Zamkova Hora, Nature reserve in Podil district, Kyiv, Ukraine
Zamkova Hora is a nature reserve with a 174-meter hill in Kyiv and stands as one of 18 elevations throughout the city. The slopes are steep, and plant life varies across different sections depending on sun exposure and soil conditions.
A Lithuanian castle with 18 towers stood on the hill during medieval times, built under Vytautas the Great. An 18th-century cemetery nearby shows how the hill continued to hold importance for the local population centuries later.
The hill has served as a gathering place for local residents over centuries, with stone monuments scattered across its slopes reflecting its role as a meeting point.
A public trail winds to the top and is easy to follow throughout your visit. Local transportation connects central Kyiv to the reserve entrance, making it accessible for day trips.
The hill shelters bat colonies, Syrian woodpeckers, gray woodpeckers, and small mammals including marmots. This mix of species makes it a wildlife haven within the urban landscape.
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