Raisins, city. City of Izyum of the Kharkov region

In the Kharkov region there is a "sweet" city - Izyum. On the map of Ukraine you can see that it is located in the place where the rivers Sukhoi Izumets and Wet Izumets flow into Seversky Donets. The city is the center of the Izyum district. Next to it are the villages of Donetsk, Dibrova, Kamenka, Kapitolovka, Pimonovka, Babenkovo. Advantageous geographical position is Raisin (city). The map shows that on three sides the path to it is blocked by a river, and at the rear it is protected by a mountain Kremenets (in colloquial speech - Kremyanets).

A bit of history

It is this position of the city that caused the fact that during his history he saw many battles. And although in official written sources one can find references to the city, or more precisely - about the watchmen "Izyumskaya Sakma", only since 1571, scientists tend to believe that the age of this settlement should be counted from an earlier time. So, in the territory where it is now located, in the XI-XII centuries, wars between the Polovtsi and the Russian princes were fought, and in 1111 the army led by Vladimir Monomakh won the Sal'nitsa River. The river is annalistic, and it can not be found on maps. However, historians are sure that it was a tributary of the Seversky Donets and ran into it just near the place where Izium is now. The city as such was formed, certainly, not at once. In the 16th century the Izyum Sakma was one of the main roads by which Tatars raided Russia. That is why on Krementets were built watchdogs. And already in the second half of the 17th century the Izyum fortress was built. The city began to grow gradually around, and since 1685 it has become a regiment.

The 20th century was also marked by bloodshed in this settlement. Violent reprisals of Denikinists over nearly a hundred political prisoners of the raisin prison. In memory of this tragedy a white-stone obelisk erected on Mount Kremenets was erected. Cruel battles during the Great Patriotic War. It was here that the Kharkov operation was conducted. Raisins - a city that for eight months restrained the advance of the Nazis. His fascist Germany rightly considered a "door" to the Donbas, so it was so important for the enemy army to seize it.

Modern city

Now the city of Izyum of the Kharkov region is a picturesque small town with a population of just 56 thousand people (according to the 2001 census). Still preserved shanty near the river bank. Walking around the city, you can meet the surviving county houses, not destroyed by the war. Although the city is dominated by five-story buildings. Quite a number - one of the largest in Ukraine forestland. Pine forests predominantly occupy about 60,000 hectares of land, 430 in the city. In 9 kilometers is located Chervonooskolskoe reservoir - one of the largest in Eastern Ukraine. In the XIX - XX centuries. Industrial development of the city went on in seven-league steps. The railroad that passed through it was extremely important, even in tsarist Russia, to say nothing of the times when the extraction of minerals was conducted in large quantities. Raisins became the first city in Russia, where they began to produce optical glass. In 1916, they began construction of a plant to produce it.

Polovtsian women

Despite the fact that Izyum is a small city, travelers, who love history, have something to see. The most ancient monuments include statues of the so-called "Polovtsian women". On their origin, historians do not have a common opinion. But there is one legend. According to her, these statues were once people worshiping the sun god. An angry deity once turned them into stone. On the slope of Kremenets they did not always stand. Statues were collected from all over the county. The time of their appearance is about the XII century. If you leave aside legends and talk about scientific hypotheses, some historians believe that these are idols for worshiping the goddess of fertility. There is, however, another opinion: these stone statues are tombstones. Whatever it was, but if you study them, you can get an idea of everyday life, tools, decorations, weapons of the ancient nomads.

Memorial complex to the 40th anniversary of Victory

At the top of Mount Kremenets, a memorial was opened for the fortieth anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It can be seen from anywhere in the city. On the territory there is a monument "The Sorrowful Mother" and the grave of "Unknown Soldier" is located. The road to the top passes through Victory Park. A somewhat unusual and amazing place. Even the urns in it resemble an exploding shell. There is also a monument, which is a soldered bomb. Also on the central avenue is the military equipment of the Second World War. There are artillery guns, tanks T-34, KV and, of course, the legendary Katyusha. It is at this place that on May 9, there are festive events, torchlight processions and fireworks.

Transfiguration Cathedral

Raisins - a small town, as already mentioned. There are only three churches in it, but each of them is worthy of attention. Almost the same age as the city is the Transfiguration Cathedral, built in 1684, soon after the foundation of the Izyum Fortress. In 1751, it was repaired, and in 1886 the complex was supplemented by a bell tower and porch. The next restructuring took place at the beginning of the 20th century. And as a result, the appearance of the temple has changed significantly. It became very reminiscent of buildings in the style of Ukrainian wooden architecture. The Great Patriotic War did not spare the cathedral either. He was very much destroyed. However, already in the fifties of the last century it began to be reconstructed. As a result, the temple almost regained its original appearance and interior. The walls were cleaned of traces of all repairs. And even if it was necessary to restore part of the masonry, the bricks were made using old technologies.

Church of St. Nicholas

In 1809-1823 years. The church of St. Nicholas was built. Its other name is the Holy Cross-Exaltation Temple. Later lateral side chapels were erected. It is much smaller in size and built in a classical style. And although in terms of architecture it is not so interesting, but the painting of interior interiors strikes the imagination.

The Ascension Church and the miraculous icon

Finally, the third temple is the Ascension Church (Holy Ascension Cathedral). It was built in 1792 on the site of an old wooden church. In 1903, lateral chapels appeared, and the bell tower increased by one level and became a four-tiered one. Each of them is made in its own style. The lower one is in harmony with the facade of the church. The second one is square. It is limited by the cornice and the window frames. The third has the shape of an octagon and is decorated with flat porticos with pilasters, reminiscent of the style of the Corinthian warrant. Finish the construction of triangular pediments.

The Holy Ascension Cathedral is also known for its relics, which the city of Izyum is proud of. Ukraine honors the miraculous icon of the Peschan Mother of God. It was the first time she appeared to St. Jehoshaphat of Belgorod. And in 1999 it was found again. And then the cross procession was held unparalleled: on the plane for five days the icon was carried along the Russian borders.

Holy spring

One of the most loved by the residents and guests of the city is Kirichenkova Krinitsa. It is located near the Holy Ascension Cathedral. People often come to the source to collect healing water. A nearby chapel is a bathhouse. They say that after visiting this holy place, you can get rid of many ailments and wash away all your sins. To dip in the bath, you need to bring a cotton shirt. And inside you need to behave quietly, keep clean.

The city of Izyum, a photo of which shows its unusual and beautiful, is permeated with warmth and comfort.