Kherson Travel Guide

Kherson (Херсон) is a city situated in southern Ukraine on the banks of the Dnieper River close to the Black Sea (see map). With a population of roughly 305,000 inhabitants, it is an important Black Sea, Dnieper River port and home to a large ship-building industry.

By decree of Catherine the Great, the city was founded in 1778 as a naval base to defend Russian interests along the Black Sea coast. Beginning as an administrative and defense center, it developed into an important export center by the end of the 19th century. Today the city is a major river, sea and rail junction, exporting grain, timber, and manganese ore, while importing oil from the Caucasus region to feed local refineries.

For visitors, Kherson offers a wealth of historical and cultural points of interest. Museums tell of a history that dates back to the ancient Greeks who were believed to have a colony in the immediate area named Chersonesus Heracleotica. Landmarks such as the original fortress, with earthen ramparts and stone gates, paint a picture of Kherson's early days in the Russian Empire. In more recent history, monuments and parks honor the heroes of World War II who struggled against Nazi oppression.

KHERSON ROMANCE TOUR

Those who venture from the city have the opportunity to see rural Ukrainian life where local customs and traditions haven't changed for centuries. You also have the opportunity to explore nature reserves like the unique Askania-Nova reserve (1st nature reserve in Ukraine), which preserves a piece of virgin steppes the way they would have looked to earlier settlers and civilizations.