«Kalytianska Dacha» is a landscape nature reserve of national significance in Brovary Raion, between the urban-type settlement of Kalyta and the village of Zavorychi, 50 km north-east of Kyiv. It covers 1,162 hectares and protects deciduous forests with oak, ash, and linden, which are rare for the Left-Bank region, as well as wetlands with rich vegetation. Two orchids listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine grow here.
Deciduous forest on the Left Bank
The reserve was declared by a presidential decree on August 20, 1996. It occupies several dozen quarters of the Semypolky Forestry of the Kyiv Forest Enterprise. Most Polissian forests around are pine, but deciduous ones prevail here: common oak, common ash, and littleleaf linden mixed with Norway maple. Exotic Amur cork tree has been planted in some places. Beneath the trees grow ground elder, greater stitchwort, and hairy sedge. Among them grow orchids such as common twayblade and broad-leaved helleborine, which are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
Wetlands in depressions
Waterlogged fens lie in valley-like depressions. Sedges such as Hudson Bay sedge and slender tufted sedge grow here, alongside tall common reed and broadleaf cattail, as well as thickets of grey willow. Small patches of alder swamps with marsh fern also occur. Such a combination of oak woodland and wetlands makes the reserve interesting for observing birds and animals.
Kalyta — settlement of windmills
Kalyta was first mentioned in a Polish lustratio of 1628, and in 1666 there were 18 homesteads here. According to one legend, the name comes from a proud miller nicknamed Kalyta, meaning «money pouch». According to another, the settlement was founded by a Cossack named Kalyta who arrived here by boat; he was buried on a high bank, and a church was built on his grave. The modern Saint Nicholas Church stands on the site of the ancient Cossack one. Kalyta lies on a windy elevation, and at the beginning of the 20th century, 62 windmills operated here — a golden windmill is featured on the settlement’s coat of arms.
Nearby, in Semypolky, ran the ancient Dukes’ Road from Kyiv to Chernihiv. Not far away lies the «Zalissia» National Park.
How to get there
Kalyta is 55 km from the centre of Kyiv along the Chernihiv highway (M-01) via Brovary; there is regular bus service from Kyiv. The reserve is located in the forests between Kalyta and Zavorychi.
Tip
After 2022, the forests of Brovary region were checked by sappers, but walk only along roads and paths. Only photograph the orchids. The best time to visit is May and June, when the oak woodland is in bloom. More about the region can be found in the article about Kyiv Polissia.
