The city of Donetsk oblast.
Mariupol (from 1948 to 1989 Zhdanov) is a city of Donetsk oblast of Ukraine standing on the shore of Azov Sea. Mariupol is an important industrial center and commercial port of south-eastern part of Ukraine. Mariupol is also a well-known Ukrainian health resort.
Mariupol city population is about 489,000 (2010).
The phone code of the city is +380 629; the postal codes are 87500-87590.
Mariupol is known since early 16th century as a Cossack fortress but it turned into a real town after Crimean Greeks removed to Azov area in 1778-1780. In 1778 a town Pavlovsk was founded and it was named Mariupol. Christian Greeks taken from the Crimean khanate in 1778 settled in Mariupol and its surroundings in 1780.
Mariupol was heavily damaged during Crimean war of 1853-1856. Trade was stopped because of the war. In spring 1855 English-French squadron entered Azov Sea. On May 24th the enemy troop with the help of ship artillery landed in Mariupol, it destroyed store-houses in the port and burnt several houses in the town.
In 1882 railway connected Mariupol with Donbas and other economic centers of the country. It was a fact of great importance for the town. The coal from Donetsk started to be brought to Mariupol port which was located in the mouth of the river Kalmius.
The growing number of freight caused construction of a new Mariupol trade port (1886-1889). The new port revived trade and enlarged the population of the town. Mariupol became an important industrial port at the end of 19th century when metallurgic plants were built in the town.
On December 30th, 1917, Soviet power was established in Mariupol as a result of an armed revolt. In 1920 metallurgic plants were nationalized and united into one plant which was named after Ilyich in 1924. In early 30s the construction of a metallurgic plant “Azovstal” became the main construction site in the town.
By the end of 30s Mariupol grew and changed a lot, in 1925 the population of the city was over 50,000, by 1941 it grew up to 241,100. The first tram line was opened in 1933, it connected the city with Ilyich plant and later with the port. In 1948 Mariupol was named Zhdanov.
As the economics of the city grew so did the population: 280,300 in 1958; 436,000 in 1970; 540,300 in 1989.
In the second half of the 80s perestroika started in the country and it caused economic and political changes in Mariupol. In 1989 the historical name Mariupol was returned to the city on the citizens’ request.
In 1996 thanks to Greek neighborhood Greek Republic Consulate was opened in Mariupol. In 2000 the government of Greece supported foundation of a Greek cultural center in Mariupol.
Mariupol has two steel mills (“Ilyich Iron and Steel Works” and “Azovstal”), making up a significant part of Ukraine’s total export. Machine-building concern “Azovmash” is the largest in Ukraine. Industrial area of Mariupol city produces about one third of Donetsk region exports and about 7.0% of all Ukrainian exports.
Present day Mariupol is a metallurgic and machine-building center of Ukraine, the important region for the country, one of the main donors and the source of currency flow into the country’s budget (over 10%) , the largest sea trade port.
Mariupol is among ten large cities in Ukraine, together with Nikolaev it is 9th/10th largest Ukrainian city. However it remains a resort city. After Ukrainian independence was declared the importance of Mariupol as the center of sports grew. Mariupol is also the center of Greek culture in Ukraine.
Mariupol city street
Mariupol scenery
Mariupol apartment houses
The old Mariupol (the district within Azov Sea in the south, the river Kalmius in the east, Shevchenko boulevard in the north, Metallurgist prospect in the west) consists mainly of small buildings and preserved its pre-revolutionary architecture.
Azov Sea coast and the museum of local study are the main tourist attraction. A line of resort settlements stretches around the city. The first sanatoriums were opened in 1926. A narrow line of sandy beaches stretches for 16 km. The water temperature is 22-24 degs C above zero.
The period of swimming lasts over 120 days, warm sea water is rich in iodine and minerals.
Beside state holidays there are the following holidays in Mariupol:
Vashury Village. Cultural and entertainment center “Vashury Village” is located in the village of Sartana in the north-eastern outskirts of Mariupol. In 2008, a small zoo was opened. There is a children’s town with a variety of rides, fountain and artificial waterfall in the zoo. The place also has a cafe with summer terrace and children’s cafe. Address: Mariupol, Sartana Village, Parkovy Str., 4. Opening hours: 9:00-20:00.
Museum of the Greeks of Azov. The Museum of History and Ethnography of the Greeks of Azov is located in the center of Sartana Village (a suburb of Mariupol). The museum exposition (six rooms on two floors) is very rich in exhibits related to the culture and daily life of the Greeks after their relocation from the Crimea in 1778-1780. The museum staff also pays much attention to the cuisine of the Greeks of Azov regularly publishing the collections of receipts. Address: Mariupol, Sartana Village, General Kurkchi Str., 37-a. Opening hours: 10:00-18:00, day off - Sunday.
