Why do people love the cities they live in? Certainly for the picturesque beauty of their streets and avenues, parks and gardens, architectural complexes and squares. Residents of Dnepropetrovsk could add that their native town is dear to their hearts also because it is so cozy and amiable, that it makes you feel happy and lucky.

This occurs in a somewhat unconscious and mysterious way, as if by the command of a magic force. They say there are very few such "cozy nooksЋ on the whole planet, radiating miraculous energy that feeds every living being with power, perseverance and courage.

The city of Dnipropetrovsk (Ukr.) or Dnepropetrovsk (Rus.) is situated on the Dnieper River (Dnepr or Dnipro) in the East-Central Ukraine. Despite being relatively young (founded in 1776), Dnepropetrovsk has always been and is the centre of economic, political and cultural life of the country. 

Dnipropetrovsk - simply Dnepr, as it is called by local inhabitants is a dynamic and lively city.

 
The city is surprisingly green along the wide and slow-moving Dnieper river (Dnepr in Russian, Dnipro in Ukrainian) and has remarkable embankments, long boulevards and spacious parks. 

The old fortress settlement has existed since the middle of the 16th century. The new town was founded in 1776 by the Russian Prince, Potemkin by order of Catherine II, Empress of the Russian Empire and was called Yekaterinoslav (Ekaterinoslav) from 1776 to 1926.

However, let us leave the history to historians all the more that nothing in it has passed without leaving a trace or in vainхAs to the present generations, they cherish first of all that what they posses now. For that kindness and friendliness that account for Dnepropetrovsk warmth, emanate not only from miraculous energy of earth but also from the open souls, generous hearts, wonderful age-old traditions and rites of the people who has been living here. 

Dnepropetrovsk is also attracting with its unique beauty and originality. Picturesque banks of the wide Dnipro are the favorite places of Dnepro citizens to spend free time. Small islands full of green, bustling avenues, boulevards and unique parks, small cafe's and restaurants, canoes, white sails of yachts and boats crossing Dnepr all the directions create atmosphere of relaxing romanticism after the day routine. 

The central street of the city has the name of Karl Marx. It is a very beautiful, wide and long parkway, which stretches east to west through the central part of the city. It was founded in the XVIII century and parts of its buildings are the actual decoration of the city. The Karl Marx Prospekt is also the main trade artery of the city. There are plenty of shops and cafes of different sizes and for different income levels.  In the nucleus of the city is Zhovtneva square, on which is the majestic Cathedral that was founded by order of Katherine II in 1776. 

Walking down the hill to the Dnieper River, you will arrive in the large and the oldest Taras Shevchenko Park, named after the great Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. The unsurpassed master in creating country estates I.E. Starov inserted the architectural composition of "Potemkin's power chambers" into the park landscape. Nowadays this is the oldest building in the city, named as the Palace of Students and the youth of Dnepropetrovsk gather here.

There is a wonderful view of the new St Nikolaevskaya church built on the Monastyrsky Island. This island is one of the most interesting places in the city. In the IX century, the Byzantian monks based a monastery here.

Dnepropetrovsk is famous for its theatres: Shevchenko Musical Drama Theatre founded in 1919 as the first national theatre of Ukraine, an Opera house, the Gorky Russian Drama Theatre, the Theatre for children and Youth, The Puppet Theatre, The Theatre of One actor. The largest and most popular is the Historical Museum named for Dmitry Yavornitsky. The collection of Museum of Art comprises more than seven thousand exhibits including works by eminent European, Russian and Ukrainian painters. The House of Organ and Chamber Music placed in the building of the former Bryansky Cathedral is undoubtedly the most beautiful embellishment of the western part of the city.

As most of the European cities Dnepropetrovsk has a wild night life. There is a vast number of night clubs, discos, concert halls, showrooms, fanciest boutiques and places of entertainment here. Two venues are worth mentioning: One is the famous BERKUT safari club. Here you and your lady can ride horses, take photographs with wild deer, shoot with a rifle, automatic gun or bow, and enjoy the cuisine of Robin Hood restaurant were you can order wild dishes. Another place is the PANORAMA bowling club. You will enjoy playing bowling or billiards with your lady here. The atmosphere of the Club will make your visit in Dnepropetrovsk unforgettable.