Kirovograd history
Kirovograd was founded as a St. Elizabeth’s fortress in 1754 for defending the southern borders of Ukraine from Turks and Crimean Tatars. In 1775 Kirovograd was made a city of Yelizavetgrad and later the city became an administrative center of New Serbiya and developed as the center of a rich agricultural area.
In 1918 the armed rising guided by bolsheviks took place in Yelizavetgrad and Soviet power was established in the city. Yelizavetgrad was renamed Zinovyevsk in 1924, Kirovo in 1936 and Kirovograd in 1939.
Kirovograd retains its function as an agricultural city. In addition to food-processing industries, Kirovograd has one of the most important agricultural-machinery works in Ukraine. There are also machine-building and light industries in Kirovograd city.
Kirovograd features
On the whole the climate in Kirovograd is of moderate continental type with mild winters and warm (sometimes hot) summers. Average temperature is 8 degs C above zero, it is the lowest in January (15 degs C below zero) and the highest in July (35 degs C above zero).
There is a Teachers’ Training institute (college), institute (college) of agricultural machinery in Kirovograd. The city was visited by many outstanding personalities, such as A.S.Pushkin (1824), A.Mitskevich (1825), F.List (1887), A.Fet (in 50s of the 19th century).
There are 3 theaters, 2 cinemas, museum of local study and art museum, a philharmonic society.
Kirovograd streets
Kirovograd city, Ukraine street
Author: Ivan Grab
Kirovograd city street view
Author: Eugene Prudky
Kirovograd city view
Author: Demchuk I.
Kirovograd sights
The Fortress of St. Elizabeth. The remains of defense walls of the fortress of St. Elizabeth, which marked the beginning of the city of Kirovograd (formerly Elizavetgrad). Despite the fact that after the Russian-Turkish War in 1774 the fortress lost its strategic military importance and was disarmed, the unique earthen fortifications survived to this day.
There are several old guns and partially preserved barracks on the territory of the fortress. The regiment of General M. Kutuzov was stationed there at the end of the 18th century. Also the Eternal Flame memorial can be found there placed at the military cemetery of those who were killed during the Second World War. Address: Kirovograd, Ushakov Str.
Cadet Cavalry School. The complex of buildings of the former Cadet Cavalry School was built in the middle of the 19th century. It was one of the Russia’s largest military schools. The buildings are located around the present Cavalry Park. In the past it was the site where military parades were held. The complex is still run by the military. Address: Kirovograd, Ordzhonikidze Str., 2.
Guardian Angel of Ukraine. The monument “Guardian Angel of Ukraine” was erected to the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ and the 250th anniversary of Kirovograd city. Around the base of the column there is an inscription: “God bless Ukraine”. Address: Kirovograd, Karl Marx Str., 2.
Arboretum. It is one of the most popular holiday destinations of the residents of Kirovograd. Park area with total area of about 45 hectares was created in 1958, on the first stage 50 different species of trees and shrubs were planted there. In 1972 the park was classified as park-monument. In 2001, after a period of desolation the parkland began to revive.
In 2008, Kirovograd arboretum was recognized as the best park in Ukraine. The park is known for its 100 thousand tulips blooming in late April. The entertainment area of the park has 44 rides. Also there are 2 cafes and 2 restaurants. Address: Kirovograd, Pravda Ave., 28.
The House of Barsky (Local History Museum). The house of merchant D. Barsky is a vivid example of “early Art Nouveau” style. Today it is the Museum of Local History founded in 1883. There are 4 exhibitions devoted to the history and nature of Kirovograd region. The exposition is based on antiquities collection of private collector A. Ilyin: archaeological finds, paintings and icons. Address: Kirovograd, Lenin Str., 40. Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (Saturday - 10:00-15:00).
The House of Shpolyanskiy (Art Museum). Kirovograd regional art museum is housed in a building constructed in Art Nouveau style in the end of the 19th century. The problem of establishing an art museum in the city was raised by local intelligentsia in 1870, but the real work began only in 1921.
Five halls of the museum have the exhibits obtained from the collections of the Hermitage, the Tretyakov Gallery, Kiev museums of the Russian and Ukrainian art, as well as works of famous local artists. Address: Kirovograd, Karl Marx Str., 60. Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (Saturday - 9:00-17:00), day off - Sunday.
Elvorti Plant. The plant is one of the oldest and largest agricultural machinery factories in Europe, specializing in the manufacture of seeders. It was founded by English brothers Robert and Thomas Elvorti. The success of the plant, where before the Revolution more than half of Elizavetgrad population was working, contributed to the development of the city.
In 1994, after restoration and complete overhaul the museum of the plant was opened. Today it has more than 3,500 exhibits. Address: Kirovograd, Ordzhonikidze Str., 1. Opening hours: 8:00-16:00, days off - Saturday, Sunday.
