Vylkove is located on the outskirts of the Odessa region, at the mouth of the Danube River. After more than two thousand kilometres, the Danube River flows into the Black Sea here, spilling into three prongs like a fork. In Russian, Vylkove translates into fork, hence the origin of the name of the city.
There are only four streets in Vylkove, where all administrative buildings are located. Since the formation of the coast here has not stopped for centuries, locals decided that it would be safer to have the water under their feet. Each of the houses in Vylkove has its own pier and the channels (locals call them eriks), are used instead of streets. The only pedestrian ways are narrow wooden sidewalks. Gardens with crops of grapes and strawberries are located on the islands in the delta of the Danube River.
The history of Vylkove is associated with the reforms of the Russian Emperor Peter I. People who did not accept church reforms, moved from the Russian empire to this former Turkish territory. The Ottoman Port supported the “Old Believers” and even exempted them from taxes. Later settlers were joined by the Cossacks, who did not accept the dissolution of Zaporizhian Sich by Catherine II.
Old Believers form 70% of Vylkovo’s population. They zealously follow traditions, do not shave their beards, even their clothes are the same as their ancestors wore. They do not have TVs, video games, or computers, and live apart from other faiths. Even in the cemetery, they have their own areas.