Chernigov Ukraine

Where did the name of the city come from?

As unbelievable it may sound but no one knows for sure. However there are several versions about it. Maybe the name derived from black (“chorine”) forests that surrounded Chernigov. The forests were so thick that seemed to be black from far. Even today you can see that Chernigov is a city with lots of trees and in spring and summer it is not less green than Kiev. Other people say that the name came from the name of a chief of the local tribe Cherneg (Chernig). Another idea tells that the name originated from the tribes called “chornie klobuki”. An interesting version connects the name of the city with a mysterious ruler of the city Prince Chornij (Black Prince). There is a burial place in Chernigov bearing his name. In fact in the 19th century famous archiologist Dmitry Samosvasov denied this version because the burial place was made between 945 and 968 while by the year 907 Chernigov is mentioned in the chronicle as a big city. Consequently Prince Chornij could not be a founder of the city. Why does this legend still live? The answer is simple- legends should live… The most romantic story about the city name tells us a story about beautiful Princess Chorna, a daughter of Chernigov prince. She loved horse-riding, she could shoot with arrows and was an excellent hunter. Rumor about her reached a chief of Chernigov enemies (khazarsky kagan). He sent his messengers along with many gifts to Chernigov with a proposal for the princess to marry him. But the proud princess denied to marry the enemy. Then khazarsky kagan invaded Chernigov. The princess defended herself till the last moment shooting arrows to her enemies, and when the last arrow was gone she jumped down from a high tower.