Tips about Kharkiv, Ukraine
Kharkiv’s name originates from the name of a Turk nomadic cattle-breeding tribe that used to wander across the steppes adjacent to the Black and Azov seas a thousand years ago. Currently situated next to the border with Russia, Kharkiv has been one of the trade routes linking Ukraine and Russia to other parts of Europe.
Located in East part of Ukraine, it is 12 hours from Moscow and Minsk by train, in addition to the international airport. It is the second largest Ukrainian city with 1,5 million inhabitants.
One of the main sights in the city is surely its charming railway station. The train station in Kharkiv means much more than a way of transportation. Since the first train arriving from Bielgorod to Kharkiv in May 1869, it boosted considerably the local development — impulsionated the growth from a provincial town to an industrial, trade, financial and cultural centre of Eastern Ukraine.
During the Soviet times, Kharkiv became the Ukrainian capital replacing Kiev in 1917. The impact of that period still remains with huge buildings in its central area, being Derzhprom (State Industry Building) the most famous — the first skyscraper built during the Soviet Era to emphasize the status of the new capital. During the II World War the Germans tried to destroy the building, but its rugged design withstood all attempts (Sourced from the book ABC from Ukraine).
Another legacy of this past being the capital is the amount of 45 universities in the city. For hosting universities and for the agreements with foreigner educational institutions, Kharkiv receives students from all over the world, which brings to the city diversity and a young identity.
As the Orthodox Christianism is largely present in Ukraine, the landscape of Kharkiv is also featured by Orthodox churches. Below, the picture of the St. Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral, a Neo-Byzantine structure built in 1888 and one of the tallest Orthodox churches in the world with 89,5 meters. It is the main Orthodox church in Kharkiv.
Another church that features is the St. Assumption Cathedral, built in 1680s and rebuilt in 1820s-1830s.
I hope to give you a sense of what to visit in Kharkiv. If you have other places to suggest, feel free to comment!
PS: You can check the pictures I take on my Instagram account andref.anjos and through the hashtag#feelukraine.
