7 Wonders of Ukraine Unveiled

Kyiv, December 5, 2011. Ukraine has selected its seven wonders in the nomination for castles, fortresses, and palaces. All in all, 138 monuments all over the country laid claim to be selected as one of the seven wonders of Ukraine.

As a result of the on-line vote, the winners of the 7 Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses, Palaces project were announced at the Sofia Kyivska national park. The full list of wonders consists of Akkermanska fortress in Odesa oblast, Vorontsov (Alupka) palace in Crimea, fortress in Kamianets-Podilskyy [Khmelnitsk oblast], Lutsk Verkhniy castle in Volyn oblast, Mytropolychny palace in Chernivtsi, palace in Kachanivtsi [Chernihivska oblast], and fortress in Khotyn [Chernivtsi oblast].

Special prizes went to the Bakhchysaray Khan palace in Crimea, Oleskyy castle in Lviv oblast, Kyrylo Rozumovskyy’s palace in Baturyn [Chernihiv oblast], Chyhyryn fortress – the residence of hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyy [Cherkasy oblast]. The monuments were nominated as unique, famous, and historical objects of Ukrainian cultural heritage.

The selection process started out with 138 nominees. Then, by holding regional presentations and interviewing over 100 experts in the areas of tourism, architecture, history, and culture, the organizers managed to identify 21 finalists: seven castles, seven fortresses, and seven palaces. The 21 nominees were later revealed for the on-line vote. Also, the organizers conducted interviews with state administration in tourism and culture, travel agencies, and independent experts. Thus, the internet vote and the opinion of the experts [50/50] helped single out the winners of the project.

Later, the organizers of the project, Ridna Krajina fund, plan to publish a booklet 7 Wonders of Ukraine: Ukraine – the Land of Wonders and make DVDs featuring information on the 21 finalists. The next stage of the project will be themed 7 Wonders of Ukraine: Parks.

It is worth noting that in November 2011, Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gate) station of Kyiv’s subway occupied 11^th position on the list of the most impressive subway stops in the world, according to BootsnAll. Zoloti Vorota is one of Kyiv’s most known underground subway stations, notes BootsnAll. The station was named after a historical structure – the ancient entrance to the city, built in 1037. The legend claims that the gold-covered domes of the Golden Gate were seen miles away from the city. Zoloti Vorota subway station became operational on the New Year’s Eve of 1990 – on December 31, 1989. The station’s depth is 80 meters (262.5 feet).