Chronology

Over the course of more than two hundred years of the history of “Sofiyivka”, seven distinct periods of the construction of the park, its development, maintenance and establishment as a scientific institution are clearly traced:

• I (1796-1832)
  The Park was owned by the Pototsky family and was named "Sofiyivka". At this time, the main objects of the park were built: the hydrosystem, the artificial grottoes and rocks, most of the landscape areas. The main entrance to the park (through the Parterre Amphitheater) was located outside the city.
• II (1832-1836)
  The park was under the jurisdiction of the Kyiv State Chamber. In 1833, the park was connected to the city by Sadova Street.
• ІІІ (1836–1858)
  Russian Emperor Nicholas I gave the park as a gift to his wife. "Sofiyivka" ("Tzarina’s Garden") was subordinate to the Department of Military Settlements. During this period, the ensemble of the Main Entrance was formed; the Pink Pavilion, Flora Pavilion, pergolas were constructed; the Bellevue Terrace and the Terrace of Muses were built.
• IV (1859-1929)
  The Park was transferred to the Main School of Horticulture. In 1889–1891 the chief gardener of the park, V. V. Pashkevich, planted a collection of 250 species and forms of trees and shrubs on a 2-hectare plot of the park - the so-called English Park (now "V. V. Pashkevich Arboretum”). The park continued to be called "Tzarina’s Garden", although its official name was "Uman Garden of the Main School of Horticulture".
• V (1929-1955)
  "Sofiyivka" ("The Garden of the 3rd International") was declared a State Reserve. The Park was granted an independent status and it was transferred to different departments several times. The greenhouse, hothouses and, accordingly, a part of the park territory remained under the jurisdiction of the Main School of Horticulture. In 1945, the historical name "Sofiyivka" was returned to the park.
• VI (1955-1980)
  The park was transferred to the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. In its scientific activities "Sofiyivka" was subordinated to the Central Republican Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. The territory of the park was expanded and the works related to increasing the flow of visitors were carried out. On the night of April 3-4, 1980, as a result of a flood, the road and alley system in the lower part of the park was destroyed to the ground, all bridges, locks, several sculptures and small architectural forms were washed down and destroyed. Thanks to the selfless work of the park staff and residents of the city, the effects of the flood were eliminated within two months.
• VII (from 1980 to the present)
  The park is under the jurisdiction of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. During the preparation of "Sofiyivka" for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of its founding, the objects in the historical part of the park were restored: the Parterre Amphitheater, the bridge in the Tempe Valley, the composition "Devil's Bridge", the underground river Acheron and the Amsterdam Lock, “The Mushroom” pergola, Diana's Grotto. The ferry to the Anti-Circe Island and the “Iron Tube” source were restored. The western part of the park is in progress.
• 2004
  The park got the status of a National Institution. In 2005 Sofiyivka was granted the status of a research institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
• Summer of 2019
  In the valley of the Kamianka river, south of the Main Entrance, “Nova Sofiyivka” Fantasy Park was open to visitors.