The focal point of the city centre is the circular Korpusny Park, laid out in the early 19th century in an attempt to emulate the grand planning ideals of St Petersburg. Eight streets radiate off the plaza, and in its centre rises the Iron Column of Glory, topped by a golden eagle. Southeast of Korpusny Park, the city's main pedestrian drag – ul Sobornosti – leads down to verdant Soniachny Park.
![Memorial column with the national flags of Ukraine and green flower beds of the city park, Korpusny Park in Poltava, Ukraine.](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2023-05/iStock-1313324870.jpg?w=1920&h=640&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cedges&auto=format&q=75)
© Konoplytska/Getty Images/iStock
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.61 MILES
Located on the southeast edge of Zhovtnevy Park, the museum exhibits random archaeological and cultural artefacts, its collection almost overshadowed by…
23.24 MILES
Nikolai Gogol wouldn't have been able to describe the life of Russian landowners in his most famous book, Dead Souls, had he not been a landowner himself:…
0.84 MILES
Vul Zhovtneva terminates on a bluff at Cathedral Sq, the prettiest little spot in Poltava, with sweeping views of Khrestovozdvyzhensky Monastery across…
Museum-Preserve of Ukrainian Pottery
26.7 MILES
An old potters' village, Opishnya has revived the craft by opening this interesting museum where you can see lots traditional and not-so-traditional…
0.93 MILES
Just behind Uspenska Church, surrounded by a lovely flower garden, this is the lovingly restored former home of Ivan Kotlyarevsky (1739–1838), one of the…
0.68 MILES
A block northwest of maydan Soborny up vul Parizskoyi Komuny is the quaint Spaska Church (1705), with its rebuilt bell tower. It's faced by an odd…
2.83 MILES
The famous battle was fought over a large area around what's now vul Zinkivska, about 7km north of the city centre. The best starting point is the Poltava…
Khrestovozdvyzhensky Monastery
1.22 MILES
About 3km east of Korpusny Park is the early 18th-century Khrestovozdvyzhensky Monastery (Elevation of the Cross). The main cathedral is one of only two…
Nearby attractions
1. Poltava Museum of Local Lore
0.61 MILES
Located on the southeast edge of Zhovtnevy Park, the museum exhibits random archaeological and cultural artefacts, its collection almost overshadowed by…
0.68 MILES
A block northwest of maydan Soborny up vul Parizskoyi Komuny is the quaint Spaska Church (1705), with its rebuilt bell tower. It's faced by an odd…
0.84 MILES
Vul Zhovtneva terminates on a bluff at Cathedral Sq, the prettiest little spot in Poltava, with sweeping views of Khrestovozdvyzhensky Monastery across…
0.93 MILES
Just behind Uspenska Church, surrounded by a lovely flower garden, this is the lovingly restored former home of Ivan Kotlyarevsky (1739–1838), one of the…
5. Khrestovozdvyzhensky Monastery
1.22 MILES
About 3km east of Korpusny Park is the early 18th-century Khrestovozdvyzhensky Monastery (Elevation of the Cross). The main cathedral is one of only two…
2.82 MILES
Displays include artefacts related to Poltava battle, maps and Tsar Peter's original uniform.
2.83 MILES
The famous battle was fought over a large area around what's now vul Zinkivska, about 7km north of the city centre. The best starting point is the Poltava…
16.4 MILES
An endearingly old-fashioned museum, only slightly updated since the Brezhnev era, has the compulsory stuffed-animal section and interesting exhibits…