Zaporozhie (known as Alexandrovsk before 1921), the administrative centre of Zaporozhie region with a population of about 1 million, was founded in 1770 as a fortress on the banks of the Dnepr (Dnieper) river. The name of the city is associated with Ukrainian Cossacks, who lived on the Khortitsa island - the capital of Zaporozhian Sech, the Cossack State. At present Zaporozhie is a large industrial, scientific and cultural center of Ukraine. There are the Music and Drama Theatre, the Puppet Theatre, the Museum of the Zaporozhian Cossacks History in Zaporozhie.

The Region possesses the key position of the country’s economy. Its territory is 27,2 thousands km(2), washed by the Sea of Azov and the Dnepr River. The population of the city of Zaporozhie is 900.000 people, making it the fourth largest city in the country. The beauty and width of the river Dnepr is repeated in the central thoroughfare of Zaporozhie, Lenin Avenue, which is one of the longest streets in Europe. Let AnastasiaWeb organize a tour for you and enjoy the charm of a provincial avenue that hosts many restaurants and cafes (even a McDonalds is available in the unlikely case of you becoming homesick).

It will not take you long to make a route of Khortitsa. You can do it in a day, if you like, as this island behind the Dnieper Dam is no larger than 30 km in circumference. But you can scarcely find a larger, more beautiful or historically valuable island among those in the course of the Dnieper. Long ago, the waters of the river were roaring running against enormous granite ridges - the rapids. This is where the city derives its name from – “Za-Porozhie” means “Behind the Rapids”. There are no rapids any more. They were covered with the waters of the lake which appeared as a result of the Dneproges (The Dnepr Hydroelectric Power Station) construction.

One can call Zaporozhie a city of tourism; nearby there is a highway of great importance – «Moscow – Simferopol»; snow-white liners with tourists on board are a usual sight. The network of hotels and campings is able to accommodate all the guests. AnastasiaWeb will help you choose the one to fit your specific requirements. There are many things to see in the city: the Dneproges Dam, unique in architecture and shape; bridges designed by the famous engineer Preobrazhensky, which are among the most beautiful in Europe; and of course, the Island of Khortitsa – a national reserve, the glory of Ukraine.

Zaporozhie and its region are considered the cradle of a unique phenomenon of XV – XVII Century Europe - the Zaporozhie Cossacks. Cossacks were free people. They ran away from the oppression of landlords to the wild steppes of Dnieper area, grouping into bands up the Dnieper rapids. The word «Zaporozhtsy» (those from behind the rapids) also goes back to those events. The whole history of Cossacks is a permanent war: against the Turkish sultans, the Crimean Khans, against Poland ruled by szlachta (Polish gentry). Europe was amazed by the Cossacks’ military skills, and a lot of monarchs, including Russians tsars, were quite willing to accept their services.

The Cossacks never worked for landlords, never lived in serfdom; they were free people, whose only duty was to defend the southern frontier. After Russia got the access to the Black Sea coast their services were no more required, and «a nest of self–will», as the empress Katherine II called Cossacks, was destroyed by her order at the end of May 1775. The rebirth of the Cossacks began in the late 90s: almost at the same time such organizations as «Kazachye bratsyvo» («Cossacks brotherhood»), «Kasatskaya volnitsa» («Free Cossacks Society»), «Kosatsky Kosh» («Cossacks’ Host») appeared.

AnastasiaWeb is happy to announce that its Dnepropetrovsk tours now include Zaporozhie, this fascinating city that played such an important part in the making of both Russian and Ukrainian history. Now it also hosts a large industrial complex, as well as a developed infrastructure. However, the lovely ladies of Zaporozhie are the best attraction of the city. Join an AnastasiaWeb social in Zaporozhie to check that out for yourself.