This northeastern Ukrainian city along the Psel River has multiple theaters, museums, and well-kept public gardens. Its universities bring academic life to this regional center.
Sumy, a city of 256,474 residents in northeastern Ukraine, sits along the banks of the Psel River. You can climb the 56-meter bell tower of the Transfiguration Cathedral for city views, examine Dutch Golden Age paintings at the Regional Art Museum, or walk through the rooms of an 18th-century estate where Anton Chekhov once lived. The city's streets lead you past baroque churches and through quiet parks along the river.
Weather and When to Visit
Sumy experiences warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures reach 20.3Β°C (68.5Β°F), making it comfortable to walk through the city parks and streets. Winter brings regular snowfall with temperatures dropping to -6.9Β°C (19.6Β°F). June and July see the highest rainfall, with annual precipitation averaging 513mm. Plan your visit in spring or early fall for mild temperatures ideal for exploring the city center.
Main Religious Architecture
The Transfiguration Cathedral's 56-meter bell tower dominates the city center. Inside, you'll find frescoes by Vladimir Makovsky and Klavdiy Lebedev, along with an iconostasis made of white marble and malachite. The Voskresenska Church (1702) represents Ukrainian Baroque style with its three distinctive cupolas and now contains the Museum of Decorative and Applied Art. Musicians perform organ and chamber music concerts at the Troyitsky Cathedral, built between 1901 and 1914.
Museums and Art Collections
At the Sumy Regional Art Museum, you can see paintings by Ukrainian artists Taras Shevchenko and Tetyana Yablonska. The collection includes landscapes from Jan van Goyen's circle and other Dutch Golden Age works. The Museum of Local Lore holds archaeological findings and natural history specimens from the Sumy region. In the Chekhov Museum, set in an 18th-century country estate, you can explore the preserved rooms where the writer spent time during his visits.
Getting Around and Current Situation
Buses and trolleybuses connect the main areas of Sumy. You can walk to most cultural sites from the city center. While basic services continue to function, check current safety advisories and contact local authorities before planning your trip to learn about conditions in the area.
