Exhibition: “Sea Campaigns of the Zaporozhians and the Khortytsia Shipyard”

Exhibition: “Sea Campaigns of the Zaporozhians and the Khortytsia Shipyard”

The Khortytsia National Reserve and the Sheremetyev Museum (Kyiv) organized the exhibition, which began on November 5, 2025, at the historical and cultural complex “Zaporozhian Sich.”

The grand opening was attended by Valeriy Shevchenko, the Reserve’s General Director, Oleksiy Sheremetyev, a prominent collector, philanthropist, and historian of Ukrainian heritage, co-founder of the Sheremetyev Museum, and Georgyi Shapovalov, a renowned Ukrainian historian and archaeologist, professor, and Doctor of Historical Sciences. The event also brought together leading specialists from the Reserve, who are experts in historical and archaeological research and restoration.

The development of shipbuilding in Ukraine demonstrates Ukrainians’ technological proficiency. Ukrainian shipping researchers consider shipbuilding to be one of the essential state-building factors that undoubtedly strengthened the military and economic components of Ukrainian life.

The naval activity of the Zaporozhian Cossacks is one of the brightest pages in Ukrainian history. From the beginning, the Cossacks developed as a naval force. The island of Mala Khortytsia was the outpost of this force. The Khortytsia Sich was located there, and a shipyard later appeared. Research confirms the Cossacks’ deep knowledge of maritime affairs, shipbuilding traditions, and manufacturing techniques.

The exhibition recreates an ancient military ship, allowing modern visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of maritime competitions from our ancestors’ time. The presented artifacts—maps, anchors, cannons, rigging elements, personal items, tools, and coins—reveal the peculiarities of boat-building and shipping processes, as well as the everyday lives of Cossack sailors.

Items from the Khortytsia National Reserve and the Sheremetyev Museum’s collection, which is known for its unique artifacts from the Cossack era, are included in the exhibition.

For the Khortytsia National Reserve, the opening of this exhibition is an important event since our collaboration with the Sheremetyev Museum has enabled us to create an exhibition that helps our visitors better understand the history of the Zaporozhian Cossacks and Ukrainian statehood.

Dear Zaporozhians and guests of the city! We invite you to visit our new exhibition and be inspired by Ukrainian history!

Admission to the exhibition is free. You only need to purchase an entrance ticket to the historical and cultural complex “Zaporozhian Sich”.