Mykolayiv (also known as Nikolaev) was founded in 1789 in the aftermath of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774 together with neighbouring cities of Kherson (1778) and later Odesa (1794). The name was given after the sailor’s friend Saint Nicholas and also after the day in December 1788 when general Suvorov captured major Turkish fortress of Achikale (now Ochakov/Ochakiv, in 60 km from Mykolayiv). The first ship “St. Nicholas” was built in 1790.

Mykolayiv became the navy shipbuilding centre of the Russian Empire. It was governed by a military governor until 1900. The oldest shipyard (modern name ‘61 Communars’) was founded one year earlier than the city in 1788. Soldiers, craftsmen and free people from various areas of Russian Empire were ordered to Mykolayiv. Some streets still have numbered names according to founders’ occupation: 11th Voennaya (Military) or 9th Slobodska (Free settler). The city is well planned. Main streets are wide and were used to carry wood to the shipyards.

The Black Sea navy headquarters was located in Mykolayiv for more than 100 years until it moved to Sevastopol and shipbuilding became a part of Mykolayiv history. There are three shipyards in Mykolayiv and the only Shipbuilding University in Ukraine.

Mykolayiv was closed for foreign visitors until the late 1980’s because of large navy projects (as well as Air Force base, turbine plant and military port).

The official language is Ukrainian, but Russian is widely spoken and English is also commonly spoken. Today the city has a population of about 514,000.

Green parks make a big portion of the city. Downtown area is located on the peninsula made by Southern Bug and Ingul rivers estuary.

There is an airport in Mykolayiv .Daily flights to Moscow-Vnukovo, operated by UTAir Aviation, a regional Russian airline. There are also 3 weekly flights to Kyiv and 2 weekly flights to Istanbul, Turkey. The nearest major airport is Odessa. There are daily flights to Odessa operated by “Ukrainian International Airlines”, Austrian Airlines, Polish Airline “LOT”, Czech Airline “CSA”, Hungarian Airline “Malev”.

There is a lot of interesting stuff to do in Mykolayiv all year round! In summer, there is a huge choice of beaches in town, and there are a lot of resort areas in Mykolayiv region. They are situated on the shore of the Black sea. Thousands of people come there every year for their vacations.

There also is a Zoo in Mykolayiv. Mykolayiv’s Zoo is considered to be one of the best Zoo parks in Europe. It’s famous for the variety of animals in it. You can always find somthing new, visiting it. It cooperates with a lot of other world famous Zoo parks and some times they exchange the animals.

Not far from Mykolayiv, you will find an ancient Greek settlement Olvio. The city was founded by ancient Greeks in VI century B.D. You can always go there and find a lot of interesting things. All the time, different archaeological events are being held there.

In case if you do not want to go out of town, you can stay in the center of Mykolayiv and go to places like: Museum of Shipbuilding and Fleet, Museum of Arts, Museum of Native History, Russian drama theatre, Ukrainian theatre, Astronomical observatory.

If you prefer active leisure, you can go to the skating rink or to the tennis club.

You can always just take a stroll along Sovetskaya street (main pedestrian street) or Naberejnaya street or have a nice time in the Yacht Club.

The most part of the citizen is Christian. You can often see a chapel or a church while walking along the streets of Mykolayiv. Religion is a very important thing for the most of people. The biggest church hollidays like Easter, Christmass and alot of others are celebrated nation-wide.