Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRAIN
Vinnytsya is a major stop for many east-west trains, including some international ser-
vices. Up to 18 passenger trains daily connect Vinnytsya with Kyiv (110uah, around
three hours) and there are at least five services to Lviv (140uah, seven hours) and four to
Odesa (100uah to 130uah, six to eight hours).
Getting Around
The train station is about 3km east of Vinnytsya's centre and is linked to it by trams 1, 4
and 6 as well as several trolleybuses. If arriving by bus, turn left out of the Central bus
station and walk around 100m to pl Zhovtneva, from where any tram will take you into
the city centre.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Vinnytsya
There are a couple of interesting side trips from Vinnytsya, especially if you are interes-
ted in Jewish heritage sites. The village of
Bratslav
, 50km southeast of Vinnytsya, is
where Rabbi Nachman lived and wrote most of his teachings before moving to Uman.
Several of Nachman's disciples are buried in a shrine-like
cemetery
on a lovely hillside
overlooking a river. Jewish pilgrims allege that the graves have healing powers.
Southwest of Vinnytsya is the
shtetl
of
Sharhorod
. The
shtetl
originated in Ukraine
and the one in Sharhorod is said be the best-preserved example in the country. But it may
not be that way for long. Sharhorod's
shtetl
is dying; its 16th-century
fortress syn-
agogue
(used as a liquor factory in Soviet times) and many of the houses clustered
around it have been abandoned to the elements.
Sharhorod also has a sprawling
Jewish cemetery
with thousands of exquisitely
carved tombstones, some dating as far back as the 17th century. To get to it, follow the
lane to the right of the post office down the hill, bearing left and crossing the creek. Then
follow the trail up the hill bearing left and you will see the black cemetery gate marked
with three large Stars of David.
The tourist office in Vynnitsya can help you reach all of the above places.
WORTH A TRIP
