Kovalivka village (Kyiv region)

We heard about Kovalivka for a long time, tourists are brought there during sightseeing tours. It is most often referred to on the Internet as the “best ukrainian village”.

Unfortunately, this place disappointed us. Problems started already when we were looking for a parking lot, since there are no signs. At the same time, all roads to the center of the village are closed.


We left the car by the road and went on foot, since everything is located nearby. Official parking is available here 49.982994, 30.007908, but we simply did not find it.

In 2020, a modern stadium was opened, it is used by ukrainian football club Kolos. There is also an indoor ice arena. This is quite unusual for a village with a population of 1,500 people.

The roads in the village are realy good, but... they are closed for transport! Why do you need so much asphalt that is not used in any way? It's not North Korea, Belarus or Kazakhstan :)


There is a lake with swans, but its shores are concrete. I cannot say that it is beautiful or cozy.


We could not get on this bridge with a stroller, since there are a lot of steps and no infrastructure for people with limited mobility.


"The clock of eternity", which is barely visible from the road and which cannot be approached, as the guards immediately warn: "Don't walk on the lawns, it's not Paris!"


"Landscape design".


What is this?




Due to quarantine in 2021, the central park did not work. On this panorama you can see how the park looked in 2019.


Fortunately, there is all the necessary infrastructure: toilet, hotel, playground, restaurant


Shop and children's cafe




School


Overall, it was a good attempt to create a modern Ukrainian village. But, the main problem of this place is the lack of comprehensive planning. There is no uniform style, something is done here, something there, something in this color, something different. It does not look like a useful improvement, but like an unnecessary rural pathos and glamor.

Getting there: parking 49.982994, 30.007908. By bus from the Kyiv central train station to Fastov, then by bus to Kovalivka. You can also get there by bus from Bila Tserkva.