jquery sliders

Uman




Geographic position. Uman is the city in Cherkasy region, situated at the confluence of rivers Kamenka and Umanka.  

Climate.
Moderate continental with mild winters and warm summers.
History.  The exact time of Uman foundation is unknown. In 1616 in official documents Uman is mentioned as a small town which was situated on the border of Poland with Wild Field. In those days, the town belonged to Bratslavskyy province. In 1648 Uman was captured by detachment led by Ivan Ganzha and the town became the administrative center of Uman regiment. From 1648 to 1667 Uman in the structure of Cossack-Hetman State is the important regimental city and fortress. According to Andrusiv truce (1667) Uman again forms the part of Poland. In 1674 the city was completely destroyed by hetman Doroshenko. Many residents of Uman were killed in the process. After those events the city is in decline, and majority of population moves to the Left Bank of Dnieper. The decline continues untill 1726, when Uman with its vicinities passes into possession of Francis Pototskyy. To strengthen Uman, count invites here villagers and artisans from his other possessions. Armenians, Greeks and Jews come to trade to Uman. Construction of new castle begins. But Haidamaks make constant raids on the city and conquer it twice (1737 and 1750). In 1760 the city is given Magdeburg Law. Synagogue is opened. In 1761 owing to efforts of the villagers from surrounding villages is finished construction of the castle. In 1761 Pototskyy founds in Uman Catholic Basilian monastery. After the uprising in 1768 of poor Zaporizhzhya Cossacks led by Zaliznyak and Gonta the city again fell into disrepair. Almost no population was left, trade withered. In 1795 count Stanislav Pototskyy moves for permanent residence to Uman. He begins restoration of the city and in 1796 lays the famous garden-landscape park “Sofiyivka”. At the beginning of the 19 century Uman turns into the center of Jewish religious movement – Hasidism. Rabbi Nakhman, great grandson of the founder of Hasidism rabbi Baal Shem Tov, lived his last years in Uman. According to his will he was buried in the old Jewish cemetery, and synagogue was situated in his house. In 1834 Uman was confiscated by Russian Government from Pototskyy family and in 1838 it passes into possession of department of military settlements. At the end of 19 century Uman turns into a typical Jewish town. Before the Second World War the city became a major agricultural center. Agricultural Institute is opened. On August 1, 1941 German Fascist troops occupied Uman. Concentration camp “Uman Pit” was organized in the city. On the outskirts of the city, in Dry Ravine Germans shot more than 13000 Jews. The city was liberated in the course of Uman-Botoshanska operation on March 10, 1944. After the war Uman became district center.

Attractions. The main attraction of the city is the National Dendrological Park “Sofiyivka”, located in the northern part of Uman. “Sofiyivka” is the monument of landscape type of world garden-park art of the late XVIII – early XIX century. More than 3323 species, forms, varieties, cultivars of local and exotic trees and bushes grow there. Park “Sofiyivka” was founded in 1796 by the owner of Uman city, Polish magnate Stanislav Pototskyy, named in honor of his wife Sophia Vitt-Pototska and presented her on the name day in May 1802. The author of topographic and architectural design and construction manager of the park was Polish military engineer Ludwig Mettsel, and all work was performed in the park directly by serfs of Uman. The park is decorated with rocks, caves, pavilions, pergolas, sculptures. According to the architect, the park is a perfect illustration of the certain parts of poems by Homer “Iliad” and “Odyssey”.    
Expositions of Uman Local History Museum, Uman Art Museum, Uman Museum of Culture and others are permanently open in the city.
On Jewish New Year, which is celebrated at the end of September, Hasids from all over the world come to Uman to pray at the tomb of tsadik Nakhman and receive spiritual purification.