Введение Baturyn of the Hetmanate Period Hall

In 1669, Baturyn became the administrative center of Ukraine. Was it like London or Paris at the time? You can learn about this by visiting the Baturyn Museum of Archeology.

Hetman Demian Ihnatovych was the first to arrange his residence in Baturyn. As archaeologists have established, in the city center, on the Baturyn Fortress Citadel, he had his palace. Ihnatovych contributed to the transformation of Baturyn into an important military center. The wars were a part of everyday life for Europe of that time. Therefore, the Hetman had to be confident in the strength of the army to protect the interests of Ukraine. The times of Demian Ihnatovych rule in the museum's collection are presented by unique Cossack weapons: pistol, saber, and cannonballs.

The next Hetman Ivan Samoilovych continued to build up his residence in Baturyn and built one more Hetman's Palace here. He filled the interiors of his palaces with luxury to meet the status of a ruler of the European state. He contributed to the construction of the church in Baturyn. The Hetman invited the European architect Adam Zernikau to fortify the fortress.

The greatest rise of Baturyn is associated with Ivan Mazepa, the next Hetman of Ukraine. It was the time when the Hetman's Capital reached its peak. The traditions of Hetman's administration are illustrated by original archaeological findings starting from personal belongings of the Ukrainian nobility to the money of European states that were then in circulation.

Hetman Mazepa built his main residence as the royals did in Honcharivka, Baturyn suburb. We can compare it to the modern Windsor Castle of the English royal family.

The refined style, elegance and excellent taste of Hetman Ivan Mazepa and the Ukrainian Cossack elite are represented by the exhibit items of the Baturyn Museum of Archeology such as precious weapons, Turkish porcelain dishes and Bohemian glass.

At the peak of its rise, Baturyn fell a victim to the struggle for the independence of Ukraine. By order of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, his army destroyed the Hetman's Capital of Ivan Mazepa. This happened on November 2, 1708. Ashes of the fire, ruins and numerous remains of victims with traces of violent death were found by archaeologists in Baturyn. It was the immediate death of an entire city! The Baturyn Museum of Archeology presents irrefutable evidence of this tragic event: burned and destroyed household items, remains of destroyed weapons, photos of the graves and paintings by Ukrainian artists dedicated to this event. In combination they reveal in detail the tragic event in the history of the Ukrainian state.