Dnipro, a city in south-eastern Ukraine, 500 kilometers from Kyiv, has the reputation of being a gray industrial city, and is not the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Ukrainian tourist destinations.
But “Awesome Dnipro,” an English-language paperback published recently by the Osnovy publishing house in Kyiv, aims to challenge that stereotype and urges tourists to explore Dnipro, with its history, distinctive sights, tasty food, and hidden gems.
The book is the fifth in a series of English-language travel guidebooks, coming after “Awesome Ukraine,” “Awesome Kyiv,” “Awesome Odesa” and “Awesome Lviv.”
The Dnipro book’s authors prefer not to call it a guide, however.
“The book is neither a guide nor a manual. Rather, it’s an insight into a city we adore — wonderful, fascinating and strange,” they say.
Founded by Russian Empress Catherine the Great in the late 18th century, Dnipro is Ukraine’s fourth largest city. It holds an important position in the history of Ukraine, as it was one of the key centers of the nuclear, arms and space industries when the country was part of the Soviet Union.
The cover of the book — featuring a rocket blasting off towards space — recalls the city’s long connections to the aerospace industry. According to the authors, Hanna Kopylova and Dana Pavlychko, Dnipro was a place where “the aerospace industry and Soviet monumental architecture came to dominate the skyline.”
However, the book explains that the city has much more to offer than rockets and planes: it encourages visitors to explore the city’s cultural sights, nature spots, sports venues and, of course, its restaurants and cafes.
The book has seven sections: history, culture, food, places, nature, sports and technology. Each section features pictures, important historical information and locals’ insights.
The book aims to show how the city is developing into a modern one, fusing a rich history with innovation.
For those interested in history, “Awesome Dnipro” lists museums and places where one can learn about the city’s past. The book guides the readers through the industrial parts of the city and tells the story of Oleksandr Pol, or, as he is called in “Awesome Dnipro,” “the Columbus of the Steppes,” who breathed the second life into the city. Pol was the man behind the discovery of iron ore deposits in the region and establishing the Ukrainian steel industry. It is largely due to him that Dnipropetrovsk Oblast became the industrial heart of Ukraine.
Those who want to escape the city’s noise should visit the Dniprovsko Orilskyi Nature Reserve, which is “an island of wilderness sandwiched between industrial centers,” according to the book. Located some 30 kilometers from the city, it offers picturesque views and rejuvenating nature.
Back in the city, visitors should check out “The Wall of China,” the book’s section about places says. The structure is “believed to be the longest residential building in Ukraine, home to more than 1,500 residents.”
The food section offers a list of cafes and restaurants loved by locals. Mishi Blyahera, a restaurant that opened in 2009, is one of them, where “every meal has a story behind it.”
The almost 200-page book offers many more tips and insights about the city.
One drawback: there are no maps though to guide tourists in “Awesome Dnipro,” but it has the full addresses of most of the listed venues.
Where to buy:
“Awesome Dnipro” can be purchased online at the publisher’s website osnovypublishing.com for Hr 150. Readers can also opt to order and pick up a copy at the publishers’ office: 7 Heorhyivsky Lane, third floor.
