In the north (where the rock formations characteristic of rapids are present), the cliffs reach 40-50 m in height, but slowly descend towards the south.

Khortytsia through the millennia: the history of the island

The earliest settlements here were about 12,000 years ago, and the remains of them were found by scientists in the village of Serednyi Stih and the Vyrva tract. Later, similar finds were made in the Durna Skelya and Solovka Gai tracts in the north of the island. Some of the monuments were raised from the bottom of the Old Dnipro, a tributary of Ukraine's largest river.

During the excavations, a powerful fortress with several rows of walls and ditches and pagan sanctuaries were found here. Scientists believe that astronomical observations were made here.

According to legend, it was here, near the Dniester rapids, that Prince Sviatoslav died in a battle with the Pechenegs. Research until 1941 confirmed that a major battle of the Kyivan Rus period took place here, and in 2011 a valuable ancient Russian sword was found at the bottom of the Dnipro, which was immediately called the ‘Sviatoslav's sword’.

In the 16th century, the island became a stronghold of the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. There are still many names left over from that time: the Sahaidachny tract, Sich gate, Owl Rock, Cossack grave, etc. It was on one of the nearby islands that the first Zaporizhzhian Sich was built, which became a symbol of the struggle of the Ukrainian people against the oppressors.

The Khortytsia National Reserve began its work after the outbreak of the war in April 2024. Follow the link to find out more about the event.

What can you visit on Khortytsia?

1. Zaporizhzhia Sich

The location is based on the first Khortytsia Sich, founded by Dmytro Vyshnevetskyi. However, the construction of the modern Sich combined the construction of all eight Sichs that once existed on the territory of Ukraine.

The Sich consists of two parts - the Small Kish (a commercial and craft suburb) and the Big Kish (a military Cossack garrison).

We can also find fortification elements here, such as a moat, a palisade, and defensive towers.

The inner space of the town also conveys the spirit of the Cossack era: Cossack huts, a Greek house, a smithy, a pottery, and a tavern.

Everything is built in the form of expositions based on historical data.

Opening hours:

- Wed - Sun from 9:00 to 17:00

- Every last Wednesday of the month, people belonging to privileged categories can visit Sich for free.

2. Sanctuaries

As already reported, people have lived on Khortytsia since ancient times. The remains of temples and sanctuaries have been preserved here, which take you back thousands of years and are amazing.

The most interesting are the complex of cromlechs of the Eneolithic period, the sanctuary-observatory, the sanctuary of the Bronze Age, the Karakayka sanctuary, and the complex of the pit culture (excavations continue to this day).

3. Khortytsia labyrinth

The Khortytskyi Labyrinth is a unique garden and park area that impresses not only with its diversity of flora. There are also historical sites here - a Bronze Age sanctuary, the Kanfarka height (Scythian heritage), the cemetery of the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks (not confirmed, research is underway), a cemetery and redoubts from the Russian-Turkish war of 1735-1739.

4. Museum space

The observation deck on the Sich offers magnificent views of the Dnipro River and the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station. Various events are often held here, including those of national importance.

Tourists should visit the Hill of Unity, where the Circle of Unity is installed - a symbol of the Sun and unity for the future.

How to get to Khortytsia Island?

The island is located in the city of Zaporizhzhia, so you can get there either by public or private transport via the Preobrazhenskyi Bridge or the Arched Bridge.

From the railway station No. 1 in Zaporizhzhia, the island is reached by bus No. 55.

From Zaporizhzhia Railway Station No. 2, routes No. 39 and No. 92 run to the island.

Find the current busschedule and buy bus or train tickets to Zaporizhzhia here.

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Photo: TSN

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Table of contents

What do we know about Khortytsia?

Where does the name Khortytsia come from?

Why is Khortytsia a unique natural landmark?

Khortytsia through the millennia: the history of the island

What can you visit on Khortytsia?

1. Zaporizhzhia Sich

Opening hours:

2. Sanctuaries

3. Khortytsia labyrinth

4. Museum space

How to get to Khortytsia Island?

Frequantly

asked questions

How many tourists visit Khortytsia?

Where is Khortytsia Island located?

Where does the name of Khortytsia Island come from?

Where did Prince Sviatoslav of Kievan Rus die?

What is the schedule of the Zaporizhzhian Sich at Khortytsia?

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