Harkov is not essentially a tourist city, but every year thousands of tourists fill the already bustling metropolis. It is interesting for both connoisseurs of historical values and eternally young lovers of extreme impressions. Here the historical sights of Kharkov are comfortably adjacent to modern skyscrapers, and from the noise of many entertainment centers you will be sheltered from the peace and quiet of squares, as well as the lush greenery of Kharkov parks. The city of students, as Kharkiv is called «by the eyes», will infect you with its unique energy, enthusiasm and fun. It, like a child grown into an adult, from a small slobodsk village turned into a large commercial, industrial and cultural center, experiencing on its way both «ups» and «downs».
According to the annals, History of Kharkov begins in the XVII century. In the distant 1651 on the flood of two rivers Kharkov and Lopan appeared a wooden fortress, the first inhabitants of which were immigrants from the Right-Bank Ukraine. It is the ancestor of modern Kharkiv. The fortress was built to protect the Moscow state from nomadic raids, as evidenced by the dug ditch, ramparts and 10 watchtowers. Under the fortress there were many underground passages for shelter. As for the name of the city, there are at least two legends. The first one tells about the glorious Cossack Khariton, in the people Kharko, in whose honor the fortress was named, and later the city. On Lenin Square you can admire the equestrian statue of this brave man by the famous sculptor Z.Tsereteli. According to the second version, the city was traditionally named after the Kharkov River.
As the borders of the Moscow state expanded, the village around the fortress grew and turned into a city. 1654 is considered the official date of Kharkov’s foundation. Since 1669 it is already «the regimental city of the Kharkov Cossack regiment», and later a provincial city, a center of trade, crafts with many fairs. The next «leap» was the laying of the railroad, the beginning of steam locomotive building.
Kharkiv in many ways became the «first swallow»: in 1789 the first theater in Ukraine appeared in the city; since 1805 Kharkiv citizens can be proud of the first higher educational institution in the country — Kharkiv National University named after Karazin. Health care is also developing — the first city hospital with an in-patient hospital, accessible to people from different walks of life, operates Saburova Dacha — a psychiatric hospital. The city becomes not only a cultural, scientific center, a place of concentration of intellectuals, but also from 1917 to 1934 the first capital of Soviet Ukraine.
But the history of Kharkov remembers and such difficult and troubled times, such as the Great Patriotic War, which did not spare this beautiful place, Kharkov underwent significant destruction. Dozens of architectural monuments were destroyed, art treasures from museums were taken away to Germany, houses whose architecture was worth to be proud of were destroyed. After the war the city was restored in the shortest possible time, but the feat of the soldiers who fought for their native land will never be forgotten. In 1977, the Memorial Complex of Glory was built, where descendants can learn about the battles of the inhabitants of the city with the invaders. The sculpture «Motherland», at the foot of which the Eternal Flame burns as a symbol of recognition of their feat.
Modern Kharkiv is rich in all sorts of attractions that attract people of different generations. Nature lovers can enjoy the splendor of parks and gardens. One of the favorite places for recreation is Lesopark — the largest park within the city limits in Ukraine. One of the first in the country children’s railroads «Little South», as well as all kinds of attractions in the Park of Culture and Recreation named after A.M. Gorky will not leave indifferent and small travelers. The oldest green massif of the city is considered to be Shevchenko Garden, which disposes to a quiet rest in the bosom of nature. There is also such a landmark of Kharkiv as the Shevchenko Monument, and not far away is the Kharkiv Zoo.
Who wants to admire the architectural monuments of the first capital of Ukraine should start the tour from the oldest part of the city, the old center — Universitetskaya Hill. Here the first settlers of Kharkiv built their houses, and now the National University is located on its territory. The fountain «Mirror Stream» is rightfully considered the pride of Kharkiv citizens. Central Svobody Square is the largest not only in Ukraine, it is even bigger than the Red Square in Moscow.
The churches and cathedrals of Kharkov deserve special attention. Their grandeur is breathtaking. The golden domes of the Dormition Cathedral, which is in the very center of Universitetskaya Hill, can be seen from any place. The height of the bell tower reaches 89.5 meters, and the chimes striking every hour will not let you get lost in the city. The oldest surviving building is the Intercession Cathedral, built in 1689.
Your impressions will certainly be enhanced by the six operating theaters, the Philharmonic Hall, the Historical and Art Museums and, of course, the Kharkov Circus, one of the largest in Ukraine. Kharkiv hosts many festivals and competitions, such as: classical music festival «Kharkiv Assemblies», folk dance festival «Zeleniy Svit», international competitions of pianists named after V. Korotkovich and V. Krainev, competition of performers. Krainev, the competition of performers on folk instruments named after G. Hotkevich and others. The city, like all of us, is constantly changing in accordance with the time and the needs of its inhabitants, new attractions appear, for example, the Militia Museum, where you can see false documents, money, homemade weapons and other attributes of the underworld. Monuments to Ostap Bender, Father Fyodor, Ellochka Ludoedka, the Yellow Humpback Zaporozhts, the All-Seeing Ear (KGB), the Internal Combustion Engine and even the Gas Valve are sure to bring a smile.
A long time ago, Catherine the Great granted Kharkov a coat of arms representing a crossed cornucopia and the rod of Mercury, the god of commerce, which forever determined the city’s fate. It was, is and will be a major commercial, industrial and cultural center of Ukraine. And yet, it is interesting in any weather, in any season.