Nikolaev is situated between two rivers - the South Bug and the Ingul. Since ancient times people noted its unique geographic location – here the steppe, hot and sunny, meets the blue waves of the Black Sea, the astringent smells of absinth and wild thyme are mixed with sea wind smelling of salt and fish. The earliest archeological monument, found within the city territory, dates back to the New Stone Age (5 - 4 thousand B.C.). Nikolaev lands remember Scythians, ancient Greeks, Slavic tribes, hordes of nomads and free Zaporozhian Cossacks.

The city was named by Prince Potemkin in honor of St. Nikolai 209 years ago. From ancient times Nikolaev has been the center of shipbuilding. On its wharfs the largest ships of the former USSR were built. In the time of imperial Russia Nikolaev was the headquarters of the Commander-in-chief of the Black Sea fleet. The names of great naval commanders, writers, poets and artists are connected to Nikolaev. It is one of the ten largest cities in Ukraine. Its population consists of 518.400 inhabitants, of different ethnic origins, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, but also Jewish, Bulgarians, Koreans, Germans, Polish and other nationalities. So, not all of the girls on the AnastasiaWeb socials in Nikolaev may actually be Ukrainian!

Nikolaev was built on the territory of ancient settlements with an unmapped network of catacombs, of an antiquity much older than the famous Odessa Catacombs, near the ancient Greek city-state Ol'viya. AnastasiaWeb travel tip: taking a walk in the local parks and reserves is a truly remarkable experience. The highest part of the South Bug river is named "Ukrainian Switzerland" because of a beautiful landscape with fast rivers, thresholds and covered rocks as in the Cossacks’ legends. The largest Zoo has a variety of fauna and is third in size in the territory of the former USSR. The Zoo’s collection contains more than 350 species of animals, and more than 2500 specimen, many of which are included in the International Red Book. If you get into a relationship with a lady on an AnastasiaWeb tour, she will no doubt take you to see the Zoo.

Nikolaev is famous for its sports traditions, and especially for its being a center of sailing sports. The city with the destiny of shipbuilding can’t help being full of romantic love for sea. That’s why it is no surprise that Nikolaev residents carried out the first great marine voyage back in 1848. At that time the Admiral’ yacht Oreanda departed from the city around the Europe to Kronstadt, and having won the main award of the sailing race returned to the city the same way. Another yacht - Ikar - designed and built by the students and staffers of the Nikolaev Shipbuilding Institute with a crew of 7 people in 1987 became the first Ukrainian yacht to sail around the world.

Thanks to the everyday work, talent, intellect and patience of many generations, Nikolaev within a historically short period of time transformed from a small shipyard to a big industrial, business, political and cultural center of the Southern Ukraine. Nikolaev is open to the world for partnership and cooperation, and believes in its lucky star – the small planet (8141) Nikolaev = 1982 SO4, that was discovered by the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and named in its honor. In an observatory constructed in 1821 is a unique collection of devices for the observation of celestial bodies.

As far as cultural activities are concerned, the oldest in Nikolaev Russian Drama Theatre, the Theatre for Ukrainian Drama and Musical Comedy as well as the Regional Philharmonics are very popular among the spectators. Having come to visit Nikolaev, you will acquaint yourself with a land rich in history and culture which still keeps some secrets. Check out now the AnastasiaWeb opportunities for going on a social to Nikolaev – there is a lot to discover in the city itself, especially if you are a big fan of the sea.