25 October 2026
(Hola Pristan. PHOTO: most.ks.ua)
In the southern regions of Ukraine, where the Konka River flows into the Dnieper Delta, lies a small, picturesque, and once-quiet town—Hola Prystan. It harmoniously combines Cossack history, unique recreational potential, and its reputation as Ukraine’s “watermelon capital.” Intent introduces its readers to this unique place in its regular column, “The Amazing South.”
The town is located in the Skadovsk District of the Kherson Region, 18 kilometers from the regional capital. It is surrounded by a network of protected Dnieper floodplains. This network combines a variety of natural landscapes: numerous delta islands, Dnieper sand dunes (kuchugury), dry steppe areas, as well as lakes, marshes, and salt marshes.
The history of Hola Prystan dates back over 300 years, although archaeological finds (Bronze Age burial mounds and Scythian-Sarmatian settlements) indicate that humans have inhabited these lands for much longer.
The year 1709 is traditionally considered the date of Hola Prystan’s founding. In the early 18th century, a landing site called “Holy Pereviz” emerged on the Konka River. It was established by Ukrainian Cossacks who were settling the Dnieper Delta at that time. The crossing they built later became one of the centers of the settlement’s development.
In the second half of the 18th century, significant political changes influenced the settlement’s development. As a result of the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774, which ended with the signing of the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, the Russian Empire gained access to the Black Sea and a portion of the southern Ukrainian lands between the Dnieper and the Southern Bug. At the same time, the Crimean Khanate was declared independent from the Ottoman Empire, which paved the way for its subsequent annexation by Russia. In 1775, the Zaporizhian Sich was dissolved. Against the backdrop of these historical changes, new residents began arriving in the settlement, including refugees from other regions of Ukraine. Hola Prystan is first mentioned in written historical sources in 1786.
So why is the port “bare”? It is believed that the term “bare” in the settlement’s name directly reflected the characteristics of the local landscape: the left bank of the river in this area consisted of a vast expanse of shifting sands (part of the Oleshky Sands) with minimal vegetation. There were almost no trees or shrubs here.
In 1868, a county-run commercial wharf with storage facilities was built to replace the old wooden pier. The new infrastructure contributed to the development of river trade and transformed the settlement into an important regional trading center. At the end of the 19th century, a coastal navigation school was opened here to train specialists in river and coastal maritime navigation.
Another interesting chapter in the history of Hola Prystan was the first experiments in radio communication. In 1902, one of the first experimental civilian radiotelegraph lines on the territory of modern Ukraine was established between Kherson and Hola Prystan. The project was developed by electrical engineer E. O. Bukhgeim, chief mechanic of the Odessa Postal and Telegraph District. Equipment based on the Popov–Ducretet wireless telegraph system was used to transmit messages.
By the end of 1902, the installation of both stations was completed, but testing revealed a number of technical problems. In early 1903, a test transmission of messages from Kherson to Hola Prystan was successfully carried out, but establishing reliable two-way communication was never achieved. Nevertheless, the experiment became one of the earliest attempts to use wireless telegraphy for civilian purposes in Ukrainian territories.
In the 20th century, Hola Prystan experienced a series of difficult historical events. Between 1918 and 1920, during the Ukrainian Revolution and the ensuing hostilities, control of the settlement changed hands repeatedly. In 1923, Hola Prystan became a district center. Local residents suffered from the Holodomor of 1932–1933 and Stalinist repressions. During World War II, from September 13, 1941, to November 3, 1943, the town was under Nazi occupation.
In the postwar decades, Hola Prystan developed as a district economic and resort center. In 1958, it was granted city status. Agriculture, fishing, river transportation, and health resort activities remained key sectors of the local economy.
After Ukraine regained its independence, the city continued to develop its recreational potential. Hola Prystan was included in the list of settlements classified as resorts, approved by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on December 28, 1996, and updated in 1997.
Within the city limits are two lakes with protected status: Bobrove and Soliane.
Bobrove Lake is a landscape reserve of local significance, located on the outskirts of the city. The lake is part of the Dnipro Delta natural complex. The “Bobrove Lake” area is distinguished by the diversity of its flora and fauna. Among its species are those listed on Ukraine’s nature conservation lists.
