Twelve cannons on the territory of Val (the Rampart) have been Chernihiv architectural landmark for centuries. They were installed at the end of the 19th century in memory of Chernihiv military glory. Another legend says that the emperor Peter I gave the cannons as a present to the residents in order to appreciate Chernihiv Cossacks who courageously struggled in the Great Northern war with Sweden. But there is no reliable evidence to prove the story. Moreover, some canons are much older than the Great Northern War (1700-1721).
Once, the famous poet Taras Shevchenko, being on a visit in Cherhihiv, wrote in the local newspaper “Chernigov Gubernia Vedomosti”: “In the citadel of the ancient fortress, there are three large fortress cannons without gun carriages. They are of pretty rough work, without ornaments and inscriptions. Furthermore, the time they are dated back to is also unknown.”
In 1896, the cannons were installed on the gun carriages, intentionally brought from Arsenal Kyiv. Soon, eight more cannons were brought. During the 20th century the cannons were placed in different parts of Val – on the alley, behind the House of the Regimental Chancellery. Finally, before 1941, all twelve cannons were put on the places where they are today.
One famous city joke of nowadays says that the ladies who want to refuse the proposal, make the appointment at the 13-th cannon. The unlucky gentlemen come and wander a lot looking for the cannon which doesn’t actually exist.