Cathedral square

Cathedral square is one of the oldest squares in Poltava, situated on high plateau of south-east part of the city. It has always been a nice place to settle in, considering its most advantageous position, which is surrounded by steep gullies on its three sides. Archeological finds testify to the existence of an old Slavic settlement at this lot within city’s range, many years ago. It consisted of a fortified village at the place of modern-day Cathedral Square and of a center for trade and handicraft. This center was situated on Ivanova Gora (hill) marked from the north by Spasskay street and Voskresensky pod’em (ascent), and which occupied some space on institute hill, the territory of “Victory” park and Poltava National Technical University, up to the existent St. Nikolay church. Most likely in 7th century the settlement Baltavar had been here – the headquarters and summer place of khan Kubrat, the ruler of Great Bulgaria. Poltava started from here onward. The fortress stood at today's square for several centuries. Flanks of hill were fortified with wooden palisade for its protection, and from the side of a plain, the fortress was surrounded by earthworks with palisade and a ditch filled with water.

More than once enemy destroyed the fortress, but each time it was restored. At the beginning of 18th century, 10 towers with five bastions protected the well fortified fortress (five towers were blind, the rest five were open-ended). Horseshoe-shaped Podolsky bastion, fortified with Sampson wooden tower, stood in eastern part. The white Rotunda was constructed in 1909 at the place of bastion, in honor of its defenders at the time of Poltava being besieged by Swedish army in the war of 1709. The time and war have not spared the fortress’s fortifications and they didn’t survive to our time. The square for a long time remained nameless and was a part of Uspensky street (October street nowadays). When in the middle of 18th century, a construction of Cathedral was started here; people began to name it Cathedral (Sobornaya) square.

After the October revolution’s victory it was renamed to Red (Krasnaya) square in 1925. Revolutionary gatherings of workers took place here on Red square.

At the time of Ukraine’s independence, the square recovered its historical name in 1999

Today, Cathedral Square enjoys wide popularity among local Poltavites. Especially it gets crowded in summer evenings. From this place one can clearly see Podol, Vorskla’s valley, Holy Cross Exaltation Monastery’s silhouette and running beyond the horizon endless expanse.

Memorial stone in honour of 800th anniversary of Poltava

A steady construction of the city started right from the Cathedral Square. Here, on July 12, 1974 when Poltivites were solemnly celebrating the 800th anniversary of the city, this Memorial stone was unveiled

The first written mentioning about Ltava-Poltava we find in Ipatiev Chronicles dated 1173. The famous soviet historian academician B.Rybakov calls Ltava (Poltava) the city in Pereyaslav land in the book “The Lay of the Warfare waged by Igor Sviatoslavich” and his contemporaries”. In the map, tracing the movements of Prince Igor, we see Ltava marked along with other cities like Lubny, Pereyaslav, Putivl’, Chernogov.

This memorial stone placed at the Cathedral Square represents a granite lump with the carved words from Ipatiev Chronicles “Igor Sviatoslavich marched against Polovets troops and crossed Vorskla near Ltava”.

Friendship Rotunda (White Rotunda)

White Rotunda, a semicircular colonnade was constructed at the very edge of steep slopes of Cathedral Square’s plateau in 1909 in honor of 200th anniversary of Poltava Battle. The place for its construction was not chosen accidentally. At the time of fortress’s siege by Swedish army, there was a fortified watchtower standing between two bastions. Here, shoulder to shoulder, garrison’s soldiers and fortress’s residents repulsed Swedish attacks.

A legend is attributed to its odd shape, which is still alive today. As though a battle horse of Peter I at this spot had lost its horseshoe after a ceremonial entry the next day after the battle, and a local blacksmith had made a new one so quickly and skillfully that tsar praised and awarded him. That is why it is horseshoe-shaped. It’s just a legend, but actually this semicircular colonnade has to commemorate one of the memorable places in fortress fortifications.

In the years of a temporary Nazi Occupation of Poltava, the colonnade was destroyed – fascist had set up an artillery look-out station here. In 1954 to the 300th anniversary of reunification with Russia, the Friendship Rotunda was built at the place of fortifications, where city’s residents courageously fought – Poltava garrison’s soldiers. But Poltavites call it “White Rotunda” anyway, like many years ago in pre-war period.

Friendship Rotunda (White Rotunda)

Friendship Rotunda (White Rotunda)

White Rotunda

Friendship Rotunda (White Rotunda)