Mysterious Bakota is an interesting place for a weekend car trip

This year’s summer vacation is different from any previous one. But, no matter what, everyone should abstract from work, news and sirens. A vacation in Bakota is a great vacation solution. The mighty reservoir and its steep slopes, inspiring camping, fishing, interesting tourist routes and fascinating stories about the flooded village on the Dniester – all this is definitely worth your attention. So, book a car and spend the last days of summer brightly.

The story of the flooded village

Bakota is a village in Khmelnytsk region, which is also called the Ukrainian Atlantis. Why? It has not existed on the map of the country for a long time, because in 1973 the government decided to flood the village with the waters of the Dniester due to the construction of a hydroelectric plant.

It became a tragedy for thousands of villagers, because they had to leave their homes and farms. It took 8 years for the locals to move and clean up the village, and already in 1981 the river level gradually began to rise.

Bakota was bustling with life before the flooding. According to some sources, it is known that about 1,000 people lived there. It was the capital and the most important political and administrative center of the Ponyzzia region (now Podillia) at that time. The cultural and spiritual center of the village was and is the Bakota rock monastery on Bila Mountain. Until 1996, there were also caves and tombs with murals and frescoes of the 11-13 centuries, but the collapse of the mountain destroyed most of the monuments.

What to see?

The main village beauty has remained unchanged – it is the Bakota Bay with the steep banks of the Dniester, dense gardens and a striking panorama. Now this area is the territory of the largest in Europe National Nature Park Podilski Tovtry, which is home to many red-list plants and animals. There are no analogues of this park in the world, only in Australia and Switzerland, but their toltras are in the water, and ours are on land.

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Bakota climate is compared to the Crimea: because of the rocky shores, it is very soft and warm, so it is a great alternative to the sea. Here you can relax on the beach, sleep in a tent on the mountain, go hiking or biking in the park trail, ride a boat or catamaran, catch fish and grill it, do yoga or triathlon, and most importantly – meet a breathtaking sunrise or sunset.

The main Bakota landmark is the remains of the Mykhailivskyi cave monastery. It is said that it was built back in 2000 BC by pagans, and in the 11th century AD it became Christian. Three springs with healing water flow near the monastery. Pilgrims from different parts of the world came here to see these springs and the monastery, so there are many small icons and ribbons left by believers of different religions.

After getting acquainted with Bakota, you can continue your journey and see interesting places near Kamianets Podilskyi, which is located 55 km from Bakota, or Khotyn, located in 60 km.

How to get to Bakota?

The most comfortable way to get to the flooded village on the Dniester is to rent a car. The road to Bakota is not in the best condition, so for such a trip you will need an off-road vehicle with high ground clearance. We at 7Cars will find the best car for this trip, and we will deliver it to any place that is convenient for you.

If you plan a budget trip, the only way to get here is to take a shuttle bus to the nearest village of Horaivka or Stara Ushytsia. After arrival, you will need to walk 3 kilometers to get to Bakota. Unfortunately, there are no direct buses here, but perhaps there are taxis.

Where to stay?

Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose among a tent, a trailer, a private house or a relax complex. It is not necessary to take a tent from home, here you will find several campsites with summer showers and a cafe. All accommodation options can be found in the online maps.

Tip: Plan your trip in advance and save up to 15% of the rental price by booking a car early.

Travel through Ukraine, come to Bakota and be filled with the power and majesty of incredible nature. This place is sure to give you peace of mind and recharge your energy!