Attractions of Kharkiv region

The Fighting Fraternity Museum was opened in the village of Sokolove, where Czechoslovak volunteers of the 1st Separate Czechoslovak Battalion under the command of Colonel Lyudvik Svoboda first fought against the German-fascist forces in 1943 during the Second World War.

During the battle, about 300 enemy soldiers and officers, 19 tanks and 6 armored personnel carriers were destroyed. Second Lieutenant Otakar Yarosh was the first foreign citizen to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (posthumously). Other Czechoslovak and Soviet soldiers who fought side by side with them also received orders and medals.

The diorama "The Battle of March 8, 1943 in the village of Sokolove" occupies the central place in the exposition of the Fighting Fraternity Museum.

Documents, personal belongings, uniforms of Czechoslovak soldiers, samples of military equipment are also presented. Gifts and souvenirs from foreign guests are displayed separately.

The city garden named after Taras Shevchenko is the oldest green area in the center of Kharkiv, one of the most favorite places of rest for the citizens.

Founded in 1804 by Vasyl Karazin, the founder of Kharkiv University, on the basis of a natural oak grove on the outskirts of the city, it was then called University. A monument to Karazin (1907) was erected on the north side of the park.

A chestnut avenue leads from the monument to Taras Shevchenko (1935) to the university building. Next to the "Ukraine" movie concert hall - the central entrance to the Kharkiv Zoo (1895). The Astronomical Observatory (1808) is located in the garden.

Other monuments installed in the park: Monument to repressed Kobzars (1997), sculpture "Soccer Ball" (2001), monument to Archangel Michael moved from Kyiv (2004), sculpture "Aksakal" (1989 -2007 years).

The largest memorial complex in Kharkiv was opened on the northern outskirts of the city in 1977 in honor of Kharkiv residents who died during the Second World War.

Sculptors Vasyl Ahibalov, Yakiv Ryk, Mykhaylo Ovsyankin, artist Serhiy Svitlorukov, architects Ihor Alforov, Anatoliy Maksymenko, Yerik Cherkasov.

Visitors are greeted by two walls with flags and inscriptions on the reverse side. The forest alley leads to the tall sculpture "Motherland", at the foot of which an eternal flame burns. On the left is a wall with bas-reliefs depicting various episodes of the city's defense. A few years ago, a wooden cross surrounded by flower beds was installed on the square.

The old building of Kharkiv University was built in the 18th century as the Governor General's House.

It is the oldest classicist building in the city. Kharkiv University was housed in the governor's palace from 1805 to 1958. Later, the university was moved to new buildings on Svobody Maidan.

Currently, the building is occupied by the Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy.

Historical and archaeological museum-reserve "Verkhniy Saltyv" named after Vasyl Babenko is located on the high right bank of the Pechenehy reservoir (Siverskyi Donets river).

In 1900, local teacher Vasyl Babenko discovered a large iron age catacomb burial here. Later, the ancient city of Sarada (VIII-X centuries), founded by Alans (immigrants from the Caucasus), which was part of the Khazar Khaganate, was excavated. The hillfort with an area of 120 hectares was surrounded by three lines of fortifications. The inner shaft is fortified with a stone wall 3 meters thick. According to the place of discovery, this archaeological culture was called Saltivska.

In 1989, the historical and archaeological museum-reserve "Verkhniy Saltiv" was created on the basis of the Verkhniy Saltiv complex. Part of the archaeological finds made here is presented in the museum exposition.

The Museum of History and Railway Equipment of the Kharkiv Railway (former Southern) was founded in 1967, completely reconstructed in 2014 for the 140th anniversary of the Kharkiv Railway.

It is located in a reconstructed warehouse building of the 1950s. Three main expositions are presented: "Green Hall" (the pre-revolutionary period of the construction and establishment of the Kursk-Kharkiv-Azov road), "Red Hall" (the Soviet period of the development of the Southern Railway (now Kharkiv Railway)) and "Blue Hall" (the history of development during the independent of Ukraine).

The museum has collected many ancient and rare exhibits, unique documents and photographs, models of rolling stock.

The layout of the route of the high-speed "Capital Express Kharkiv - Kyiv" is presented, which accurately reproduces not only the train itself, but also the railway section with copies of the buildings of the stations of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava-Kyivska and Myrhorod. The model features an automatic centralization system with traffic lights, turn signals and a level crossing, and the train departs and makes stops to music and announcers.

Old steam locomotives and other retro equipment are presented on the outdoor area.

The Museum of the History of Izium Optics was opened in one of the halls of the "Optics City" shopping center in Izium, opposite the upper passage of the famous Izium Optical and Mechanical Plant (IOMZ), whose products have been known for over a hundred years.

At one time, the Izium glassmakers held the fifth place among the world leaders in the production of optical glass. The exposition begins with the words of Mykhaylo Lomonosov: "I sing before you in delight the praise of neither precious stones nor gold, but glass."

The hall presents the products of IOMZ and IPO Izium factories: glasses, equipment, devices, various types of glass, photographs and other exhibits representing the history of production, unique characteristics and innovations.

