Truhanov



Trukhaniv Island (Ukrainian: Труханів острів, translit.: Trukhaniv ostriv) is an island located on the Dnieper River opposite the historic Podil neighbourhood of the city of Kiev. It has an area of 4.5 km2 (1.7 sq mi). The island is mostly covered by greenery, like the Hidropark island nearby. Until 1957, the only method of transportation to the island was by boat in the summer or by crossing the ice in the winter. In 1957, the Park Pedestrian Bridge was built, easing the travel to and from the island. Trukhaniv Island contains numerous cafés, restaurants, sport complexes, and the largest and the cleaned city beaches. The island is not only popular for its numerous leisure activities, but it is also popular for fishing on the Dnieper River. In the summer, some parts of the island are used for biking and in the winter some parts are used for cross country skiing. In the summer of 2005, tourists travelling to see the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 were housed on Trukhaniv Island. Folk etymology derives the island's name from Tugor-khan, who won a victory over Kiev and whose daughter married Prince Sviatopolk II of Kiev. The summer residence of his daughter and her husband was allegedly named in honor of Tugor-khan, although in truth his name is mentioned but once in Slavonic chronicles. In 1534 the island came under control of the Pustynno-Mykilsky monastery, and was later returned to the city in 1698. The first buildings on the island were erected in the beginning of the 19th century. During the 1880s, the first businesses began to appear on the island. During the Second World War German forces completely destroyed the island settlements in order to have better control and a clearer view of the city of Kiev. In post-war times, the island was not rebuilt as a settlement, but as a leisure center.
 * History**