In the year 1789, an order to construct a shipyard was signed, putting Nikolaev history into motion on what has come to be known as the city's birth date - August 27. This southern Ukraine city, also known as Mykolaiv, is located 40 miles from the Black Sea and true to its original beginnings, continues to serve as one of the largest shipbuilding areas in the Ukraine and a major river port for the country.

Early History of Nikolaev

The original shipyard constructed in 1789 was created in an effort to repair the naval ships damaged as a part of the Russo-Turkish War that took place from 1787 to 1792. Its name was selected by Prince Grigori Potemkin, the Russian Governor General of Novorossiya, in commemoration for the day that Ochakov was taken by Russian troops under his command. This day was close to Saint Nicholas Day in the Russian Orthodox calendar and so the city became known as Nikolaev.

Throughout its history, the city  has always been tied to its roots in ship building and much of its present day industry centers around it still. The craft and skill involved in shipbuilding has continually been fostered in the city and as a result, the ships produced here have constantly improved from generation to generation. By 1862, the city had opened a commercial port that was the 3rd largest in trade for all of Russia and the Ukraine.

Present Day Nikolaev

Nikolaev is currently one of the 10 largest cities in the Ukraine with a population over 500,000. Along with its strong Ukrainian and Russian population, there are also many different nationalities of people living in the city, including Bulgarians, Koreans, Germans and Poles.  

Three large shipyards remain in the city today. The city was planned well from its start, with wide, straight streets throughout and districts with regular shapes. At the time these streets were made to carry wood for ships to the shipyard, but today give the city an ahead-of-its time feel with its modern planning conceived at the end of the 18th century by Ivan Saratov. Several nice parks were also constructed throughout the city so that Nikolaev maintains its original look and feel.

Nikolaev has become a major business, cultural, political and industrial center for Southern Ukraine. Its long history of craftsmanship and innovation have made it a great destination with a lot of historical and cultural context to explore.