Three wells of the 17th century in the village of Subotiv

“Three Wells” – A monument of history and nature, which  saw in the 17th century Ambassadors of Poland, Austria, Sweden, Turkey in the 17th century and needs modern facilities.

“Three wells” – a hydrological monument of nature, which, by the will of fate, witnessed historical events, especially during the Ukrainian national revolution in the middle of the 17th century, is located on the southwestern outskirts of the village Subotiv in the Cherkasy region in a lowering of the relief. The water from these wells is extremely tasty and healing. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the memorial every year.

The object is popular not only with Ukrainian tourists, but also with foreign ones, because not far from this place was the country residence of the Hetman of Ukraine Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, the history of Europe was created here in the middle of the 17th century. At that time, Patriarch Macarius III of Antioch, ambassadors of Poland, Austria, Sweden, Turkey and other countries visited here. According to legend, in those days, a Cossack hospital was located on a hill near the wells.

The wells are lined with willows, the territory is surrounded by a fencing that is worn out today. The monument of nature was created by the decision of the Cherkasy Regional Executive Committee dated June 27, 1972 No. 367. In the early 1970s. oak log cabins were installed on the wells, and with the formation of the Chyhyryn National Historical and Cultural Reserve in 1989, they became part of it

“Three Wells” became a source of inspiration for local artists, poets, musicians who dedicated their works to them.

“Three wells” with the adjacent territory is one of the locations of the cultural and educational entertainment program “Games, entertainment and fun of the old Subotiv”, developed by scientists from the department “Subotiv Historical Museum” of the National Historical and Cultural Reserve “Chyhyryn”.

Today, the hydrological attraction of nature needs serious reconstruction, restoration of log cabins of wells, construction of a new, more convenient for visitors at different times of the year, a small bridge across the Suba River. It would be advisable to develop a modern design of the territory with the planting of beautiful relict trees and bushes. It is necessary to establish modern information and tourist boards. For entrepreneurs, this object has not yet been opened in depth. Near the wells, you can build a small plant for the production of drinking water, with a possible product brand “Three Wells”. Here, in the most beautiful area, you can build beautiful hotels, recreation centers, etc.

LEGENDS AND BELIEFS 

“Three wells” exist in Subotiv for at least three centuries, although these data are based solely on folk sources. During this time, many legends, the essence of which, if we discard temporary layers and literary processing, boils down to the fact that they were dug out during the time of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi.

According to one legend, the wells were built during the Ukrainian National Revolution in the mid-17th century. at the time when Bogdan Bohdan Khmelnytskyi was in charge of the Ukrainian Cossack state. Wagon trains with wounded soldiers stretched to Subotov, exhausted by wounds and exhausted by the heat, the Cossacks stopped in the valley at the source. It was here, according to legend, that the military hospital was located. One day, three horsemen rode into the village, each holding a seriously wounded comrade in his arms. By order of the hetman, they were left with a healer, who daily treated them with herbs infused with spring water. Soon the Cossacks got to their feet and each of them dug a well in the place of healing springs.

According to another legend, the Cossacks watered their horses at this place. Hetman of Ukraine Bohdan Khmelnytskyi once ordered to water the horses and there was not enough water in two wells, so he ordered to dig a third one, and this is the reason for the appearance of the name “Three Wells”.

Local residents have a belief: if a girl drinks a clean source of water from three wells in a row, she will find her betrothed no later than three days later.