Historian speaks on oldest city in Ukraine, founded in 6th century BCE
Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi is the oldest city in Ukraine (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, located in the Odesa region, is considered one of the oldest cities in the world and the oldest city in Ukraine. Its history goes back over 2,500 years. In different periods, it belonged to the Phoenicians, Greeks, and even the Antes, according to historian Alexander Alfyorov and Wikipedia.
The oldest city in Ukraine
"This city was founded in the sixth century BC. At that time it was called Ophiussa, then it changed its name and became known as Tira, and in the times of Rus it was called Bilhrad, then it changed its name to Asprokastro, then there were many more changes. Finally, we know it under the name Akkerman, under which it was part of the Ukrainian state in 1918. Now it is called Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi," says the historian.
He adds that in 1999 the city celebrated its 2500th anniversary. UNESCO recognized that this city is one of the oldest in the world.
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Many historical monuments have been preserved in the city (photo: Wikipedia)
Many historical monuments have been preserved in the city (photo: Wikipedia)
Many historical monuments have been preserved in the city (photo: Wikipedia)
Many historical monuments have been preserved in the city (photo: Wikipedia)
Many historical monuments have been preserved in the city (photo: Wikipedia)
Today, the city's population is over 48 thousand people. It is one of the industrialized cities in the Odesa region. There are many historical monuments in the city. Namely:
- Akkerman fortress of the XIII-XV centuries
- excavations of the ancient city of Tira
- Greek church of the XIII-XIV centuries
- Armenian Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the XIV-XV centuries
- Synagogue of the XIX century
- Ascension Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church of the XIX century and many other monuments
Throughout its history, the city has changed its name many times. Almost every new owner of the settlement named it in his way. The last time it was renamed was in 1944. Dnistrovskyi was added to the historical name of Bilhorod to distinguish the city from Russian Belgorod.
How the name of the city changed:
- VII century BC - Phoenician colony of Ophiussa
- VI century BC - the ancient Greek colony of Tira
- II century AD - the Roman city of Tira
- VI century - the East Slavic tribe of Antes called the settlement Turis
- IX-X centuries - East Slavic tribes - Tyvertsi and Ulychi - named the city Bilhorod, and the Byzantines - Levkopol (White City)
- XIII century - the Genoese named the city Moncastro
- XV century - the city was part of the Moldavian principality and was called Chetatia-Albe (White Fortress)
- 1484 - the city was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and renamed Akkerman (White Stone)
- 1812 - the city was ceded to the Russian Empire under the name Akkerman
- 1918 - the city was ceded to the Romanian Kingdom under the name Cetatia Albe
- 1940 - the city, together with Bessarabia, was annexed to the USSR under the name Akkerman
- 1944 - by order of Stalin, the city was renamed Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi.
