The 1985 postcard captures an industrial landscape of Zaporizhzhia, featuring the northern part of Khortytsia Island and the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station (DniproHES).
What is shown on the postcard
In the foreground, coastal vegetation consisting of green shrubs and grasses with bright yellow flowers is visible. Beyond this, the waters of the Dnieper River stretch, with the massive structure of the Dnieper HES dominating the horizon, including its dam with a series of locks and auxiliary buildings.
Historical note
The Dnieper Hydroelectric Station, or DniproHES, is the largest hydroelectric power station on the Dnieper River and one of the oldest in Ukraine. Its construction began in 1927 and was completed in 1932 as part of the GOELRO plan, becoming one of the symbols of industrialization in the USSR. During World War II, the station’s dam was blown up twice—in 1941 by retreating Soviet troops and in 1943 by advancing German forces—causing significant damage to the structure and resulting in mass casualties.
After the war, DniproHES was fully restored and modernized, once again becoming a key object of the energy infrastructure of the region and the country. It supplied electricity to industrial enterprises in Zaporizhzhia and created a deep-water route for shipping along the Dnieper.
Present day
Currently, the Dnieper HES continues to operate, serving as an important source of electricity and regulating the water level in the Dnieper. It remains a significant engineering structure and a vital element of the transportation infrastructure, connecting the two banks of the city of Zaporizhzhia.
Location (map)
Address: Zaporizhzhia HPP, Sobornyi Avenue, Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 47.873000, 35.086000
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates refer to the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station..
Questions and answers
- Where is the object depicted on the postcard located? The postcard depicts the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station (DniproHES), located in the city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.
- When was DniproHES built? The construction of DniproHES began in 1927 and was completed in 1932.
- What is the modern role of DniproHES? Currently, DniproHES continues to operate as an important source of electricity, regulating the water level in the Dnieper, and serving as a bridge across the river.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Zaporizhzhia from 1985.
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