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.
The National Technical University ‘Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute,’ established in 1885, is the largest educational institution in Eastern Ukraine and the largest university in Kharkiv with 26,000 students. In addition to numerous departments, research institutions, and centres, it is not surprising that such a prominent educational institution also boasts a vast sports complex dubbed ‘POLITEKH.’
From 1985 through 1991, tens of thousands of students, hundreds of professors, and institute personnel collaborated on the construction of the building. Thus, a three-storey complex with a height of 16 metres and a total area of 8,602 m² was constructed on the grounds of Kharkiv’s park. It comprised two swimming pools, a game room, and specialised facilities for wrestling, table tennis, gymnastics, and aerobics. Also, the complex had a gym, a track and field hall, and a stadium with playgrounds for tennis, mini-football, football, and basketball. In general, the community of the Polytechnic Institute has developed space with all the essential conditions for practising over 30 different kinds of sport.
In addition to physical education classes, students had the opportunity to train during extracurricular hours. Competitions between the institute’s teams or between the teams of different universities took place here. Moreover, Ukrainian national basketball, badminton, athletics, and other sports teams trained at this unique sports complex, which received the status of an Olympic training base. Also, ‘POLITEKH’ became the only sports facility in Ukraine to receive the State Award in architecture.
On the night of June 24, 2022, four months after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, two Russian missiles hit the sports complex. The shelling severely damaged one of the buildings, and a fire broke out in an area of more than 200 metres.
For 35 years, Ukrainian students have improved their lives and physical well-being at ‘Politekh.’ Active and healthy young people grew up here, representing Ukraine in large-scale international sports arenas.
However, 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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).
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