Number of inhabitants: 57 179

Area (km²): 42,72 km²

The town of Pryluky was founded as a fortress by the end of the tenth century. Firstly, it was mentioned in Kyiv Principle Volodymyr Monomakh's "Instructions for His Children", in 1085. In 1239, the town was included into the Great Lithuanian Principality, but after the Russian-Lithuanian war it was joined to the Russian Empire. Since 1569, it became the town of the Polish State.

In 1630-40, Pryluky appeared as a relatively large Ukrainian town developing its own production and trade and converting gradually into an important administrative and military centre of Pryluky Cosack Regiment. In 1783, the town obtained the Magdeburg Right. Since 1802, it counted as a town of Poltava province, and from 1932 passed under the subordination of Chernihiv oblast (region).

In spite of the fact that during the Second World War the town of Pryluky was to a great extent destroyed, it is known today as one of the most ancient towns of Ukraine with valuable monuments of archaeological, historical, architectural and cultural significance. In 1995, Pryluky joined the League of Historical Cities of Ukraine.

The beautiful landscape on the banks of the river Udai where the town is located, includes a rich natural environment, together with deep cultural traditions and restored (during the last five years) squares, streets, buildings and monuments. All this makes Pryluky comfortable and attractive for its inhabitants. The short distance to the capital city, Kyiv, could provide good opportunities for tourism and culture development.

Heritage characteristics

Pryluky is a charming plot of Chernihiv historic land where the heroic glory of Cossacks, authentic ancient culture, mysterious traits and picturesque nature create an extraordinary combination. The town’s cultural heritage consists of rich archaeological history, an abundant collection of cultural and historic objects from different epochs, interesting architectural heritage dated from 17th-18th and 19th centuries, a set of churches and temples, preserved buildings of a small town from the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. In addition, the town is well-known for its artistic events, festivals and, above all, for its craft and art fairs – St Mykola and Vozdvyzhensky. No wonder that in 1995 Pryluky entered the League of Ancient Cities of Ukraine.

Expected achievements

• to elaborate an attractive idea and design for restoration and innovative use of historic building as a flagship project for the renovation of cultural life;
• to awaken public interest in cultural heritage to use as a tool for community development;
• to improve capacity building in order to attract grants and investments for further projects.

The COMUS project implementation area fully captures the historic part of the city. It is the surrounding area of the ancient fortress. The area of the project is in the archaeological zone of the first category of protection.

Local community priorities

• assessment of the architectural heritage, the building of V.P. Shkuratov, to restore and use it in an innovative way as a creative space;
• to improve the environment around the historic building and site as a single complex;
• to renovate neighbouring streets and improve their planning and view;
• to attract volunteers and NGOs for resolving local development projects;
• to impact, through project activities, the general strategy for town development.