A Fisherman’s Paradise – Vilkovo

Vilkovo, known as the Ukrainian Venice, is in the Danube Delta marshlands, situated exactly where the Danube River splits into three before entering the Black Sea. This fascinating area not only brings a diverse heritage to life, it offers insight into an extraordinary way of life.

Declared a town in 1775, Vilkovo has been home to Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Slavic cultures over the centuries, each leaving a distinctive culture behind, and contributing to the diversity of this picturesque town. Because so much of the town is waterway, boats are the primary form of transport, and each home has at least one boat moored at its doorstep. Most of these boats are built exactly as the Cossack ‘seagull’ boats were centuries ago, although they are now commonly called ‘herring’ boats as that is what they are primarily used for. There are three churches in Vilkovo, all named after Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen, sailors and travellers.

The Danube herring is considered a delicacy in restaurants throughout Europe, and fishing for this and other species is one of the major industries of Vilkovo. The Danube delta and the Black Sea provide wonderful fishing for anglers on vacation, including giant carp and catfish fishing. Naturally, fish forms a large part of the cuisine in the area, and you would be wise to try the fish dishes at the local restaurants and cafs.

The homes in Vilkovo are on small islands built up from sediment from the Danube. The gardens are magnificent due to the fertile sediment, which is dug out of trenches around each house ever year to ensure the islands do not sink. These trenches prevent flooding and provide access for boats, giving the town the appearance of being a series of many small islands rather than a mainland.

Wooden walkways traverse the waterways and channels, providing lovely walks for visitors to the town, past the extraordinary homes and gardens of Vilkovo. The fertile sediment has led to Vilkovo gaining fame for its fruit, particularly strawberries, apples and quince. The town is also known for its local range of wines produced from Novak grapes. Visitors beware though, it is a higher concentration of alcohol than you may be used to.

Vilkovo is in the Danube Biosphere Reserve, a wetland that is home to almost a thousand plant species and nearly 260 bird species. In spring and summer, visitors will be greeted by vast reedbanks, lily-covered lakes and islands of willows and poplars, home to pelicans, cormorant, duck, gees, spoonbill and the occasional sea-eagle. A boat tour of the Danube Delta provides visitors the opportunity to take in the beautiful flora and fauna of the region. This scenic town is subject to the rhythms of nature, influenced by the seasons, weather and water, and gives visitors a pleasant, peaceful retreat from the bustle of city life.

Vilkovo.eu Вилково For additional info about Vilkovo town please visit our website http://www.vilkovo.eu/ where you will find out more about Vilkovo fishing tourism and Вилково wild nature tours and have a look at Vilkovo adverts and classifieds and Вилкове discussion boards Enjoy Vilkovo.