Some time ago, in the early days of Soviet Union, Kharkiv used to be the capital of Ukraine. Today its monumental Stalinist architecture tells us about that. This is also the second largest city in Ukraine, where everyone will find something for fun. It can be long walks, nice cafes, art exhibitions or rock concerts. In 2008 there was a concert of Queen with Paul Rodgers on the Svobody (Liberty) Square, one of the largest squares in Europe. The concert brought together the largest audience in the history of the band. I guess Freddie would have been shocked :)
On the railway station you can see the sculpture of one of the characters from the famous Soviet novel "Twelve Chairs".
Sculpture of a character from the famous Soviet novel "Twelve Chairs" ©Yuriy Buriak
There's a three-line subway (metro) in Kharkiv, just like in Kyiv. But there are significant differences from Kyiv: the tokens can only be bought only from vending machines, and some stations even have toilets.
"Radyanska" ("Soviet") metro station ©Nastya Mironets
In the Kharkiv subway on the Oleksyiivska station scandalous, the most expensive benches in Ukraine for $8 thousand each were installed. Yes, yes, that is famous Ukrainian corruption :)
"The concert was right here", says Lenin. ©Nastya Mironets
In honor of the concert, devoted fans painted graffiti near the central square. The band made some photos there. Unfortunately, the graffiti was removed :(
Graffiti made for the Queen live show ©Nastya Mironets
Paul Rogers ©Nastya Mironets
Roger Taylor ©Nastya Mironets
Brian May ©Nastya Mironets
Freddie Mercury ©Nastya Mironets
Anti-AIDS graffiti ©Nastya Mironets
Better start the city tour on the central Svobody (Liberty) Square. Here you can find one of the main attractions of the city, the Gosprom (House of State Industry) building. It's built in the constructivism style and symbolizes this style.
Gosprom (House of State Industry) ©Yuriy Buriak
Behind Gosprom on the Lenin Avenue you can find a monument to founder of the city.
Monument to a mythical founder of the city, cossack Kharko ©Yuriy Buriak
On the right is the University of Karazin, opened in 1804. Three Nobel Prize winners used to study and teach here.
University of Karazin ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
On the square find an interesting courtyard with sculptures (a 3D image points there).
3D image invites into the courtyard. ©Yuriy Buriak
Interesting sculptures in the courtyard ©Yuriy Buriak
Interesting sculptures in the courtyard ©Yuriy Buriak
During Euro 2012 the central square turned into a huge fan zone.
Fanzone with matryoshka dolls ©Yuriy Buriak
Then move to the Shevchenko Park. The park has a very interesting monument to the greatest Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. There are two figures of Shevchenko on it.
Monument to Taras Shevchenko (the only monument with two figures of Shevchenko) ©Yuriy Buriak
Building near the Shevchenko monument ©Yuriy Buriak
Not far from the Shevchenko is a monument to the 50th parallel created in 2010. It symbolizes that Kharkiv is the largest city on the 50th parallel of north latitude.
Monument to the 50th parallel ©Yuriy Buriak
There's a large children's cafe with delicious ice cream and the Cascade Fountain in the park.
Children's cafe in the Shevchenko Park ©Yuriy Buriak
Cascade Fountain ©Yuriy Buriak
Then walk down the Sumska Street.
Sumska Street ©Yuriy Buriak
Theater ©Yuriy Buriak
Zerkalnaya Struya (Mirror Stream) Fountain, symbol of the city ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Sumska Street ©Yuriy Buriak
Berezil Theatre ©Yuriy Buriak
Monument to Archangel Michael, a gift from Kyiv ©Yuriy Buriak
Bell tower of the Assumption Cathedral ©Yuriy Buriak
Jean-Paul Belmondo ©Yuriy Buriak
Bogdan Stupka, the best Ukrainian actor ©Yuriy Buriak
Thermometer, a favorite meeting place of Kharkiv citizens, 6 meters tall, constructed in 1976 in the Kharkiv Institute of Metrology (in 2012 the new one was created) ©Yuriy Buriak
On the roof near the Radianska metro station stands an unusual sculpture of The Violinist. According to the authors, it's dedicated to the city's creativity.
Violinist on the roof ©Yuriy Buriak
Next, turn right. In a small park near the Assumption Cathedral is an art market and a viewpoint with the best view of the Annunciation Cathedral.
Annunciation Cathedral ©Yuriy Buriak
On the left is the Rosa Luxemburg Square. The Independence monument used to stand here until 2012, but then it was removed due to lack of popularity among the tourists.
On the waterfront you can take a boat and ride along the river. And on the other bank of the river there's a long Poltavskyi Shlyakh (Poltava Road) Street, which leads to the railway station.
Monument of Independence (was demolished in 2012) ©Yuriy Buriak
Lopan river and the University building ©Yuriy Buriak
The new Metalist stadium is a very popular place in Kharkiv (Sportyvna metro station). Football is incredibly popular in the city and local fans are the most active in Ukraine.
Metalist stadium ©Yuriy Buriak
The gate is only thing that remained from the old stadium. ©Yuriy Buriak
Football is everywhere in the city. ©Yuriy Buriak
On the Sumska Street there's a monument to the soccer ball. Oleg Blokhin left a symbolic autograph on the ball and after that many visitors felt the need to do the same. The monument was repeatedly dyed, then washed and dyed again.
Monument to the soccer ball ©Yuriy Buriak
Near the stadium, at the intersection of the Academika Pavlova Street and Saltovskyi Highway is a small copy of the Eiffel Tower. In the evening it's highlighted.
Suddenly, the Eiffel Tower ©Yuriy Buriak
On the way to the tower we found this church.
St. Alexander Nevsky Church ©Yuriy Buriak
There's another symbol of the city In a park near the Architectora Beketova metro station: the Fountain of Lovers. Here you can also find miniature sculptures of the city landmarks.
Fountain of Lovers ©Yuriy Buriak
©Nastya Mironets
Miniature Kharkiv landmarks ©Yuriy Buriak
On the Gogol Street you can find an unusual sign with house number.
House on 2 Gogol Street ©Yuriy Buriak
Fans are welcome ©Yuriy Buriak
Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin Mary ©Yuriy Buriak
On the Petrovskogo Street you can find several sculptures of the characters from the famous Soviet novel "Twelve Chairs".
Sculpture of a character from the famous Soviet book "Twelve Chairs" ©Yuriy Buriak
Sculpture of a character from the famous Soviet book "Twelve Chairs" ©Yuriy Buriak
Not a typical house for Kharkiv ©Yuriy Buriak
Not a typical house for Kharkiv ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: By IC+ train from Kyiv. But if you don't plan to stay overnight in Kharkiv, it's better to go by night train and have more time in the city. Or by comfortable buses of the Autolux and Gunsel carriers from the central bus station in Kyiv (Demiyivska metro station).
Metro Map of Kharkiv
Map of Kharkiv tram routes
Nice video about Kharkiv in timelapse format
