Chernivtsi guide:
A century and a half out of the Russian orbit have been kind to Chernivtsi. It has a graceful, cosmopolitan, Central European air. Its mixed history has bestowed upon it a wide variety of architectural styles, from Byzantine to Baroque, and the elegant streets of its old quarter are lined with grand, vine-covered facades. Tree-lined vulitsya O Kobylyanska, the main pedestrian avenue, is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops. A very different, very Ottoman world opens up in Chernivtsi's courtyards, which have wooden balconies and covered staircases. A block east of O Kobylyanska is the Armenian Cathedral, a mid-19th century building based on ancient Armenian designs. Its interior is meticulously painted, and its organ benefits from excellent acoustics.
Stroll up the avenue to the bustling Tsentralna ploshcha, the old town square, surrounded by beautiful 19th century buildings. One of the most interesting is the main Regional Museum, housed in a turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau building with a unique central staircase. Inside are 20th century paintings and embroidery-rich ethnographic displays. |
