Dnepropetrovsk (Ukrainian Dnipropetrovsk) used to be a “closed city” during the Soviet era. What this means is that “outsiders” were not allowed into the city because the city was the manufacturing and technology center for many military and government secrets. People tell me that US nuclear weapons were not pointed at Moscow as a first strike but at Dnipropetrovsk. Apparently, rockets and other technologies used in the production of nuclear missles were made here.
Today, Dnepropetrosk is still a manufactuing hub. I have been in Dnepropetrovsk a few times because I have friends here. The people that I met are friendly and helpful. There are many pleasant sites here, and the weather is not too cold or hot (January avgerages: 30 F high, 20 F low, July 83 F and 63F). Some younger people speak English, but most people do not speak or understand English. Therefore, it is difficult to communicate here if you do not know Russian or Ukrainian. According to locals, there are no medical facilities where the staff understand English, so keep that in mind. Also, it is not safe to drink the tapwater, so make sure to buy bottled water. Be very wary of traffic; people do not slow down for pedestrians - - even when pedestrians are in a cross-walk and there is a walk signal.
Dnepropetrovsk is a city of contrasts: there are professionals working as engineers and IT professionals as well as transients who wander from dumpster to dumpster looking for food and other items. People line up on the corner to take the buses (called Marshrutkas) while others speed by in their Mercedes or BMWs; the health club is busy in the morning and at night people are downing vodka and fattening foods. Hard working street cleaners barely eek out a living (I’m told $200 per month) yet for a small country Ukraine surprisingly has people on the list of “richest people”.
Some of the fiercest fighting in World War II occurrred in Ukraine. Much of Dnepropetrovsk was destroyed during World War II, so many historical buildings are lost to the ages. The information below is a summary of the sites and activities I enjoyed while I was here. I was not allowed to take pictures inside churches. Therefore, some of the pictures in this blog were obtained from WikiMediaCommons at www.commons.wikimedia.org; I have cited the author on each picture.
- Lenina Boarkwalk – A long boardwalk next to the Dneiper River that runs between the downtown and Shevchenko Park.
- Shevchenko Park – the largest park in Dnepropetrovsk that is adjacent to the Dneiper River. People enjoy strolling, picnicking, playing sports and games, and children enjoy amusement rides.
- Monastyrsky Island – Connected to Shevchenko Park by a bridge, it is the site of the St. Nickolay Church, sculptures, statues and gardens.
- Globa Park – An inner city park that offers visitors a place to stroll, play games, enjoy amusement rides and relax.
- Lenin Park – Not too far from Globa Park, children can enjoy the playground equipement and it is lit up by an enormous display of lights during the New Year and Christmas season.
- The Transfiguration Cathedral – Planned during the reign of Catherine the Great of Russia, this was inteneded to be one of the largest Orthodox churches in greater Russia.
- Museum of History and the Diorama displaying the Battle for the Dnieper River – interesting museum of the history of Denpropetrovsk, including its role in the evacuation of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station, Russian Revolution, and the mighty Cossacks.
- Potemkin Palace at Shevchenko Park
- 'Gorky' Theatre of Russian Drama
- “Soviet Block” Architecture – much of the city was rebuilt after World War II in simple, concrete structures. Although often referred to in a slightly amused manner, it’s amazing that people were able to move into homes so quickly after WWII as the result of this massive public works project.
