Zhytomyr is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine. Since the Middle Ages, Zhytomyr has been the administrative centre of the region, and in 1918 the government of the Ukrainian People's Republic was based here.

Archaeologists have discovered settlements and burial mounds of the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Burial grounds dating back to the VII century and the remains of an ancient Russian settlement dating back to the X-XIII centuries have also been excavated within the city.

The city hosts performances by the Ivan Kocherha Music and Drama Theatre, the Lionok Song and Dance Ensemble, the Oreya Choir, the Rodoslav Polissia National Rite Ensemble, and the Sonechko Children's Dance Ensemble.

There is a history and local lore museum, an art gallery, a V.G. Korolenko museum, a literary museum of Zhytomyr region and a museum of fire protection history.

The only memorial house-museum of Academician Serhii Korolev in Ukraine. The Space Technology Pavilion «Cosmos» was opened. The building with an area of more than 600 square metres houses an exhibition on Space Science and Technology in the Service of Peace and Progress.

9 cultural heritage monuments of national significance and 179 of local significance.