Poltava

Potava was first mentioned as Ltava in Rus' chronicles of the 12th century. Known as Poltava since 1430, in the 17th century the city became part of the Hetmanate, serving as a centre of an eponymous Cossack regiment in Left-bank Ukraine. In 1709 it was the site of a decisive battle of the Great Northern War. Following the dissolution of Cossack Hetmanate, in 1802 Poltava became the centre of an eponymous governorate of the Russian Empire, and housed the residence of the governor general of Little Russia.

Starting from the late 18th century, Poltava became a major cultural centre, with many activists of the Ukrainian national revival living and working in the city. The city was severely damaged during World War II, but was restored and expanded in the following decades. In modern times Poltava remains an important cultural and educational centre, as well as a location of several notable industrial enterprises. Known for its parks, it is reputed to be one of the greenest cities in Ukraine.