Local History Museum. The museum was founded February 6, 1920. The exhibition highlights the natural conditions of the southern part of Donetsk region and the history of the region from ancient times to the present. The museum has more than 53,000 museum objects, including written (handwritten and printed), numismatic, archaeological, natural, and others. Address: Mariupol, Georgievskaya Str., 20.
Museum of Folk Life. The museum was opened in 1989. The exposition is about the features of daily life and culture of different nationalities that settled in the territory of the Azov Sea from the end of the 18th century - Ukrainians, Russians, Greeks, Jews, and Germans. Address: Mariupol, Georgievskaya Str., 55.
The observation point. The observation area overlooking the Sea of Azov is located in Primorsky (Seaside) Park near Lenin Komsomol Square. You can see industrial panorama of Mariupol - one of the largest plants in the city “Azovstal” and Mariupol sea port. Address: Mariupol, Klinovaya Balka Str.
Extreme Park. The park is located in Ilichevsky district, bordered by a park named after N. Gurov. There are 14 rides in the park. Children’s playground, cafe, shopping pavilions can also be found there. Open from April to October. Address: Mariupol, Karpinsky Str., 90. Opening hours: 15:00-22:00, day off - Monday.
Pushkin Monument. The monument to famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin is installed near the Palace of Culture “Markokhim” in 2000. Pushkin visited Mariupol in 1820 on his trip to the Caucasus. Address: Mariupol, Metalurgov Str., 27.
Monument to “Azovstal” personnel. The monument is devoted to the personnel of “Azovstal” plant died during the Second World War. The monument is a composition of three figures: soldier, sailor, and worker. Address: Mariupol, Leporsky Str., 1.
Hotel “Park-Hotel”. This new hotel is located in a park area of Mariupol (15 minute walk from the beach). Main services: bar (European cuisine), 2 saunas with pool, transfer, parking. Address: Mariupol, Primorsky Blvd., 29. Contact phone: +380 50 470 00 73.
Hotel “Grand Hotel”. Up-to-date hotel located on the outskirts of Mariupol opened in 2007. Main services: restaurant (European cuisine), bar, Wi-Fi, taxi, transfer, car rental, translator, laundry, dry-cleaning, parking. Address: Mariupol, Korolenko Str., 6. Contact phones: +380 629 40 24 64, +380 629 40 17 06.
Hotel “The European”. New luxury hotel “The European” is located near the center of Mariupol. It was built in 2003 and renovated in 2008. Main services: restaurant (European and Ukrainian cuisine), billiards, laundry, dry-cleaning, Wi-Fi, business center, translator, transfer, parking. Address: Mariupol, Primorsky Blvd., 9. Contact phones: +380 629 53 03 73, +380 629 53 03 85, +380 629 53 03 82, +380 629 53 03 86.
Hotel “Priazovje”. The hotel can be found in the park area of the city. Main services: restaurant (European and Ukrainian cuisine), cafe-bar, billiards, beauty salon, Wi-Fi, parking. Address: Mariupol, Pobedy Str., 20. Contact phones: +380 629 58 24 50, +380 629 58 24 51, +380 629 58 24 52, +380 629 58 24 53.
Hotel “Meridian”. The hotel belongs to the sea port of Mariupol. It is located close to the railway station and sea port. Main services: restaurant (European cuisine), bar, billiards, business center, gym, sauna, parking. Address: Mariupol, Admiral Lunin Str., 3. Contact phones: +380 629 40 02 34, +380 629 37 10 72.
Tourist complex “Tourist”. This four-storey building is located in the center of the city, 100 meters from the beach. Main services: buffet, sauna, conference hall, volleyball and basketball pitch, concert hall, gym, excursions, parking. Address: Mariupol, Primorsky Blvd., 1/5. Contact phone: +380 629 37 57 78.
Hotel “Spartak”. The hotel is located in historic building built in the 19th century in the center of Mariupol close to beach, sea port, and railway station. Main services: restaurant (European cuisine), cafe, bar, billiards, beauty salon, safe, Wi-Fi, conference hall, ATM, taxi, parking. Address: Mariupol, Kharlampievskaya Str., 13. Contact phones: +380 629 33 10 88, +380 629 33 11 33.
Hotel “Druzhba”. This renovated hotel with cafe-bar and parking is located near the pool “Neptun”. Address: Mariupol, Metalurgov Str., 211. Contact phones: +380 629 38 77 67, +380 629 38 77 61, +380 629 38 77 59, +380 629 38 77 84.
Hotel “Moryak”. Modern hotel located in Primorsky district of the city near the sea port. Main services: cafe-bar (European cuisine), sauna, laundry, Wi-Fi, parking. Address: Mariupol, Admiral Lunin Str., 85. Contact phones: +380 629 37 98 87, +380 629 53 03 70.
Hotel “Chaika”. Four-storey building of the hotel with cafe-bar and parking is located on Primorsky Boulevard, 7 of Mariupol. Contact phones: +380 629 37 60 84, +380 629 37 21 86.
Mariupol bus station
Mariupol industry view
Mariupol entrance scenery
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