10 Best Things To Do In Luhansk, Ukraine

Best Things To Do In Luhansk, Ukraine
Msah
Msah 
Published
| 3 min read

Luhansk is a city in Eastern Ukraine with history, culture and art and is a former iron industry centre and industrial capital of the country. The city even has squares named after those in Russian cities. The city, however, asserts itself as unique, with its Ukrainian identity and culture strongly preserved. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Luhansk:

1. Chernobyl Memorial

Monument to the Chernobyl accident liquidators (Luhansk)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Qypchak used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The memorial has been built in tribute to the victims of the nuclear reactor accident in the country and is located in the Red Square of the city that mimics the original and famous Red Square in the mother country of Russia. There is also a central square, which is similar to the original in Moscow. In addition to this, there are some Christian cathedrals in the area. A prominent cathedral in the Red Square area is the Chapel of Saint George, which among other churches in the area, outshines the atheist campaign of the Soviet era.

Chernobyl Memorial

Address: 2 Red Square, Luhansk, Ukraine

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2. Mergeleva Ridge

Posted by ExploringUkraine on Friday, 26 September 2014

This is an archaeological site in the city and was supposedly discovered by a group of school students who were participating in some archaeological camps and expeditions in the area. The archaeological site even contains specimens from the Copper Era, including religious buildings that were supposedly constructed during this time. The site provides an idea of the local fascination with religion as well as native Ukrainian traditions.

Mergeleva Ridge

Address: near Perevalsk, Luhansk, Ukraine, about 30 km to the west-to-southwest of the city of Luhansk

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3. Heroes Square

Square heroes
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Илья Буяновский used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The square honours the soldiers who fought in The Great Patriotic War and there are also monuments here that highlight the wars fought within the country as well as the war stories that have shaped the country. The square has also been referred to as the Great War Heroes Square and there are inscriptions and monuments that recognise the soldiers of all wars fought in the country, including the World War. The area is full of monuments and gives an idea of Russian military history and tradition in the Ukraine.

Heroes Square

Address: Sovetskaya St, Miluvatka, Luhansk, Ukraine

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4. Gorky Library

Lugansk regional universal scientific library. Областная научная библиотека Луганска имени Горького. October, 2013
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ivars Indāns used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This is a library in Luhansk that is named after the iconic figure of the country Gorky. The library also has a scientific department that gives an idea of scientific innovations and experiments in the country, both during Soviet times and later. The library was formerly known as the Luhansk Regional Universal Scientific Library and is a unique library in the country of Ukraine. Even the building of the library adds to the element of scenic beauty in the city.

Gorky Library

Address: Sovietskaya Street

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5. Vladimir Dahl Museum Memorial House

Museum Dahl
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Lystopad used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This museum recognises the life and work of Vladimir Dahl, the renowned Russian scientist and ethnologist who also created the thesaurus of the modern Russian language. UNESCO has also recognised this Russian figure who was also known as the Cossack of Luhansk. Even though there is an entrance fee to this museum, voluntary donations are also accepted.

Vladimir Dahl Museum Memorial House

Address: Dahl Street, Luhansk, Ukraine

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6. St. Peter and St. Paul’s Cathedral

Church in Luhansk, 2010
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Navigator-avia used under CC BY-SA 3.0

These are a pair of interesting cathedrals in the city, which give an idea of Christianity’s reign in Ukraine, particularly in the Russian Orthodox style. Though there were campaigns for atheism in the Soviet era and other interesting developments which challenged Christian life, the cathedrals retain their dignity. The cathedrals survived the atheist campaigns during the Soviet period and give an idea of religious inclination in modern Luhansk and throughout the country of Ukraine.

St. Peter and St. Paul’s Cathedral

Address: 2-y Kooperatyvnyi Ln, Luhansk, Ukraine, 91000

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7. Aviation Technical Museum

Ил-12
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gorri2 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This museum recognises the Russian fascination with aeroplanes and aircrafts and gives an idea of Soviet-era aviation glory. There are some of the largest air war instruments in the area here and the museum gives an idea of the Russian air force and the air battles they fought. The area also offers pleasant open space with fascinating aircraft specimens.

Aviation Technical Museum

Address: Acute Tomb, 180, Luhansk 91004, Ukraine

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8. Museum of Local Lore

Images are currently unavailable.

This museum gives an idea of battles fought in the country, the local stories and its cultures. Chinese leader Confucius is a respected figure in the Russian education system and as a result, there is an institute that recognises the Chinese philosopher and his contributions.

Museum of Local Lore

Address: Shevchenko Str. 2, Luhans'k, Luhansk, Ukraine, 91000

Website: Museum of Local Lore (in Russian)

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9. Philip of Luhansk

Часовня старца-диакона Филиппа Луганского

Posted by Ирина Левченко on Sunday, 27 November 2016

This is an iconic monument in the city of Luhansk, built in honour of the renowned figure of Philip of Ukraine. The monument is similar to the Mao Zedong statue in China and recognises the achievements of the local leader. There are rocks and flowers in the park area and this helps to give the area a heroic quality, similar to that of Odessa Park.

Philip of Luhansk

Address: Dniprovska street, Luhansk, Ukraine

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10. Carl Gascoigne Monument

Gaskoin Karl. Lugansk
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ustas~commonswiki used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This monument recognises the one-time leader of the Ukraine and is placed in front of the Museum of Local Lore, where there is a beautiful view of the park and the historic old quarter.

Carl Gascoigne monument

Address: Museum of Local Lore, Shevchenko Str. 2, Luhansk, Ukraine

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Luhansk is a high caliber Ukrainian city

Luhansk contains so many monuments which recognise the leaders of the country, the region as a whole and its role in Russia’s tremendous history. The city maintains a fascinating cultural vibrancy, making it an excellent tourist destination and a place where visitors can learn about not just one, but two cultures, given Russia’s lengthy influence on the Ukraine. While it may not be the most well-known tourist destination, it certainly has enough going for it to delight everyone who takes the time to visit.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Msah is a writer from Calcutta, India and interested in exploring untrodden destinations and areas with an interest in activities, art and culture and nature space.

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