Kropyvnytskyi

Kropyvnytskyi emerged in the 18th century as a military stronghold in the southern part of Ukrainian lands. In 1754, the Fortress of Saint Elizabeth was established on the Inhul River, and a settlement gradually grew around it. Its strategic position made the fortress an important defensive point while also encouraging trade and crafts in the surrounding area.

During the 19th century, the city developed into a notable commercial and cultural center. It went through several names, including Yelisavetgrad, Zinovyevsk, and later Kirovo. The city became particularly significant for Ukrainian theater: in the late 19th century, Marko Kropyvnytskyi and other cultural figures helped establish a professional Ukrainian theatrical tradition that left a lasting mark on the country's cultural history.

In 2016, the city officially adopted the name Kropyvnytskyi in honor of the prominent Ukrainian theater figure Marko Kropyvnytskyi. Today, it is the administrative center of Kirovohrad Oblast and an important industrial, educational, and cultural hub of central Ukraine. Its historic heritage remains visible in its architecture, theaters, monuments, and traditions.