One of the cities at the South of Ukraine from ancient times was called as “the City of Brides”. Even nowadays the city of Nikolaev is famous in Ukraine and other countries by its beautiful women.

At the very beginning of the history of Nikolaev there was a wharf in this scenic place of confluence of two rivers, Southern Bug and Inhul. In those times Russian Empire was waging marine war with Turkey in Black Sea, so that the state needed a strong military fleet. That’s why favorite of Catherine II Grigory Potemkin issued a decree in 1788 to lay the foundation of a shipyard in the estuary of Southern Bug which called by name of Saint Nicholas, Nikolaev.

Artisans and laborers were sent to the new shipyard from all over the Empire. But most of them were forced come over to this new place where they were forced to hard work in dangerous conditions. Many of workers died or were mutilated because of this work. They had a very good salary but in spite of that many of these people took efforts to escape.

Potemkin found the solution of this problem. Young and beautiful unmarried women were sent to Nikolaev from the surrounding villages. Men lined up in front of women at the main square and chose their future wives taking their hands by a command. Thanks to this combined wedding laborers got families which became a good reason to settle here. And the city of Nikolaev received the second name, the City of Brides. To the present day ladies from Nikolaev are famed in many countries for their beauty.

This story found a reflection in sights of Nikolaev. A few years ago a monument to a lonely bride was established near the central registry office. This beauty is waiting here for her fiance. As well as many young and beautiful women from Nikolaev which came to find their love here, on Step2Love. Maybe one of them is a woman you are looking for?