Every year on the second Saturday of September, except for individual decisions of the city council, the city Vinnytsia celebrates its birthday. According to the annals, the city was founded in 1363. Although these territories have long been inhabited by the tribes of the Ulyches and the Tiberians, which were part of Russia. Later, the lands went to the Principality of Galicia-Volyn. For more than a hundred years, the Golden Horde ruled the territory of modern Vinnytsia. In 1362, Podillia became part of the Principality of Lithuania after the Lithuanian prince Olgerd defeated the Mongol-Tatars.

The origin of the name has not yet been established. According to some sources, the name comes from the Old Russian word “wine”, which means bride’s dowry. According to other sources, it comes from the word “winnytsia”, a brewery where beer was brewed. Also among the versions of the origin of the name is from the Vinnytsia River.

Vinnytsia acquired the status of a city in the 15th century, receiving Magdeburg law. Since then, it has been under the rule of Poland and the Russian Empire. In 1991, after gaining independence, the city turned into one of the tourist centers of Ukraine, because there are many interesting and notable places here.

Interesting Facts

• For a little over a month (February 2 – March 6, 1919), Vinnytsia was the capital of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.
• Vinnytsia is home to Europe’s largest water fountain.
• There are about 50 kilometers of bicycle paths in the city.
• The Vinnytsia TV tower has the tallest mast in the world.