14 June 2011, 11:35
On June 9-10, Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, took part in the presentation of the regional nominees of the campaign "Seven Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses and Palaces" in Crimea. During the press tour, Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, initiator of the campaign "Seven Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses and Palaces", together with journalists and partners of the campaign in the Crimea Andrii Sebchenko and Liudmyla Denysova visited four beautiful Crimean palaces: Massandra palace of Alexander III, Livadia Palace, Vorontsovsky Palace and Palace of Khans in Bahcesaray. The press tour was held in the framework of the campaign "Seven Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses and Palaces."
Visiting the nominees, the Deputy Chairman emphasized that the situation with Crimean palaces is much better than with other palaces in different Ukrainian regions, since their condition is quite good. However, he stressed that the main problem is the unauthorized construction near the palaces, since it destroys foundation and walls of the architectural monuments.
Discussing the situation with Palace of Khans in Bahcesaray, Mykola Tomenko stated that the local authorities should have assisted restoration in Bahcesaray palace.
Summing up, the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated, "Two or three objects from Crimea will definitely be represented in the final of the project." He also deems necessary to pay special attention to the fortress in Sudak, as it may be represented in the final.
The campaign "Seven Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses and Palaces" started in March 2010. Its goal is to compile the map of castles and fortresses of Ukraine and analyse the current state of monuments, raising their cultural and historical significance and involving them into the hotel and tourism infrastructure. In the result of the campaign, the finalists will be selected: seven wonderful fortresses and palaces of Ukraine and several fortresses and palaces under the threat of destruction and disappearance. The campaign includes several stages. Currently, 137 objects take part in the campaign "Seven Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses and Palaces." Khmelnytsk, Rivne, Volyn, Chernihiv regions and Kyiv have already presented their nominees.