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Bobrove Lake. PHOTO: thumb.wikimedia.org
Salt Lake is a relict body of water in the southeastern part of the city, formed on the site of the ancient Dnieper riverbed and known for the healing properties of its brine and mud. According to data published prior to its flooding in 2023, the lake was approximately 750 m long, 600 m wide, and its depth ranged from 0.42 to 1.2 m. The body of water was characterized by high water mineralization. The lake and the surrounding natural areas are part of the “Lake Soliane” hydrological reserve of national significance, covering an area of 120 hectares, which was established in 2016.
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Soliane Lake. PHOTO: thumb.wikimedia.org
It was the natural therapeutic resources of Soliane Lake that formed the basis for the creation of the “Gopri” Sanatorium, which for over 130 years has been one of the hallmarks of Hola Prystan. The health resort played an important role in the town’s development as a resort destination and in its economic growth.
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"Gopri" Sanatorium. PHOTO: vsesanatorii.com
The history of the sanatorium dates back to 1889, when a small mud therapy clinic was opened on the shore of the Salt Lake. Initially, the medical facility had only a few beds, but it gradually expanded. In 1914, a balneological resort was established here, which later became the renowned “Gopri” sanatorium.
Over time, the sanatorium became a year-round medical and health resort. Its infrastructure included a hydro-mud therapy center, a physical therapy building, a diagnostic laboratory, and an indoor pool with heated brine. An important part of the sanatorium was the therapeutic and resort park, covering an area of over 10 hectares, which provided ideal conditions for rest and recuperation.
The sanatorium’s therapeutic base was founded on the brine and sulfide-silt mud of the Salt Lake.
The brine has a sodium chloride composition and contains compounds of iodine, bromine, boron, and other trace elements. Its mineralization varies depending on the season and the intensity of evaporation. During the summer months, under the influence of solar heat, the concentration of salts increases, which can cause them to crystallize naturally at the bottom of the lake.
Sulfide-silt mud (peloids) consists of the lake’s bottom sediments with a high level of mineralization. They have a fine-grained structure, a color ranging from gray to black, and a characteristic odor of hydrogen sulfide. Due to their low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity, these muds are able to retain heat for a long time during therapeutic procedures. Their composition includes iron and silicon compounds, a complex of micro- and macronutrients, as well as biologically active organic substances.
The natural resources of the Salt Lake were used for balneological and mud therapy procedures. The sanatorium’s therapeutic focus included diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the peripheral nervous system, gynecological and urological conditions, as well as skin diseases.
The development of Hola Prystan has always depended on the characteristics of the local land. The Lower Dnieper sands stretch out around the city. These poor but light and warm sandy soils proved favorable for growing watermelons and cantaloupes. From the mid-20th century onward, the Holo Prystan District became one of Ukraine’s leading centers for melon and watermelon cultivation. In its heyday, large areas were planted with watermelons here. In addition to well-known varieties, local varieties and hybrids developed by breeders at the Institute of Southern Vegetable and Melon Growing were also actively cultivated.
Hola Prystan was one of the main shipping hubs for melon and watermelon produce in the south. Since road transport increased the cost of goods and watermelons could be damaged during transport, the use of river transport was of great economic importance.
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View of Hola Prystan from the Konka River. PHOTO: thumb.wikimedia.org
In 2017, the company “Nibulon” revived the tradition of transporting watermelons by barge from Hola Prystan to the Kyiv region. A vessel carrying 250 metric tons of watermelons departed from the pier of a local transshipment terminal, traveled down the Konka River into the Dnipro, and reached Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi in about four and a half days. From there, the produce was transported by truck to supermarkets in Kyiv. In 2018, 500 metric tons of melons, including cantaloupes, were transported along this route. River transport helped reduce the burden on highways, while the use of special containers minimized the risk of damage to the fruit.
Melon farming has become not only an important sector of the local economy but also an integral part of Hola Prystan’s cultural identity.
In the early 2000s, Hola Prystan focused on event tourism and gained popularity as the festival city of the Kherson region. The main venue for celebrations became the renovated city waterfront, stretching over a kilometer in length.
