Difference between revisions of "Dnipropetrovsk"

Revision as of 15:01, 24 February 2013

Dniepropetrovsk [1] is a major industrial city in Eastern Ukraine.

Understand

Dniepropetrovsk is an industrial centre of Ukraine that was a hub for the Soviet military industry. As such, no foreigners were allowed to visit without official permission until the 1990s. As an industrial centre still, it suffers from heavy pollution issues, but is generally well maintained and provides an interesting insight into real working life in Ukraine.

Be aware that while Dnipropetrovsk is located in Ukraine, like many cities of Eastern Ukraine, it is very rare to hear people speaking the Ukrainian language. Unfortunately, in a business setting, speaking Ukrainian is often met with confusion or contempt. So it's better to stick to Russian or English here.

Get in

By plane

Dnipropetrovsk International Airport (IATA: DNK) is served by both Ukrainian and international airlines. It is located about 15km outside of the city center. It can be reached by taking marshrutka #60 from the train station or #109 from Chkalova street.

If you're in a hurry, it is best to take a taxi. A taxi to the airport from the city center will cost about 100UAH. Foreigners should be ready to pay up to 150UAH.

Recent merger of almost all independent Ukrainian airlines into UIA (Ukrainian International Airlines) has bumped airfares up considerably. Flights to/from Kiev run about USD 110 each way (January 2013).

By train

Train is the recommended means of transportation and the city is well connected to all Ukrainian cities, as well as other places in neighboring countries.

Since Euro 2012, a brand new high-speed train has become available for an easy 5-hour trip to/from Kiev (there is even slow wifi!). The train is called "Interciti" with daily departures from Dnipropetrovsk at 07:30 and 17:30. Be sure to check the latest official timetable as schedules frequently change. [2]

By car

It is better to choose another means of transport. Ukrainian highway police are extremely corrupt and will not hesitate to confiscate your passport until you have provided them with a sufficient bribe.

By bus

Avtolux and Gunsel (Гюнсел), but run buses to Kiev.

By boat

There are reports about ferries that go down the Dineper from Kiev.

Get around

There is a network of Trams and Marshutkas that go around the city. Trams cost 1.5 grivna, and Marshutkas cost 2.5-3.5 grivna.

See

Take a walk in the new European square and visit the beautifully painted town cathedral before taking a walk down the main boulevard to the military museum and the monument with a beautiful view over the Dnieper river. There is also Historical Museum, Diorama “Battle for the Dnieper River (Second World War)”, Shevchenko Park, and Potemkin Palace nearby.

• Preobrazhensky Cathedral, Zhovtneva Square, 1, ☎ 744 88 19. The oldest cathedral in Dnipropetrovsk. Catherine the Great, Austrian Emperor Joseph II, and prince Grigory Potemkin put its first stone on May 9, 1787. The first plan of the cathedral was made by a French architect Claude Geruax. Its building was postponed because of the Russo-Turkish War. The second plan of the cathedral was designed by Ivan Starov, a famous Russian architect from St. Petersburg and approved by Catherine the Great in 1792. Building of the cathedral was completed only during the reign of Nicholas I of Russia (Catherine’s grandson) in 1835. In 1950s it was proved that the final plan of the cathedral was designed by Andreyan Zakharov who was a chief architect of the Admiralty in St. Petersburg. In 1975 – 1988 the cathedral functioned as the museum of religion and atheism. Nowadays it functions as a cathedral and is open to public. In front of the cathedral is a beautiful rose garden.
• Historical Museum, Karla Marxa (East end on the top of the hill).
• Monument of Glory, Karla Marxa (East end). War monument overlooking the Dnieper river.

Do

If you get time it's worth visiting the island parks on the Dnieper. Walk up the main boulevard for 5 blocks from European Square and then turn left. Continue down to Shevchenko park where you'll find a bridge that takes you across to one of the island parks. Here you can enjoy some relatively clean air, take a quiet stroll in the center of the city, pick up an ice cream or beer, and take a ride on some of the features of the old Soviet-style funfair.

Learn

Work

There is no shortage of Teacher positions for native English speakers.

Buy

• Siniy Lyon, 21-a, Lenina str., [3]. 9-18. Ukrainian national clothes and souvenirs

Eat

Borscht, cutlet po Kiev, and cutlet po domashanoy, olivea (mayonnaise salad) and plove for a good rice dish.

For a quick meal get a schwarma, there is a great place in the city center.

• Puzata Hata, Liebknecht / Marx str.. 8-21. Ukrainian national cuisine. A vast range of meals. 4-7 USD.

• Nirvana, Globy Park (Near the theater shell in the central park). Authentic Georgian cuisine with both indoor and outdoor tables.

• Amphora Cafe, Karla Marxa and Furmanova (Near the Monument of Glory). Greek cuisine.

• Italian Quarter, Kharkovskaya 3 (A block east of European Square). Italian cuisine. Good pizza.

• Mimino, Nabereznaya Lenina (About 1500 meters north of 'Hotel Dnepropetrovsk', a 15 minute walk along river embankment). morning till late. Excellent service and friendly staff, nice food with views overlooking the river. On many afternoons and evenings there is a live band. Very nice atmosphere. 30 to 250uah.

Budget

Mid-range

• Mishi Blyakhera, Karl Marx avenue, 46 (Near tram station. Underground), [4]. Best cafe in DNK

• Shamrock Irish Pub, Karl Marx avenue, 41 (Near Gogol monument), [5]. Irish cuisine

Splurge

Drink

Though there are few quality drinking spots some do exist. The best would be Reporter on Karl Marx - a couple blocks past the town square. The second would be Master Schmidt, which has some live music and is a bit more alternative (on Schmidt Street about 3 or 4 blocks up from Karl Marx). For more of a club scene there is Labyrinth and Berlin (inquire locally for the exact location). And, if you choose to be really adventurous you can attempt a Metro Party - getting off at each of the 5 metro stops and drinking a drink. Lastly, for more of a local scene you can simply have a drink on the street-- by the river which is a quite nice walk, or just in the city center. This is the custom known as drinking "na lavochke."

Sleep

Dnieper River

There are a nice amount of hotels around the city. It's also possible to rent an apartment.

Budget

Hotel Dinamo

Mid-range

Hotel Dnipropetrovsk. Along the embankment and close to the city center, address 33 Nabereznaya. Rooms "economy-class" on the 6th floor in "1970 years like style" and all furniture not maintained, looks very old and ugly.

Splurge

Hotel Ukraina

Contact

Stay safe

Be wary of groups of drunken people roaming around. Be careful drinking on the street at night because although the number has decreased since the 1990s, Gopniks (robbers) still exist in Dnipropetrovsk. They are people that enjoy drinking and fighting and little else and will not hesitate to fight you.

Be aware to visit quarters, such as Topol', Klochko, Livoberezhnuyi. There are so many robbers, so care about yourself

Cope

Get out