In the Danube Delta marshlands, built out of the river itself, lies the picturesque town of Vilkovo. Situated where the Danube River splits into three as it meets the Black Sea, this town is extraordinary not only for its diverse culture, but also for its integration with the astonishing nature under and around it.

Vilkovo has the diverse culture and cuisine of a town that has seen Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Slavic civilisations conquering the town and its inhabitants. The nearby Izmail fortress is an historical site from the Russian-Turkish war many centuries ago, signifying yet another phase of influence on the inhabitants of Vilkovo. Boats are the primary mode of transport, and fishing is a major source of income for the residents of Vilkovo. No wonder that all three churches in the town are named after St Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen, sailors and travellers. Each home has a boat moored at their door, most of them built the same as the Cossack boats used centuries ago. Called ‘herring’ boats today, they are used to catch the renowned Danube herring, but can also be used in the Black Sea to catch sturgeon.

Besides the Danube herring, sought after by restaurants throughout Europe, visiting anglers will be delighted with the opportunity to catch wild carp and catfish. The superb fishing in the area naturally means that visitors should sample the array of fish dishes available at the eateries in the town as well. Salted herring is prepared by residents to last throughout the year, and fresh salmon is served as well.

The homes and gardens in Vilkovo are each built on their own island, built up from river sediment. This explains the areas nickname - ‘The Ukrainian Venice’. These are high maintenance homes though, as each year a trench around the house has to be dug out to replace sediment on the island, allow boats access, and prevent flooding. Without the addition of more silt each year, the homes would sink back into the marsh. The sediment is very rich, and the gardens in Vilkovo are magnificent.

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.

Being a marshland, Vilkovo forms part of the Danube Biosphere Reserve and is home to over 950 plant species and 260 bird species, including pelican, cormorant, spoonbills and sea-eagle. Visitors to Vilkovo in spring and summer will be greeted by vast reedbeds, lily-coated lakes and in spring, frogs abound. Nature tours are a must in this diverse reserve, and boat tours through the Danube Delta provide visitors with a bird’s eye view of the flora, fauna and beauty of this region. Perhaps most importantly, visitors will experience a taste of life that is governed by the natural rhythms of water, climate and seasons. A visit to Vilkovo will leave you at peace, having traversed the waters of the Ukrainian Venice.

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.