Holy Ascension church with mills, Vodianyky

On Dutch postcards, windmills line the canals of Kinderdijk. In the village of Vodianyky in Cherkasy region, three wooden windmills stand on a hill above a Cossack church — and visitors keep asking whether this is really Ukraine.

It is. Here, locals simply decided that a "Holland-style" view could be built at home too — with a Ukrainian character and a wooden church thrown in for good measure.

Location card

What it is and why visit

Vodianyky is a small village in the Zvenyhorodka district that, in recent years, has become a minor tourist star of the Cherkasy region. Two attractions work as a pair here: the wooden Holy Ascension Church in Cossack style, and the windmills on the hill behind it.

This is the perfect "day trip" destination: arrive, stroll around, snap a dozen photos that all your friends will mistake for shots from abroad. People come here year-round — in summer surrounded by greenery, and in winter when the windmills are dusted with snow.

History

The village's main landmark is the Holy Ascension Church, built as an extremely faithful replica of a 17th-century Cossack-era church. It was built with funds and support from village native Oleksandr Cherevko, and was consecrated by Kyiv Patriarch Filaret in 2009.

The church is made of wood, true to the Cossack-era style it replicates. Next to it stands a matching wooden bell tower. Its special pride is a carved iconostasis in Ukrainian Baroque style — entirely without gilding, just as it would have been in the era when carving craftsmanship was valued over the shine of gold.

An iconostasis with no gilding at all isn't about cutting costs — it's a principle: this is exactly how the church's wooden "ancestors" would have looked three centuries ago.

And on the hill behind the church stand the windmills. They're what earned Vodianyky its nickname "Ukraine's Kinderdijk" — named after the Dutch village famous for its mills.

Legends and lore

Vodianyky's young tourist fame doesn't stop it from having its own stories.

1. The wish-granting mill

A local saying goes: make a wish by a windmill only when the wind is turning its sails. If it's standing still, wait for the weather to change. Practical and poetic at once.

2. "The Holland that never was"

Visitors joke that Vodianyky is "the Holland you don't need a visa for." The joke has long since become a local brand, and villagers have grown used to it — even take pride in it.

What to see on site

Holy Ascension Church. A wooden church in Cossack style with a carved Baroque iconostasis without gilding. The village's main historic treasure.

Windmills on the hill. Three windmills that deliver that signature "Dutch" shot. The best light is at sunrise and sunset.

View from the hill. A panorama of the village and surroundings opens up from here — classic, gentle Cherkasy countryside.

Getting there

By car. The most convenient option. Head for Zvenyhorodka (about 30 km away), from which a road leads to Vodianyky. From Cherkasy it's about 150 km.

Public transport. Buses run to Zvenyhorodka from the regional capital and nearby towns; from there, local transport or a taxi gets you to the village.

Tips. The village is small — the church and windmills can be covered on foot in a single walk. The Cherkasy region is further from the front line, but the general rule about air-raid alerts still applies.

Traveler's checklist

• A camera — Vodianyky's main "souvenir" is purely visual.
• Comfortable shoes — the climb up to the windmills.
• Modest clothing for the church — it's an active place of worship.
• Water and snacks — cafes here are few.

What NOT to do: be loud or disrespectful inside the church, or climb the windmill structures for a dramatic shot.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Vodianyky called Ukraine's Kinderdijk?

Because of the windmills on the hill behind the church — the view recalls the Dutch village of Kinderdijk, famous for its mills.

Can you go inside the church?

Yes, it's an active church. Just dress modestly and behave respectfully, especially during services.

When is the best time to come for photos?

At sunrise or sunset: the side light beautifully shapes the windmills' silhouettes. In winter, snow-covered mills create a mood all their own.

How much time should I plan for the village?

1–2 hours is enough for the church, windmills, and a photo walk.

Vodianyky proves a simple point: sometimes a trip to the next region over is all it takes for a "from-abroad" photo. Except instead of Dutch canals, there's a Cossack church — and instead of crowds of tourists, the quiet of a Cherkasy village.

Make a wish by the windmill when its sails start turning — they say it works. And even if it doesn't, you'll get your "Ukraine's Kinderdijk" shot either way.