About Chernigov

Chernihiv is a city in northern Ukraine, capital of Chernihiv Oblast. Located on the northern bank of the Desna River, 130 km (80 mi) northeast of Kyiv, Chernihiv is an economic and cultural center. Industries include the manufacture of tires, synthetic fibers, musical instruments, textiles, clothing, footwear, construction materials, and food products, including dairy, meat, macaroni, sweets, and beer. Institutions found in Chernihiv include a teacher training institute, several technical schools, several branches of national research institutes, three museums, a music and drama theater, and the philharmonic orchestra of Chernihiv Oblast. Chernihiv has a complex of 11th and 12th century churches, two 11th century monasteries, and remnants of medieval fortifications. The city has an airport and a river port, and it serves as a rail junction and a highway hub. One of the oldest cities in Ukraine, Chernihiv was the center of the tribe of Siveryane. Incorporated into Kievan Rus, the first significant Russian state, in the 9th century, Chernihiv became one of the wealthiest cities in the realm and a seat of its own large principality. Following the devastation by the Tatar invasion in 1239, it became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the second half of the 14th century. In 1503 the city and its principality were annexed by Muscovy (present-day Moscow). In 1618 Chernihiv was transferred to Poland, and in 1648 it became part of the Ukrainian Cossack Hetman state. Starting in 1654, much of the Ukrainian Cossack territory gradually came under the control of Russia. The Cossacks' autonomy was further restricted during the reign of Catherine the Great from 1762 to 1796. Chernihiv continued to serve as a regional capital under Russian, Soviet, and independent rule. Population (1998 estimate) 311,000.