The following legend tells how the Ukrainians are said to have received their beautiful country:
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The following legend tells how the Ukrainians are said to have received their beautiful country:
| When God had created the world, he divided the land among the peoples of the earth. He had just finished, when two men with long hair and wearing wide-bottomed trousers came rushing towards him. Who are you, and what makes you so late? the creator asked them. Oh, please forgive us, God, we are Ukrainians, and we overslept. But you will still give us a piece of land, won`t you? God tried in vain to get rid of the men, saying that he had no land left to give them. The two men begged him for so long that he eventually gave in. He sighed and said: I see that you will not give me any peace. I do have one piece of land, which I had actually been keeping for myself, it is the most beautiful of all. Take it! And so it was that God had to stay in heaven and the Ukrainians took over the land which was intended to be a paradise on earth. |
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Awarm welcome awaits
you in the Carpathians. Let us accompany you through this beautiful, still
little known region in the Eastern garden of Europe. It is part of Ukraine,
which has been an independent state since 1991. Life and times have moved
more slowly here, but once within, you will discover a pearl in the treasure
trove of the worlds natural landscapes, with welcoming people and traces
of an European history which stretches back over a thousand years. Mass
tourism will trouble you here, and if you are interested in Eastern Europe,
if you are looking for relaxation in tranquil and beautiful natural surroundings,
and if you enjoy the company of people who love to celebrate and are easily
amused, then you have come to the right place in any season!
Following a short geographical introduction to the region, this guide traces the cultural and historical past. In castles, Christian churches, monasteries and museums, in ancient trading towns such as L`viv, Kolomyia and Nadvirna, you will encounter the changing face of Eastern history. We would like to introduce you to the magnificent natural landscapes of the Carpathians and to the hospitable farming people, known as the Hutsuls. This guide is addressed especially to the families of the many Ukrainians, Jews, Poles and Germans all over the world, whose ancestors lived here for centuries. Many of them live today in Poland or Germany, according to their ethnic affiliation. Many Ukrainians who emigrated for different reasons now live in Canada, USA, Australia and Argentina. The Jews who survived the World War II chose to settle in Israel or the USA. May these pictures and texts encourage many people to visit their ancestral homes and to forge new connections after decades of separation |
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Western Ukraine, at
that time already inhabited by Slavic peoples, became part of the Kyiv
Rus (empire) in the 10th century, and was converted to Christianity by
the Greek-Orthodox Church. In the 11th century, Ukraine was united under
the powerful King Jaroslav the Wise and linked by marriage to many Western
and Northern European royal families. As a result of the division of the
Kyiv Empire, West Ukraine came under Galician-Volynian rule, With Halych
as its capital. In the 12th century, these rulers succeeded in extending
their empire to the Black See and to the mouth of the Danube. Prince Danylo
(founded 1256 L`viv) was the most renowned of these; he was crowned king
in 1253 by an envoy of the Pope. This medieval Christian culture in Eastern
Europe is still visible in the chronicle of Galician-Volynian history from
13th century and in the richly illustrated Halych Gospel dating from the
14th century. The restored 12th century St. Pantelimon church near Halych
is further monument to this period, one of 30 churches belonging to the
princes residence (see picture). To commemorate the anniversary of 1100
years since the foundation of Halych, the national park Historic Halych
was opened (see picture) and a monument was erected to King Danylo in 1998.
With these historical monuments, the Ukrainians proudly document their European tradition of 1000 years, for it is not only in the geographical sense that their country is part of Europe. |
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Are you looking for relaxation in tranquil natural surroundings? A wide range of sport and health activities is available in this region. Adventure-seeking visitors can go rafting on the fastflowing rivers, for example on the Prut near Yaremche. There are ample oppurtunities for mountaineering on rocky paths, such as the Dovbush Rock near Bolekhiv. With heavy snowfalls in winter, all kinds of ski sports can be practised for up to 5 months of the year, for example in Vorochta.Modern sanatoriums with curative mineral springs, in Guta, Kosiv, Mizun, Vorochta, Tatariv and Yamna complement the natural attractions. |