European Heritage of Ukraine

Donbas (short for the Donets Basin) is a historical, cultural, and economic region in eastern Ukraine, primarily encompassing the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Known as Ukraine’s iron heart, Kryvbas (the Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Basin) is one of the world's largest mining centers, famous for its massive open-pit quarries, heavy industrial heritage, and rich French-driven 19th-century history.

Bounding Ukraine’s southern steppe and Azov coast, the historical Tavria region grew into a vital agricultural and industrial gateway in the 19th century, driven by German and Mennonite pioneer settlements, advanced manufacturing, and international maritime trade.

In 1869, the British engineer and entrepreneur John Hughes began the construction of a metallurgical plant and a railway. During Yuz's time, the city was divided into two parts: Factory, "English Colony" - a place where workers who came to Yuzivka from Great Britain lived, and "New World" - an area where local workers lived. The creation of the plant was the cause of mass migration of workers from Wales to the future Donetsk.

«Donetsk Soda Plant» was founded in 1892 by the Belgian industrialist Ernest Solve. More than 30 objects of Belgian architectural heritage were found around Donsoda. Near the factory at the beginning of the 19th century. a small town was built with all the infrastructure, part of the buildings remained at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Founded in 1897 by Belgian industrial interests, the "Russian Providence" metallurgical plant in Mariupol was a modern European enterprise that was later nationalized by the Soviets and merged into the iconic Ilyich Steel and Iron Works.