Churches and cathedrals in Kharkiv - Kharkiv - TravBuddy

There are 40 churches, 3 cathedrals and 2 monasteries in Kharkiv. All of them are beautiful and unique. But I wish to present your attention 10 of them.

1) Holy Shroud Cathedral — the oldest stone construction and local architectural landmark. The Cathedral was erected in 1689 as part of the fortress. Its construction was funded by the Cossacks from Klotchkivska Sloboda. The Holy Shroud Cathedral is an example of Ukrainian Baroque. Its composition reminds that of a three-frame wooden church with adjacent belfry typical for Ukrainian architecture.

2) The Ozeryanska Church, erected in 1896 by the Eparchy architect V. Nemkin, is a unique construction. It’s the only church in town that uncharacteristically combined in its design Roman and Old-Russian motives: it’s built as a basilica and at the same time is decorated by 13 small domes and intricate stone ornaments.

3)The Annunciation Cathedral - The tall construction dominates the area on this side of the river, it is an integral component of the panoramic view of the western part of the city. The Cathedral is distinguished by abundant small details and polychromatic facade (striped brickwork — in which red brick layers are combined with light plaster — resembles of the ancient Byzantine buildings)

The unusual design of the Cathedral combines in one construction a cross-and-dome church with five domes and a tall (75 meters) circle belfry of a Gothic silhouette.

4) The Dormition Cathedral, which survived the historical turmoil, was constructed in 1773 on the site of the stone church destroyed in the fire. It was designed after the Saint Clement Church in Moscow. It took sculptors, icon painters and wood-carvers six years to complete the interior design of the Cathedral and to create the enormous wooden stand for the icons. Presumably this icon stand was described by the famous Kharkiv historian D. Bahaliy, when he in his Notes on Kharkiv History described the excellent skills of Kharkiv snitsari — the then name for wood-carvers. According to some information, the design of the icon stand was developed by Bartholomew Rastrelli.

The five-dome Cathedral was built in the Baroque style and comprises some elements of the Ukrainian architectural tradition. It is important that the Dormition Cathedral is the last in the row of churches built in the Ukrainian style. After 1800 the decree of the Emperor Paul I prohibited any constructions in this style. Today it is the House of Organ and Chamber Music.

5) The Roman-Catholic Church (architect B. Mikhailovskyi, 1887–1891) stands opposite this building. It is accomplished in Gothic forms — lancet portals and windows, high belfry, complete with a spire. In the 1990s the church building was returned to the believers. The church restoration work is under way along with the holding of religious service. The scenic part of the restored Pushkin Theatre, as well as the facades of modern buildings, overlook Gogol Street, too.

6) The choral synagogue, which is the only preserved Jewish Temple out of the four earlier existing ones, is conspicuous by its peculiar architectural forms.

The religious building, executed with the elements of Oriental architecture and Romanesque forms, was built in 1914 after the design project of a Petersburg architect Ya. Gevirtz. Covered with Chile copper, the conical dome of this largest in Europe synagogue towers for more than 30 meters over the historical downtown. Due to its location on the summit of the steep slope running to the Kharkiv river, as well as its dimensions, the synagogue occupies a significant place in the eastward panorama.

7)Alexander Nevskyi Church.

8)Chapel of icon Mother of God "All grieving Pleasure".

9)Konstantin and Elena's Сhurch.

10) Nikolay Chudotvortsa's Сhurch.