Yaremche
Yaremche is a low-climate health resort which is located at a height of 550 - 585 m above the sea level. It is surrounded by the mountain ranges of Gorgany and Yavirnyk. Yaremche lies in the shallow gully, as though a pearl in a wonderful shell. It is the most famous recreation and health-improving centre of the region. The town is situated over the headlong river Prut, running between the colourful mountains. The most of the Carpathian tourist routes cross in this very place. The waterfall Probiy and the bridge over it are considered to be the most interesting attractions. Being on the bridge, you can watch like every seconds Prut throws down the tons of water into the stone bowl, created by the nature itself. And if you are lucky, you will see the exciting show - the men of courage jumping from the bridge straight into the falls' whirlpool.
Alongside, there is a lively and busy souvenir market, where you can buy wonderful hand-made works of art. You may also visit the old wooden churches of Yaremche, which were built in the end of the 16th and in the beginning of the 17th centuries.
The first mention of Yaremche refers to 1787. It was a settlement, belonging to the ancient village of Dora (the 16th century), situated nearby.
Starting with the latter half of the 10th century, the Carpathian region used to be a part of a powerful state Kyivska Rus. However, frequent internal misunderstandings and wars weakened the centralized state and caused the formation of a number of separate princedoms. Since 1144, Prycarpattya belonged to the Halych Princedom, and in 1199 it formed a part of the Halych-Volyn Princedom, which, as a result of exhausting domestic contradictions, became the encroaching target for the steppe nomads - Tatars and Turks, as well as for the militant neighbours - Ugrians. In the second half of the 14th century, Prycarpattya fell under the authority of Poland, and after the lapse of another 400 years, the region became a part of Austria.
Above all, the foreign regimes consisted in plundering the riches of Prycarpattya and enslavement of native people. Being incapable of bearing oppressions, many countrymen took up arms or escaped up to the mountains. In such a way, a lot of the Carpathian settlements, including Yaremche, were founded.
Under the local legends, more than 200 years ago, a fugitive from feudal oppression and slavery Yarema Hodovanets settled here. He cultivated a piece of the land, grown by thick wood, and built a house. Shortly after, other runaways joined him.
The nearest villages of Dora and Yamna are considerably older than Yaremche.
Dora is located over the Prut - at the very spot, where the fleeting river is almost released from high mountain streams. As the researchers claim, the village was named after a woman who, seeking peace in her mind, settled in this beautiful place; according to another version, the word "dora" has a Turkic origin and means "a gate, an entrance". From the end of the 19th till the beginning of the 20th centuries, the village used to be called Dora-Yaremche. It played a significant part in social and political life of the whole community. In summertime, many holiday-makers would stay in Dora. Iryna Vilde, the Ukrainian writer, had her summer residence in this picturesque surrounding. On the 30th of December, 1977, the town of Yaremche was granted a status of regional subordination. Besides the villages of Dora and Yamna, the Yaremche Klyuch includes the following settlements: Mykulychyn, Tatariv, Yablunytsa, Vorokhta, Polyanytsa and Voronenka. The population of the territory of the City Council amounts to 21,4 thousand people. There are 46 recreation centres and more than 100 private country-seats, which provide service for the visitors.
Mount Yavirnyk-Gorgany (1432 m above sea level) and Mount Makovytsa (985 m) are the nearest peaks to the neighbourhood. Further, to the south-east of Yaremche, you can see the eminent mountain range Rokyta. Velyka Rokyta (1110 m) is one of the highest mountains of the range. Not far westwards, Dovbushanka Mount (1755 m) and closer by - Synyachka Mount (1401 m) raise their tops high into the air.
Quite a number of routes pass through the Yaremche tourist zone. The most famous walking route runs across the mountain range of Chornohora, combining all five Ukrainian peaks over 2000 m in height. This range is of the greatest interest for tourists. Polonynas, as the natives call the subalpine meadows, spread at a height of more than 1400 metres beyond the forest boundary.
