What to see in Cherkasy and around

Cherkasy is not just a city on the Dnipro River, but a true cultural center with a rich history and unique heritage. Here, museums that reveal different chapters of the past — from archaeology to contemporary art — are combined with landmarks that preserve the atmosphere of various eras.

In the city and its surroundings, you can find both classic museum spaces and unusual locations: from museums dedicated to Taras Shevchenko and the history of the region to architectural gems and natural landmarks. This route offers an opportunity to discover Cherkasy more deeply — not only as a modern city, but as a place where the memory of the Cossack past, cultural movements, and artistic traditions is preserved.

In this selection, we have compiled the Top 10 museums of Cherkasy and the most interesting nearby landmarks, helping you create a complete cultural route — whether for a first visit or for new discoveries.

Cherkasy Regional Museum of Local Lore 

The Cherkasy Regional Museum of Local Lore is one of the largest museums in Ukraine, preserving a unique collection of materials on the nature, history, ethnography, and culture of the Cherkasy region. Its holdings comprise around 160,000 items, while the exhibition is displayed across 30 halls, featuring over 12,000 exhibits — from archaeological finds and Cossack weapons to rare early printed books and ethnographic artifacts.

Taras Shevchenko “Kobzar” Museum

The Taras Shevchenko “Kobzar” Museum in Cherkasy is a unique museum dedicated to a single book — the legendary Kobzar. It is located in the memorial house of the Tsybulskyi brothers, where Taras Shevchenko himself stayed in the summer of 1859. This distinctive feature makes the museum not only a literary site but also a place of great historical significance, often referred to as the only museum in the world devoted to a single book. The intimate and authentic atmosphere allows visitors to more deeply experience the importance of Kobzar as a symbol of Ukrainian culture and national identity.

Cherkasy Regional Art Museum

The Cherkasy Regional Art Museum is a contemporary cultural space in the heart of Ukraine, combining museum tradition with a vibrant artistic life. Founded in 1991, it is one of the youngest museums in the country and at the same time an important platform for exhibitions, artistic events, and cultural dialogue. Today, the museum активно develops as an exhibition and educational center, hosting festivals, lectures, workshops, and international art projects.

Cherkasy Literary and Memorial Museum of Vasyl Simonenko

The museum room “Vasyl Symonenko’s Study” in Cherkasy is a memorial space dedicated to the life and work of the prominent Ukrainian poet and journalist. It is located in the editorial office of the newspaper Cherkaskyi Krai, where Symonenko worked from 1957 to 1960, and functions as a department of the Cherkasy Regional Museum of Local Lore. It was here that his voice as both an artist and a citizen took shape. This small yet meaningful museum offers visitors a deeper understanding of the poet and the era in which he lived and created.

Cherkasy City Archaeological Museum of the Middle Dnieper Region

The Cherkasy City Archaeological Museum of the Middle Dnieper Region is a modern museum dedicated to the archaeological heritage of the region. Its creation is the result of many years of work by archaeologist Mykhailo Syvolap, who spent over 28 years collecting materials for the future exhibition. The museum was officially opened in 2017 and today serves as an important center for the study and popularization of the ancient history of the Cherkasy region. The museum not only preserves artifacts but also actively conducts archaeological research and engages visitors in excavations, making history vivid and accessible to everyone.

Taras Shevchenko National Reserve 

The Taras Shevchenko National Reserve “Taras Hill” in Kaniv is one of the most important cultural and spiritual centers of Ukraine, located on Taras Hill, where Taras Shevchenko is buried. It is the first historical and cultural reserve in Ukraine to be granted national status, and today it brings together a complex of sites connected with the life and commemoration of the Kobzar.

The reserve combines memorial landmarks, the Shevchenko Museum, and a natural landscape, creating a space for the study, interpretation, and promotion of Ukrainian cultural heritage. Every year, it is visited by thousands of tourists, for whom this place is not only a historical landmark but also a symbol of national identity and spirituality.

Kholodnyi Yar National Park 

The Kholodnyi Yar National Nature Park is a unique protected area established in 2022 to preserve the valuable forest and natural complexes of the Middle Dnieper region. It is a territory with minimal human impact, characterized by deep ravines, rivers, and rich biodiversity.

In addition to its natural value, Kholodnyi Yar holds great historical significance — it is home to sites ranging from Scythian times to the Cossack era and the Ukrainian liberation struggles. These places can also be explored virtually on the emuseum.ua platform through the tour “Kholodnyi Yar: The Path of the Brave",which allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of this unique landscape.

“Paradise Corner” Homestead Museum

The “Paradise Corner” Homestead Museum in Cherkasy is an атмосферic space in a Ukrainian retro style, created on the private property of Oleksii Chernenko. It recreates the traditional way of life of our ancestors — from a whitewashed clay house with a thatched roof to a collection of antique tools and craft items. Visitors can not only explore the exhibition but also interact with it: grind grain on millstones, try on traditional clothing, or join a guided tour.

The homestead combines a museum with a leisure destination: a birch alley, a small waterfall, boat rides, and cozy photo spots create a special atmosphere. It is a popular place for family отдых, photo sessions, and celebrations, where visitors can experience the harmony of nature and connect with living Ukrainian traditions.

People’s Museum of the Cherkasy Institute of Fire Safety named after the Heroes of Chornobyl

The People’s Museum of the Cherkasy Institute of Fire Safety named after the Heroes of Chornobyl is a unique museum space dedicated to the history of Ukraine’s fire and rescue service and the activities of the institute. Founded in 1980, it became the first museum within the system of fire-technical educational institutions in Ukraine and later received the status of a “people’s museum.” Today, it is an important part of the institute’s educational and memorial environment.

A special place in the exhibition is dedicated to the liquidators of the Chornobyl disaster, making the museum a significant center for preserving memory and honoring their heroism. For those interested in exploring the topic further, the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone can also be experienced through the virtual tour “Chornobyl VR” on the emuseum.ua platform, which allows visitors to safely explore locations that are currently restricted.

“Khreshchatyk” Pharmacy Museum

The “Khreshchatyk” Pharmacy Museum in Cherkasy is a private museum located in a restored pre-revolutionary pharmacy building. Its interior recreates the atmosphere of a historic аптечний заклад, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history of medicine. The exhibition features authentic pharmaceutical items — flasks, measuring cylinders, medicine jars, and scales — as well as copies of historical documents and prescriptions. The museum was created following the model of the well-known Pharmacy Museum in Lviv.

Cherkasy and its surroundings are a space where history, culture, and nature come together in harmony. From unique museums to iconic landmarks and picturesque locations, each of these places reveals a new dimension of the region and allows for a deeper understanding of its heritage.

This route is only the beginning of your journey through the Cherkasy region. Whether traveling through real or virtual spaces, you are not just discovering new locations but immersing yourself in a living history that shapes modern Ukrainian identity.