The Pokrovsky (Intercession) Orthodox Monastery and Cathedral (1689–2021), Kharkiv, Ukraine

Kharkiv city is famous for Soviet Architecture and Byzantine architecture, here not only you will see astounding examples of Soviet architectural buildings of the Russian Empire but also you will see iconic Byzantine architectural style Churches. These churches not only carry the immensely heavy history of Ukraine with them but also plays an impactful role as an urban landmark on the world map.

Holy Intercession Cathedral with a bell tower (Monastery) and Ozeryanskaya church

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The Intercession Orthodox Monastery and Cathedral is basically a complex project located at Istorychnii Muzei (исторически музей) which is also known as Constitution Square. An iconic landmark of the 17th-century cathedral that is offering ornate architecture, a garden & a popular bakery.

^{View from Constitution Square}

The current name of this Monastry is Pokrovsky Monastery located adjacent to old Pokrovsky Park. The entire complex consists of three golden-domed Pokrovska Church (1689), Ozeyansky Church, and Kharkiv episcopal residence and seminary. In the 18-century this Cathedral premises used for training students of the Kharkiv College. During the Great Patriotic War, this Cathedral was damaged, but later restored and after so much renovation and reconstruction, this is the current situation of this complex. The yellow one is Ozeyansky Church (known as Temple Ozeryanskoy Mother of God) and the blue one is Intercession Cathedral/Pokrovsky Cathedral.

The Intercession Church became a monastery in 1729. This cathedral is a valuable oldest stone monument of Ukrainian architecture of the second half of the 17th century that survived so far. The modern form of this monastery is one of the brightest examples of Ukrainian baroque.

The monastery and the church both are basically centralized forms, geometrically regular and freestyle structures that give a visual dominance of Kharkiv city landmarks. These two isolated freestanding forms are dominating the entire space and located at the center point of the entire space, especially, the golden-domed Pokrovska monastery. Also, these two structures are properly merged with the city context.

^{Entrance of the Monastery}

From the west of Constytutsiyi maidan, the gleaming domes of the Pokrovsky Monastery (Intercession Cathedral) are visible from miles away. The entrance is very simple and you can easily identify it. After entering the complex compound, you will see both monastery and church and monuments of Jesus Christ holding Bible on the platforms made of red granite tiles.

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The astounding colors of the monastery and the church will blow away your mind. The rose garden seemed hidden because of the heavy snow. The historical summary and religious points were also written in the Ukrainian Language on the podium of the monument.

The bells from different eras are displayed in front of the church. There are sitting arrangements around the church and in the complex. You can sit there for a while to enjoy the purity of the complex.

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The Intercession Cathedral, erected in 1689, was the most striking example of a three-part temple - reproducing the general forms of Ukrainian wooden architecture (three-chamber plan, creases, flat sails), at the same time inherited from the architecture of Russian churches - two-tier, the arc of the lower floor with a gallery above it, drawing of platbands. Initially, the cathedral had a free-standing bell tower connected to the main volume of the temple by a gallery. The first tier of the bell tower was brick, the upper tier was wooden with a complex baroque (or, possibly, hipped) finish. In the first half of the 18th century, the bell tower of the cathedral was reconstructed - instead of the wooden upper tier, a brick one was added. At the same time, the refectory was built, which united the cathedral and the bell tower.

The cathedral's architectural composition relies on and has deep roots into the well-established, and at the time, practiced very tediously- the three-frame Ukrainian wooden church.

Through the details, such as the brickwork, methodology of laying them, the external decorations and so on we can observe the influence of 17th-century Russian architecture.

The location of the monastery is in such a place where the Lopan River can be seen easily and the fortress wall comes closest to the cliff... This cliff is now known as University Hill.

The location and the strong stone walls with long narrow loopholes indicate that once upon a time it was included in the structure of defensive fortifications of the Kharkiv fortress.

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It's not easy to understand the stone structure of the monastery by seeing the exterior but an idea can grow by seeing the wooden frames that still exist. The huge wooden door gave me the vibes of the entrance of the monastery. I felt it was almost 12-15 feet in height according to my height. The entire structure has been built in maintaining a human scale as well as city scale.

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There are several entrances between these two structures, basically, these entrances connected these two structures for various purposes. Even I have noticed several wooden doors for multiple purposes and some considered as back doors. At a glance, these two structures looked so similar except for colors but if you start noticing thoroughly, you will see the differences. I haven't seen any negative spaces and felt like a planned complex design. Yes, it is a traditional old complex but stone-paved walkways gave me the feeling of a fortress's walkway.

Ozeryanskaya church

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This is Ozeryanskaya church dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God. The details of the exterior are completely visible and can easily be identified. Bold groove lines, decorative columns, symmetrical patterns define the symbol of Russian Chruch Architecture. Huge glass window facades give a clear idea of natural light source for the interior. Symmetrical cutting of the glass pieces will give you the idea of detailed glassworks.

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The surrounding environment is so beautiful, one can easily walk around and explore both structures. The boundary walls made of bricks. I have noticed some decorative railings which are made of cast iron.

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Ozeryanskaya church has several domes where on the other hand Pokrovsky Monastery has only three domes. The volumes of the forms have followed a rhythmic pattern and have created a visual perspective. Bright golden domes are can be seen from miles away from the city and they look very pretty in daylight.

Last but not least you will see the seminar building, training center, residence, and a cafeteria in the complex project. On Sunday many people come here for prayer as this is the oldest Orthodox Churches in Kharkiv city. Many tourists also come here to explore the beauty of architecture.

In my opinion, this structure is the centerpiece of Kharkiv city. The rhythmic pattern of the volumes gives the movement of the structures at regular and irregular intervals.

As I have mentioned earlier that the structures are blended with the surrounding context but still, one can easily identify this landmark by seeing the colors, exterior, and form, shape. Exceptional size, unique shape, and strategic location emphasized the beauty of the monastery and the church pretty well...

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Priyan

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"I am @priyanarc... An architect, a dreamer, and a passionate writer who loves to write about life. I try to present my own perspective and experiences. Please leave your feedback and criticism because it's the only way I can know and reach your mind and thought easily..."

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