The Main Synagogue. The large brick building in the Moorish style was built in 1853 and renovated in 1895 (architect A. Lishnevsky). At that time the Jewish population of the city was about 25 thousand. After World War II the synagogue was closed, the building was in disrepair. At present, the synagogue was restored and returned to the Jewish community of the city. Historical museum “Jews of Elizavetgrad” was opened there. Address: Kirovograd, Dzerzhinsky Str., 90/40. Opening hours: 10:00-15:00, days off - Monday, Saturday.
The Greek Church. The stone church of the Blessed Virgin of Vladimir with a bell tower was constructed by the Greek community of the city. Originally this place was occupied by a wooden church built by Greek merchants in 1766. The church was rebuilt in 1898. Today it is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. Address: Kirovograd, Karl Marx Str., 72.
The Church of the Intercession. The blue church with green domes was built in 1824 on the site of the wooden church of 1787 by means of merchant P. Shchedrin. The church was constructed in the neo-Russian style of religious architecture. Also some architectural details of the 17th century were used. In 1932 the church was closed. It was returned to Kirovograd believers in 1988. Address: Kirovograd, Frunze Str., 14.
The Cathedral of the Transfiguration. Holy Transfiguration Church was built in the classicism style as the main Orthodox church of the city after the liquidation of Trinity church, which was standing on the territory of St. Elizabeth fortress. It is an architectural monument. Address: Kirovograd, Preobrazhenskaya Str., 22.
Kirovograd sceneries
Kirovograd city, Ukraine view
Author: Sergiy Filippov
Kirovograd park scenery
Author: Drozdov
Kirovograd city, Ukraine scenery
Author: Krivenko
Kirovograd hotels
Hotel “Aeropol”. New modern hotel located in the commercial and cultural center of Kirovograd, in 2 minutes from the main bus station and airport and 10 minutes from downtown. The hotel was opened in January 2010. Main services: restaurant, conference hall, taxi, Wi-Fi, laundry, sauna, parking. Address: Kirovograd, Poltavskaya Str., 20/7. Contact phones: +380 94 938 22 19, +380 522 27 02 19, +380 522 32 17 13.
Hotel “Reikartz Kirovograd”. Business-hotel of Belgium hotel group Reikartz Hotels Resorts is located in the central district of the city. Main services: restaurant (European and Ukrainian cuisine), gym, Wi-Fi, excursions, laundry, airline booking, parking. Address: Kirovograd, V. Chornovola Str., 1-D. Contact phones: +380 522 37 44 68, +380 522 37 44 65.
Hotel “Catalunya”. High level of service hotel located in carefully restored historic building in the center of Kirovograd. Main services: restaurant, pizzeria, sauna, pool, billiards, parking. Address: Kirovograd, Karl Marx Str., 21. Contact phones: +380 522 24 25 36, +380 522 24 43 77.
Hotel “Elizavetgrad”. Comfortable hotel (opened in 2008) located in the historic center of the city near the fortress. Main services: pizzeria, bar, billiards, bowling, movie theater, Internet, supermarket, parking. Address: Kirovograd, 50th anniversary of October Str., 1-a. Contact phone: +380 522 33 04 86.
Hotel “Europe”. Nine-storey building of the hotel is located in downtown of Kirovograd. Main services: restaurant, night and panoramic cafe, billiards, fitness center, laundry, parking. Address: Kirovograd, Karl Marx Str., 13/16. Contact phones: +380 522 24 68 09, +380 522 24 35 31, +380 522 24 96 54.
Hotel “Tourist”. The hotel is located in the center of the city near the fortress. The rooms are not renovated. Main services: restaurant, night club, billiards, fitness center, shops, parking. Address: Kirovograd, Ushakov Str., 1-a. Contact phones: +380 522 24 46 80, +380 522 29 33 32.
Hotel “Zirka”. The new European standard hotel located in the center of Kirovograd near the railway station. Main services: restaurant (European and Ukrainian cuisine), bar, taxi laundry, Wi-Fi, conference hall, parking. Address: Kirovograd, Gagarin Str., 1-a. Contact phone: +380 522 35 40 82.
Mini-hotel “Dvorcoviy”. The hotel is located close to the center of the city in the building of 1837. In 2009 the building was completely renovated. Main services: restaurant, laundry, translator-guide, airline and train booking, beauty salon, Wi-Fi, parking. Address: Kirovograd, Frunze Str., 16. Contact phone: +380 522 27 48 96.
Mini-hotel “Maria”. The new private hotel located near the center of Kirovograd in three-storey building. Main services: cafe, sauna, laundry, parking. Address: Kirovograd, Komarov Str., 33. Contact phones: +380 522 33 12 04, +380 522 27 07 13.