The Museum of History of the Vasyl Karazin Kharkiv National University is one of the first university museums in Ukraine.

Founded in 1972. Located on the second floor of the main building of KhNU. The museum has about 19,000 exhibits.

The exposition consists of four sections, covering the entire bicentennial of Kharkiv University from its founding in 1804 to activities in the conditions of independent Ukraine. In particular, materials related to the life and work of the founder of Kharkiv University Vasyl Karazin, the first professors and students are presented.

Special attention is drawn to the unique exhibits - the diploma of music teacher Ivan Vitkovsky, who was a student of Joseph Haydn, with the first seal of the university, as well as invitations to university holidays in the early nineteenth century.

A grandiose architectural ensemble in the neo-Byzantine style with a 75-meter bell tower rises above the Lopan River.

The Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos was built in 1901 on the site of the old Annunciation Church, the history of which dates back to 1655. At that time, a wooden church was built in the village of Zalopany on the outskirts of Kharkiv, which was later replaced by a stone one, but it soon ceased to accommodate parishioners.

In 1888, the construction of a new cathedral began nearby, the funds for which were collected by the local nobility, merchants and ordinary parishioners. Mykhaylo Lovtsov, a professor of architecture, was chosen as the architect. The five-headed temple with a high bell tower is distinguished by a special "striped" masonry and a wealth of decor. The iconostasis of the work of the Moscow master Vasyl Orlov was made of white Narra marble, the paintings were made by local artists.

The Annunciation Cathedral was closed by the Bolsheviks in 1930, but became active again during the Second World War. According to legend, a cross fell three times from the dome of the temple due to hurricanes and fire.

The Holy Ascension Cathedral in Izium was built and consecrated in 1826 instead of the old church, which was located on the left bank of the Siversky Donets.

Even in the old church, a miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Pishchanska appeared to Saint Yosyp Horlenko of Belhorod. Now it is one of the most famous and revered shrines of Eastern Ukraine.

Nearby is the healing spring "Kyrychenkova krynytsia" with a small chapel-bath.

The Holy Ascension Cathedral was heavily damaged during the battles for Izium during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Church of the Ascension is the only church in Zolochiv that survived out of the four that existed before the Soviet-Ukrainian war.

Founded in 1884.

In Soviet times, the church was closed, but in the post-war period it resumed its activities.

The tall and slender Holy Assumption Cathedral in the Ukrainian Baroque style was built in the center of the University Hill on the site of the old church of 1688.

The bell tower with chimes, built by architects Yevhen Vasiliev and Andriy Ton, is the tallest building in the city (89 meters). Thanks to the location of the windows, the temple looks like a palace.

During Soviet times, the church was closed, and in 1986, the House of Organ and Chamber Music opened in it. After the opening of a new philharmonic complex in Kharkiv in 2016, the Assumption Cathedral became fully owned by the diocese.

In 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the cathedral was damaged by shelling from Russian troops. The projectile that hit the building of the Assumption Cathedral broke windows and stained-glass windows, damaged church utensils and decorations.

The Holy Intercession Cathedral is an architectural monument that adorns the central square of Chuhuiv.

It was built in the first half of the 19th century according to the project of the architect Vasyl Stasov in the style of classicism. The cathedral was built under the leadership of the architects of the military settlements, and the construction was completed by the architect Schrader. The mosaics and frescoes were executed by the Italian artist Petro Rosetti (he was assisted by local masters), icon painting works by the Kharkiv artist Ivan Kulikov.

During Soviet times, the building lost its dome, bell tower and all interior decoration. Until recently, a picture gallery was located here. In 2009, the cathedral was returned to believers, and restoration is underway.

The Holy Intercession Monastery in Kharkiv is the oldest building preserved in the city. In the 17th century, the monastery was part of the system of fortifications of the Kharkiv fortress. The Belfry of the Intercession Cathedral (1689) looks like a defensive tower.

The entrance gate is decorated with an icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands. On the territory there is the Ozeryan Church (1896), the bishop's house, the abbot's house and a cell block with a refectory. In 1726, the Kharkiv Collegium was founded here, where the philosopher Hryhoriy Skovoroda taught (the monument is erected), and the writer Hryhoriy Kvitka-Osnovyanenko worked.

For the 2000th anniversary of Christianity, the figure of Jesus Christ was established.

The Church of the Annunciation of the Ozeryanska Icon of the Mother of God was founded in 1892 on the former outskirts of Kharkiv. Since 1874, there was a chapel at this place, where prayers were served during processions with the Ozeryanska Icon of the Mother of God (Hodigitria).

The new majestic Holy Ozeryanska Church designed by Volodymyr Nemkin was made of red unplastered brick in the eclectic forms of the Byzantine-Rus style. The facades of the building are full of architectural details borrowed from ancient Rus cult architecture. A slender four-tiered belfry with a height of about 40 meters is connected to the western vestibule.

In 1938, the church was closed, the episcopal chair was transferred to the Kazanska Church on Lysa Hill. Services in the Ozeryanska Church in Kharkiv resumed in 1942.