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Vinnytsa - History

The prominent Russian surgeon, scientist, teacher, public figure N.I.Pirogov (1810-1881) in the prime of his life and talent was compelled to leave Petersburg medical & surgical academy. Accused for his progressive activity, he was discharged of the post of the trustee of Odessa and Kiev educational districts. In spring 1861 he took up his residence near Vinnitsa — at the estate Vishnya (Cherry). Just here Pirogov developed fruitful scientific and practical activities. Here he wrote the important works in military field medicine, created the philosophy-biographic confession and "The Diary of the Old Doctor". In the estate he opened a small hospital and a drugstore, almost daily he operated, made bandagings, for 5-6 hours he performed out-patient reception of the patients. Reseach works of this period helped him to make important social & political conclusions about the direct connection between femine, poverty, ignorance and illness, about the place and role of the state in securing the people's health, about the importance of a preventive direction in medicine. On November 23 (December 5) 1881 N.I.Pirogov died in his estate in Vishnya (Cherry). His body was elbalmed by a Petersburg doctor, born in Vinnitsa, D.I.Vyvodtsev. For the further keeping of Pirogov's remains his relatives constructed a special crypt, above which later a family church - necropolis was constructed . So this was the beginning for the creation of Pirogov Memorial Complex.

The town of Vinnytsa is called a pearl of Podill'a and it is really so. Situated on the legendary banks of the Southern Buh it impresses everybody by the organic link it represents between town civilization and picturesque nature.

The town is over six hundred years old. Its history has known its ups and downs. It was overwhelmed by the Tatar hordes. When the Tatars retreated, the Poles moved into the vacuum. The hard times of the Tatar yoke were followed by the rule of Poland, Lithuania and Turkish raids and, finally, the Russian imperial rule.

Modern Vinnytsa is an important industrial, economic and cultural centre of independent Ukraine. The peculiarities of the town development, the outstanding historical events, have had their reflection in its architecture.

Studying the historic monuments which have survived, their restoration, the appearance of new buildings in the traditional historical environment contributes to the preservation of the unique character of the town architecture.

Respect and care for the past and the rebirth of the national traditions of the town have become very typical of late. They have proved conducive to the revival of the town's spiritual life. Today all the churches that were built in the past, namely: the Holy Virgin Maria Anheska Temple, Svyato-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, Chist Resurrection Church and others are open. Besides, new churches of different religious confessions are being built now.

All the town museums are open to visitors, too. A unique Nykolai Church where the embalmed body of the world-known surgeon. N. Pyrogov lies is situated near the Estate Museum of N. I. Pyrogov. The regional museum of Local Lore and the Art Gallery - a real treasury - contain masterpieces of art, sculpture, articles of decorative art, the collection of masterpieces of Polish nobility, archaeological and ethnographic discoveries.

The theatrical life of Vinnytsa is flourishing now. M. Sadovsky Ukrainian Drama theatre, the Puppet theatre, the Regional Philharmonic Society are always open to their spectators.

The town has recently been decorated not only with monumental sculpture compositions, but also with small air sandstone sculptures. As time goes on more and more buildings of modern European design are being built.

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