One of the oldest musical theaters and the first permanent opera house of Ukraine. Its history dates back to the end of the 18th century.
‘Aircraft carrier’, ‘city of masters’ or simply ‘KHNATOB’ (abbreviation of the first letters of the full name in Ukrainian) is how Kharkiv citizens call one of the oldest musical theatres and the country’s first stationary opera house. Its history dates back to the end of the 18th century. However, Kharkiv Musical Theatre gained its own building between 1884–1885. After the Bolsheviks seized power in Ukraine and relocated the capital to Kharkiv, the theatre became the Ukrainian State Capital Opera in 1925.
Numerous Ukrainian and international operas have been staged there: ‘Taras Bulba’ and ‘Natalka Poltavka’ by Mykola Lysenko, ‘The Golden Hoop’ by Borys Liatoshynskyi, ‘The Jewels of the Madonna’ by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, ‘Princess Turandot’ by Giacomo Puccini, ‘Boris Godunov’ by Modest Mussorgsky, ‘Carmen’ by Georges Bizet. Ballets such as ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, ‘La Bayadère’ by Ludwig Minkus, ‘The Rite of Spring’ by Igor Stravinsky, and many others were also staged there.
Bold experiments were carried out here. For example, in the ballet ‘Mr. Kanovskyi’ by Mykhailo Verykivskyi, the ballet master Vasyl Lytvynenko combined classical ballet with Ukrainian folk dance elements for the first time.
In 1991, a new postmodern building for the Kharkiv Opera and Ballet Theatre was erected. It took 30 years to build. The two upper floors resemble a huge overhanging slab, which is combined with the complex plasticity of the lower floors (the lobbies and the foyer). The building contains two halls for 1,500 and 400 spectators, and its premises cover an area of more than 7 hectares. All of this is supported by six pillars measuring 3×6 metres each, covered by hundred-metre long metal beams weighing 100 tonnes each.
Kharkiv Opera and Ballet Theatre has united almost a thousand creative professionals and technical staff. That is why the locals called it ‘aircraft carrier’ or ‘city of masters’. The theatre has not only staged plays, more than 60 of which have been included in the theatre’s repertoire, but also made costumes and scenery for numerous theatres in Ukraine and worldwide. The artistic groups of KHNATOB were met with ovations in many Western European countries, Asia, and North and South America. They spoke to the audience in the language of music.
On March 12, 2022, the theatre heard another language and music, which were the sounds of war and destruction. The facades, roof, windows, and doors of the ‘city of masters’ were damaged by the bombing of Russian troops. This place cherished the memory of the performances of Feodor Chaliapin and Mattia Battistini and nurtured beauty in the hearts of many generations.
Nevertheless, the site that once held memories may now turn into a memory itself.
Kharkiv National University named after Vasyl Karazin, founded in 1804, is one of the oldest institutions of higher education not only in Ukraine, but also in Eastern Europe.
National Literary Memorial Museum of the Ukrainian Philosopher and Poet (18th-century building).
The central square of Kharkiv. It ranks sixth in Europe. Here are the most important administrative institutions of the city.
190-years-old architectural monument in the classical style, built in 1832, which used to be the manor of Kharkiv officials and became an excellent illustration of Kharkiv’s life in the 19th century.
Built thanks to the cooperation of students, professors, and institute personnel of the Kharkiv Polytechnic between 1985 and 1991, the sports complex became the site for practising over 30 different kinds of sport, as well as an Olympic training base and the only sports facility in Ukraine to receive the State Award in architecture.
An ancient building, erected in one of the historical neighbourhoods of Kharkiv in the early 20th century. Several generations of Ukrainians have studied at this school for more than a hundred years.
A building of the beginning of the ХХ century in eclecticism style, which housed a female gymnasium from the time of construction and until the 1920s.
Church in the largest residential area of Kharkiv – Saltivka. The architecture of the building, built in 2013 for the Independence Day of Ukraine, resonates with Ukrainian Baroque traditions.
One of the largest Fine Arts museums of Ukraine. The museum’s collection is one of the oldest and most valuable artistic properties of Ukraine.
The main center of ensuring the accuracy of measurements in Ukraine with more than a century of history.
Former House of Judicial Institutions was constructed in the best Neo-Renaissance traditions. The building has the features of Italian palazzos and the exterior of the house stands out due to its sophisticated design.
An extraordinary building of the early 20th century in the architectural ensemble of the Constitution Square in Kharkiv built in the Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism styles.
In 1940, 3809 captive Polish officers and 500 Polish civilians were shot here by order of the Soviet government.
The oldest square in the city. From XVIII to early XX centuries, this place became the centre of the city culture.
This house became a home for Ukrainian writers and artists in 1928. The Soviet government built it for the Ukrainian intellectuals, but soon this place turned out to be a trap.
Holocaust Memorial Complex (menorah monument of 2002).
The cathedral is the oldest Orthodox church in Kharkiv and has great historical and art value.
A brick church constructed on the site of a wooden temple. The first mention of this building dates back to 1691.
Architectural monument, built in 1884–1886. For more than 130 years, the building has helped save the city and its citizens from fires.