Sofiyivka Park in Uman

A mid-2000s snapshot. Covering 154.7 ha of meticulously-landscaped grounds, Sofiyivka's architectural wonders incorporate Greek mythology to produce an aristocratic park of days gone by. The man behind it all was Polish noble Count Stanislaw Potocki, who had the park commissioned in 1796 for his beautiful Greek wife Zofya. After six years of daily labor by 800 workers from the Uman region under the direction of Polish military engineer Ludwig Metsel, Potocki presented the park to his wife on her birthday and named it in her honour. In 1832, Kyiv government authorities seized control of the park in response to Potocki's son's support of a Polish uprising, and it's been in Russian or Soviet or Ukrainian hands ever since.

At almost every turn there's a new sight to behold - picturesque views framed by rare trees, waterfalls and grottoes, and classical sculptures of Mercury, Cupid and Paris to name a few as well as busts of Greek philosophers. Create your own mythological tale as you stroll along the River Styx, sail along an underground river near the Lake of the Dead, and gaze upon the Isle of Love in the middle of the Sea of Sweetness. In those days you could easily spend the better part of a day here, so you might wish to stay in the hotel to the left of the main entrance. There was also a museum and restaurant nearby, as well as snack stands throughout the park. The park was then open from 10:00 to 18:00. Admission was 2 UAH, children 1 UAH; weekends/holidays 4 UAH, children 2 UAH. Guided tours in English were 15 UAH, children 7.50 UAH; weekends/holidays 30 UAH, children 15 UAH. The minimum price of an English group tour was 60 UAH, weekends/holidays 120 UAH (prices of that time). Whew!

210 km south of Kyiv via the Odesa highway
Tel. then: (04744) 36 319/32 210