In the capital, there are many places with intriguing histories that few people are aware of
Kiev is composed of ten administrative units—districts. Each of these is roughly the size of a small town. The districts have their own histories, traditions, and interesting locations.
Kastan NEWS shares and reminds us of fascinating facts about the districts of Kiev. Last time, we discussed areas named Mysholovka, Zvyrynets, Batyeva Gora, Lisova Gora, Chorna Gora, Cherepanova Gora, Korchuvate, Feofaniya, Ipodrom, Expo Center, Ice Stadium, Pirogovo Museum, and Teremki.
Today, we will talk about the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park.
Location
The Holosiivskyi National Nature Park covers an area of 10,988 hectares and is located in the southern part of Kiev, within the Kyiv Plateau. The park consists of several territorially disconnected forested areas. After nearly 20 years of struggle by ecologists, the park was established in 2007 by a decree from President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko. The purpose of its creation is to preserve the natural complexes of the Kyiv Polissya and to improve the ecological state in the capital.
3 Years Leading Up to Its Establishment
The fight for the establishment of the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park began back in 1988, initiated by the founder of the "Union for the Rescue of Holosiiv" Mykhailo Mykhalko.
Initially, it was planned that the park would also extend into the region: stretching south to the village of Vytachiv, thereby covering an area of 65,000 hectares. Additionally, the park was to include the Trakhtemyriv Peninsula and the Kaniv Nature Reserve.
During the period of Independence, in 1994, a corresponding project for the President's decree to establish the National Park was prepared. However, the approval of the document took longer than expected, and its preparation had to restart, eventually resulting in the decree signed by President Viktor Yushchenko in 2007.
4 The total area of the park was over 4,000 hectares, with 1,879.4 hectares allocated for permanent use. In May 2014, another decree from the Head of State added over 6,000 hectares to the park.
As a result, the park in its current form can attract visitors not only as an island of preserved nature within a large city, but also as part of the historical landscapes of Kiev. By the way, in the spring of 2019, an eco-trail was laid in its central part, measuring 2.7 km in length, with interactive information stands placed along the entire route.
Ancient Giants
The park itself, located in the Holosiiv Forest, has two systems of ravines. Some of their bottoms host streams that create cascades of ponds. More than 90 percent of the park's territory is covered by forests, while the remainder is made up of rivers, lakes, and swamps.
5 The territory of the park belongs to two natural zones: the forest-steppe in the south and the Kyiv Polissya in the north. Thus, the vegetation here is quite diverse. The park's flora includes over 600 species of plants, 24 of which are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, including the common sun, Dnipro feather grass, Siberian irises, forest lilies, and floating salvinia, among others.
The park's forest is predominantly old. The beech plantings, which have acclimatized remarkably well to this unusual environment, are particularly interesting.
However, one of the park's main attractions is the ancient oaks. They "populate" almost the entire area, and some specimens have canopies that reach heights of 200 to 500 years.
Pine forests have been better preserved. They are part of the state-designated botanical reserve "Lisnyky" and occupy up to half of its area. In the western part of the park, deciduous forests prevail, including swampy ones.
Flying, Swimming, Walking, and Crawling
The animal world here is diverse. It includes over 700 species of fauna: 192 vertebrates and 600 invertebrates. Rare and red-listed species include copperheads, otters, stoats, swallowtails, stag beetles, and musky longhorn beetles. Additionally, one might encounter moose in the park's thickets, although they primarily migrate from other areas.
6 The park is home to 21 species of fish, 10 species of amphibians, 6 species of reptiles, 100 species of birds, and 44 species of mammals.
From the Depths of Centuries
The history of the park is equally fascinating. Archaeologists have discovered settlements from the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Scythians, remnants of ramparts, and ancient Rus fortresses in this area or nearby, including the Kytayiv settlement, which features a burial mound from the 9th to 13th centuries. This burial site is a monument of national cultural heritage.
7 According to historians, the legendary city of Peresichen may have stood right here, which vanished after the Tatar-Mongolian invasion.
Among the archaeological sites are newly discovered ones. In particular, such findings were made within a conditional triangle formed between the villages of Khodosiivka, Lisnyky, and the former settlement of Mryhi, near the "Lisnyky" tract. In that area, archaeologists uncovered settlements from various periods in 2007. As a result, thousands of finds were transferred to state museum storage, and archaeological expeditions continue their work. However, the subdivision of land and economic activities that have unfolded at the park's boundaries significantly complicate further research and cause serious damage to archaeological sites.
Cult Structures
The narrative about the park would be incomplete without mentioning the Holy Protection (Holosiivskyi) and Holy Trinity (Kytayivskyi) monasteries. They are located right next to the park areas. Near the Holy Trinity Monastery, there are ancient caves that have been partially restored and opened to visitors.
8 Park Records
If we look at the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park from the perspective of uniqueness, it is the only park in Ukraine among 49 and one of 2000 in the world, situated within a large city. Additionally, in honor of the 60th anniversary of the observatory operating in the national park, minor planet No. 15675 was named "Holosiyev."
The Holosiiv Forest itself is considered a place of power and one of the most mystical territories in the capital.
How to Get There
If you are interested in the park and wish to visit it to see everything with your own eyes, you can take the metro to the stations "Vasylkivska," "Teremky," or "Ipodrom," as well as trolleybuses No. 2, 4, 11, 12, 43, 416, 507, buses of routes No. 1, 19, 20, 45, 119, minibuses No. 416, 507, 729, 812, or the city train to the station "Vydubychi," or use personal transportation guided by a navigator.
Yevhen DEM’YANOV
Also, read and watch the new episode of the YouTube project "In the Shade of the Chestnut": “Holosiivskyi Park as a Monument of Garden and Park Art: Preserve or Destroy”