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The Hola Prystan Embankment. PHOTO: thumb.wikimedia.org
Two large-scale festivals were traditionally held here.
“Kupala Stars” (early July). This ethnic festival drew thousands of visitors. The waterfront turned into a fair featuring folk artisans, and the event culminated in performances by musical groups and nighttime Kupala rituals on the Konka River, including the floating of wreaths and the burning of effigies.
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"Kupala Stars" Festival. PHOTO: cdn4.suspilne.media
"Ukrainian Watermelon—A Sweet Wonder" (August). The region’s main culinary festival takes place at the height of the harvest. The highlight was the weighing of giant watermelons on the main stage. Some of them weighed over 30 kilograms. The festival showcased unusual varieties of watermelons, including seedless and yellow-fleshed ones, while artisans amazed visitors with their artistic carvings on the fruit. Guests were treated to local delicacies: salted watermelons and “nardek”—thick watermelon honey.
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"Ukrainian Watermelon—A Sweet Wonder" Festival. PHOTO: procherk.info
In 2008, a watermelon monument was erected on the city embankment of Hola Prystan, near the gazebo. The brightly colored concrete sculpture, 1.75 m tall and 1.20 m wide, depicts a giant striped watermelon with a slice cut off. The monument’s unveiling was timed to coincide with the sixth “Ukrainian Watermelon—A Sweet Wonder” festival.
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The watermelon monument in Hola Prystan. PHOTO: kavun.city
Later, the waterfront was adorned with two more sculptures dedicated to melon crops. In 2013, a melon monument appeared here, crafted in a bright, somewhat cartoonish style, and in 2015—a comical pumpkin with a mustache and eyebrows. Together, they formed a unique melon ensemble that has become one of the highlights of the city’s waterfront.
The full-scale Russian invasion in 2022 halted the development of Hola Prystan as a resort, economic, and tourist center. In the very first days of the war, the city found itself cut off from territory controlled by Ukraine. On March 28, 2022, Russian troops established direct control over the city, blocking all entry and exit points.
After the liberation of the right bank of the Kherson region and the regional capital in November 2022, Hola Prystan became a frontline city. Russian military forces used civilian infrastructure, including the grounds of the “Gopri” sanatorium, to station their units. Its proximity to the active combat zone posed a constant threat to residents and the city’s buildings.
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Consequences of Russian Aggression. COLLAGE: Inna Yurchenko
The hardest blow to the city was the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam on the night of June 6, 2023. Available evidence and investigation findings indicate that the dam was blown up from the inside while the structure was under the control of Russian troops. Due to Hola Prystan’s location on the low-lying left bank of the Dnipro Delta, the city suffered catastrophic flooding. According to estimates by the local military administration, approximately 85% of the city’s territory was submerged. Residential neighborhoods, private homes, the riverfront, and urban infrastructure were flooded. In some places, the water reached the roofs of single-story buildings.
The evacuation of the civilian population took place under extremely difficult conditions. According to local authorities and residents, the occupying administration failed to provide adequate assistance to those affected. People sought refuge on the roofs of buildings and suffered from a lack of drinking water, food, and medicine. Local volunteers used their own boats to try to evacuate residents from the flooded neighborhoods. The exact number of fatalities in Hola Prystan remains unknown due to limited access to the occupied territory.
The catastrophic flooding also damaged the city’s natural areas. In particular, a decrease in salinity was recorded in the Salt Lake, known for its therapeutic resources. This has jeopardized the future use of the lake for balneological purposes. A comprehensive assessment of the environmental consequences of the flooding and the condition of the therapeutic mud will require specialized research once access to the territory is restored.
As of October 2026, Hola Prystan remains under Russian occupation. A significant portion of the residents has left the city, and those who remain are living under severe humanitarian restrictions. According to a report by the Hola Prystan City Military Administration dated October 20, 2026, the city has been without a stable electricity supply for over nine months, and the gas supply has been cut off for over fifteen months. Due to power outages, the water supply system is not functioning, so people are forced to use hand pumps and cook food over open fires or in outdoor stoves.
The city, which once attracted vacationers with its healing lakes, festivals, and melon-growing traditions, is now going through one of the most difficult periods in its history.
Юлія Сичова
Oct. 24, 2026
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