A memorial sign of navigation on the Dniester, Halych

Near one of Halych 's original landmarks, an old metal bridge built in 1910, on the right bank of the river, there is a memorial sign to the navigation of the Dniester. It's hard to believe now, but just a few decades ago the river was navigable at this point. For centuries, it served as the main transportation artery connecting Prykarpattia and Galicia, Podillia and Bessarabia with the Balkans and the Middle East. The memorial sign of navigation on the Dniester was erected to preserve the historical memory of that time for posterity, and to ensure that the names of those who initiated water traffic on the river in its modern form are not forgotten.

Officially, navigation on the Dniester has existed since 1862. Cargo and passenger transportation was organized along a stretch of more than 300 kilometers. A river port was built in Halych. There were berths, a coal warehouse, and a railroad line. Until the forties of the last century, steamers and auxiliary vessels were running on the river.

As of 1936, the Public Water Association in Stanislaviv owned more than 5 hundred Dniester vessels. In particular:

• 57 sport boats;
• 10 pleasure boats;
• 383 fishing boats;
• 42 transport vessels for economic needs;
• 31 rescue vessels in case of floods;
• kayaks and motor boats.

In addition, barges and ferries were used on the Dniester, mainly for transporting wood, hay, and livestock from one bank to the other. There were also walking river tours and even yachting.

After the end of World War II, the river was completely within the territory of the Soviet Union, and navigation began to develop again. Initially, the Dniester was navigable in some sections, as part of the river was blocked by rapids and in some places by shallow water. Eventually, ship traffic was established from the mouth to Halych. Large settlements had marinas and even river stations. After 1980, shipping on the Dniester declined.

The memorialsign of navigation on the Dniester was installed at the initiative of the General Directorate of the Ancient Halych National Reserve in August 2015. It is a composition of rock stones with a built-in tablet. Next to it is an anchor that was found in the water and raised from the bottom of the river.

You canget to thememorial sign of navigation on the Dniester from the city center of Halych, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and other nearby cities by car, following the H09 road, or by public buses. It is also easy to get there by train (to the Halych station). From the train station to the city center you have to walk (about 20 minutes). The path runs across a metal pedestrian bridge, next to which a memorial sign is located on the right bank.