"Rovenki Revisited" Roven'ki by hunterV

Roven'ki Travel Guide: 45 reviews and 262 photos

Dzerzhinsky Street, Rovenki, Ukraine - Roven'ki

Always Another Chance

I visited this city before, but I have never spent four days in the city, like I did last time.
I was there in 1998 with my Austrian partners who had paid several visits to Rovenki within the framework of their historical research on Ukrainian young people's forced labor in Germany during the Second World War. My Austrian partner Margarethe, a historian and a teacher, wrote a book about the fate of the Ukrainian "Ostarbeiter" - Ukrainian teenagers who were deported to Germany in 1942 to work in what is now Vorarlberg, Austria.
The book written by Margarethe Ruff
In April 2007 my Austrian partners invited me to work with them again visiting those veterans who used to work in Austria during the war. So I had another chance of staying in Rovenki, this time for four days.
Delegation from Rovenki in Austria
In December 2008 the Austrian group came to Rovenki again and my Austrian fruiends needed my help as an interpreter again.

Industrial Center of Luhansk Region

Downtown Rovenki, Luhansk region, Ukraine

Rovenki is not far from Luhansk – just an hour’s drive by bus - about 60 km (37 miles) to the southeast.
The city occupies a large area together with its numerous suburbs - ten small coalminers’ settlements and fourteen villages– 217 sq.km (about 84 sq.mi), a little less than the territory of Luhansk.
About 100,000 inhabitants live in Rovenki with all its suburbs, among them about 87,000 residents live in the city itself.
The official data of the city council says the average age of the residents is 40 years old.
The city’s industrial base includes 27 enterprises, 9 construction enterprises, 180 small businesses and about 2,000 private entrepreneurs.
There are seven coalmines in the city.

Some more information about the city on the Internet is only in Russian:
Information and communication center of Rovenki;
”Svetilen” Orthodox Journal of the Southeast of Ukraine
Photos of Rovenki
Dozens of photos of Rovenki
Rovenki News

Memories of the Last War

Young Guards memorial, Rovenki, Ukraine

Rovenki was mentioned for the first time in 1705.
There were two settlements of Russian Don Cossacks on the territory of the present city: Novy Aydar and Ossinovy Rovenyok. Then it was mentioned as Ossinovy Rovenyok or simply Rovenyok.
The city has always been famous for its coalmining enterprises (seven coalmines) and “Young Guards” memorial. The Young Guards war memorial is called “Slava” ("Glory") Memorial Complex. It was dedicated in December 1982.
It was a must for many Soviet schoolchildren to visit that city to pay tribute to the heroic deeds of “Young Guards” underground organization that consisted of young people who had remained in the city during the Nazi occupation in 1942 and conducted a lot of subversive activities against the invaders. They were arrested and executed in January 1943 in Rovenki. The tomb of their leaders was a place of pilgrimage of Young Communist League members during Soviet times.
This tomb is visited now by school children and young people from all over Luhansk region and from Ukraine and Russia.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots of Soviet monuments and memorials; the biggest number of operating coalmines in the region
Cons:The roads and pavements leave much to be desired…
In a nutshell:Friendly Coalminers’ City

Last visit to Roven'ki: Dec 2008
Intro Updated Aug 13, 2011
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Reviews (45)

A Stroll in the Woods Warnings and Dangers (3)

Be careful when you have a stroll in the nearby woods. Also, be prepared to see the woods in an aweful state: dirty and... more travel advice

Miss Rovenki Show Local Customs (5)

Miss Rovenki beauty contests became a tradition in the city. It is held every fall at the conference center. The show... more travel advice

An interview at "Nika TV", Rovenki - Roven'ki

Nika TV Local Customs (5)

Nika TV is the name of the local privart TV studio. Its HQ is on the third floor of the city conference center. We were... more travel advice

The Cross city entrance sign and the monument - Roven'ki

Useful Phone Numbers Favorites (6)

These are some updated phone numbers in the city. To call Rovenki from outside you have to dial +38 06433, if you call... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (1)
Nothing Special
What to Pack (1)
Torch By All Means
Hotels (5)
See All Our Stay at the Sanatorium
Shopping (3)
See All Lots of New Stores
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Visiting War Memorial Places

Things to Do (8)
See All Walking About the City Park
Transportation (3)
See All Railway Station
Restaurants (4)
See All Georgian Cuisine
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Sports in the Yards
Nightlife (1)
Young People's Retreat

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (26)

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Yaqui Sep 16, 2011 at 7:01 AM

The memorials are all beautiful. I wish more countries would do them. The Shish Kebab Place with Georgian Cuisine looks very interesting. I always enjoy your pages. Nice job!
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msbrandysue Nov 7, 2010 at 11:02 AM

What an interesting city you've showcased!!
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BruceDunning Oct 6, 2010 at 3:48 PM

The progress in the city shows well, and you must have liked the culture. Good job of describing the sites and comments are helpful
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IngaA Jul 21, 2010 at 6:14 AM

When I was 13 my mom bought me a pair of leather slippers made in Rovenki. Beleive it or not I still wear them, the quality is so high that they overlived many other shoes. And they're so comfortable! Well done, Rovenki!
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deecat Jul 3, 2010 at 8:36 PM

Fascinating. I feel as though I know the town once I have completed the reading..the monuments, parks, streets, architecture, history, & many insights you present
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Pawtuxet May 28, 2010 at 5:45 AM

What a sweet little chapel! It's quite beautiful. I find the gold amazing. How does it stay so shiny?
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morne Apr 14, 2010 at 2:13 PM

It all looks so nice, thanks for sharing with us and your photo's are great
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Kuznetsov_Sergey Mar 18, 2010 at 12:43 PM

Gtreat uodates since September, 2008. A very comprehensive page with many details and useful info. Thank you Victor for this virtual tour!
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WStat Jan 30, 2010 at 5:15 AM

Hi Victor ! Thank you for remembering those, who had the sad fate of being forced laborers during ww2 in Germany and Austria!
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Andrew_W_K Nov 20, 2009 at 6:31 AM

Love the tip about the mansions Victor. I work for a company that supply PVC windows and doors and they would love your description.