The monastery island in Dnepropetrovsk is probably one of the most picturesque places in the third largest city in Ukraine. A snow-white church was built on the site of the monastery that gave it its name, and is now a symbol of the city.
Komsomol Island in Dnepropetrovsk is probably one of the most picturesque places in Ukraine's third largest city. From October Square towards Dnepr Hill through Shevchenko Park, a magnificent pedestrian bridge leads to the island that encircles Dnepropetrovsk like a crescent moon.
Komsomol Island used to be called Monastery Island, after a Byzantine monastery in the north of the island, which was allegedly built by monks in the 9th century and destroyed by the Tartars in the 13th century. It was then renamed "Komsomol", but since 1999 it has been called Monastery Island again, which according to media reports has had a positive effect on tourism. Allegedly for financial reasons, however, the signs and documents have still not been changed.
Legends around the monastery island in Dnepropetrovsk
The monastery island in Dnepropetrovsk is surrounded by many legends and stories. One of them is that St. Andrew the Apostle once reached the island and preached the teachings of Christ.
Another is that Princess Olga and Bishop Gregory once sought shelter here from a devastating storm on their way to Constantinople. This legend is so persistent that it is told to children in Dnepropetrovsk and has almost become a historical fact through many publications. The Byzantine monks were also said to have once sought shelter from the weather here and founded the monastery in gratitude.
Visit to the monastery island in Dnepropetrovsk
Today, the monastery is replaced by the beautiful Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, which shines from afar with its golden dome. It was built in 1990 by the Moscow Patriarchate in the north of the island. The snow-white church blends wonderfully into the lush green vegetation of the monastery island and has become a symbol of the city of Dnepropetrovsk.
In addition to the church, there is also a monument to the famous Ukrainian writer Tara Shevchenko on the monastery island, a small zoo and an amusement park where especially the young visitors will have fun.
Most visitors to the monastery island, however, visit this idyllic place for recreational purposes. The forests of Monastery Island seem like something out of a fairy tale, and sitting on the banks of the Dnieper River and simply relaxing with a view of Dnepropetrovsk is pure holiday.
