Kropyvnytskyi

History

History of Kirovohrad starts from Fort of St. Elizabeth. This fort was builded in 1754 by the order of empress Elizabeth Petrovna. This fort had a role of important pivot on the new lands added to Russia by the Belgrad Peace Treaty of 1739.

In 1764 settlement received status of the center of the Elizabeth province.

In 1784 settlement received status of chief town of a district and was named by the name of fort - Elisavetkhrad.

This city changed it's name many times:

1784 - Elisavetkhrad

1924 - Zinovyevsk

1934 - Kirovo

1939 - Kirovohrad

Fort of St. Elizabeth was located on the crossroad of trade-route, and became trade center. City has holded regular fairs 4 times in a year. Merchants from all Russian Empire have been visiting this fairs. Also, there was a lot of foreign merchants, especially from Greece.

First Ukrainian theatre was builded in Kirovohrad. Founders of Ukrainian theatre are: M. Kropivnycki, I. Karpenko-Karyi, M. Zankovecka, P. Saksaganski, M. Sadovski.