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.
Kharkiv is a city with distinctive, rich architecture that reflects the characteristics of various historical eras and provides insight into how people lived then and now.
The Pavlov estate still preserves memories of Kharkiv’s vibrant urban life in the 19th century. The Pavlovs were local officials, and their family residence was built in 1832. Andrii Ton, the first city architect of Kharkiv, was the architectural project’s author. The two-storey manor was built with a four-column portico in the classical style, which was typical for private estates at that time. The ground floor traditionally housed the owners’ and guest rooms, servants’ rooms, and utility premises. Balls, dinner parties, and receptions were held on the first floor. Thus, there was a dining room, a living room, and a ballroom with a balcony.
For decades, the Pavlov family resided in this manor before turning it into a hotel. Originally known as the ‘Hast’ hotel, the new owner changed its name to ‘Epstein.’
But this hotel did not last very long. The estate was turned into a command centre for specialised military units after the revolution of 1917 and the Bolsheviks’ takeover of power in Ukraine. Subsequently, and until today, a military recruitment office was located there.
The oldest street in Kharkiv, Poltavskyi Shliakh (Poltava Way), which was laid out around the city’s founding in the 17th century, was struck by Russian shells on July 6, 2022. The Russians have been shelling Kharkiv almost continuously since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Over the course of several months, Russian forces destroyed the city every single day. Hence, its cultural heritage has been critically damaged.
The Pavlov manor was also destroyed: its facade was ruined, and significant fissures appeared on the remaining walls. The 190-year-old architectural monument, which preserved the history of Kharkiv residents’ lives, now serves as proof of Russians’ cruelty and callous disregard for history, culture, and the value of human life.
The site that once held memories may now turn into a memory itself.
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