Walking around the city is impossible now, but no one has canceled virtual travel. We suggest you «take
a walk» together with Zhytomyr guide Lada Sofronova and listen to her story …

Zhytomyr was a multinational city at all times. It always attracted people with its greenery, climate and good geographical location. Famous writers wrote about the beauty of the Polissya city: Ignatius Krashevsky, Vladymyr Korolenko, Sholom Aleichem. The glorious history of the city, friendly and talented residents are what made Zhytomyr a business card at all times. The coexistence of different
cultures in the town at different times added to its charm. Some even found their own distinctive language in Zhytomyr. Once upon a time, this was noticed by Leonid Karum, a relative of Mykhailo Bulgakov, who spent his youth in our city. Zhytomyr retains many vivid legends and true stories. If it were not for the number of surviving military events, we would probably have preserved many architectural monuments. But even the small amount of old buildings that are now can be the basis for an interesting and fascinating story. The city was always on the verge of political interests and important trade routes, and great religious buildings were located in the historic center.
They faced difficult trials, but surprisingly they remained almost intact even after the Second World War. The guests of the city call Zhytomyr «a city of churches», because in the center, not far from each other, there is an Orthodox church – the Holy Cross Church, and the oldest Catholic church in Ukraine, the church of St.Sofia. A Jewish synagogue is located near one of the largest Orthodox Sviato-Preobrazhenskyj Cathedral in Ukraine. And just five minutes walk from St. Michael’s Cathedral we will see the Catholic church of St. John of Dukley.
All temple structures were built for more than one year, but the best professionals have always been involved in their erection – people who are infinitely dedicated to their work. For example, architect Robert Karl Rachau, professor of architecture Ernest Jiber, and well-known Petersburg architect Shalamov were involved in the creation of the project of the Sviato-Preobrazhenskyj Cathedral. The
Church of the Cross was designed by Corresponding Member of the St. Petersburg Union of Architects, Professor of Architecture, Adam-Arnold Ensh. Once upon a time there was a wooden Trinity church on the site of the temple, probably built before the 18th century. During the reign of Stalin, the Holy Cross Church was usually closed, and the priest in charge of the service was arrested. During the Second World War and the Nazi occupation, the temple operated for two years, but after the war it was equipped with a shoe base and haberdashery warehouse, and later – part of the exposition of the local history department. Only in 2012, the temple was re-used as intended. The real history of the construction of St. Michael’s Cathedral is instructive and a little sad. Many Zhytomyr citizens know that for more than ten years, under the constant supervision of Zhytomyr merchant Mykhailo Khabotin, works were carried out related to the construction of the church. The money he spent on building the temple exceeded the city budget. In 1856, the temple was consecrated, but soon the philanthropist died with a sense of accomplishment. Contemporaries have sought to restore the beauty of the temple: for several years, a group of artists led by Denis Bilyansky worked to create new murals of museum quality, which embeds a strong philosophical content. Zhytomyr is a strange city which history is written with intricate human destinies, a plexus of devotion and betrayal, love and revenge. And such stories about the fate of well-known and not very Zhytomyr citizens are really a lot. They are known by those who love Zhytomyr. Do you know the city where you live? You are sure that after self-isolation you will look at the beauty of our city with completely different eyes – with even more love and gratitude.