Губернаторський палац, Administrative palace in Kharkiv, Ukraine
The Governor's Palace at 16 Universytetska Street is a neoclassical building with a striking facade featuring Ionic pilasters and arched passages on both sides. Today an educational academy occupies the structure, using its historic spaces for classrooms and administrative functions.
The palace was built between 1770 and 1777 under Catherine II's orders and later became the city's first university. This shift marked the start of higher education development in eastern Ukraine and transformed the building's purpose for generations.
The building shaped intellectual life in the region and remains tied to its role in establishing higher education. Visitors notice how the space reflects the aspirations of people who built institutions of learning here.
The building sits in the city center on a main street and is easy to reach. Most areas are accessible during business hours, though some rooms may be restricted due to current educational use.
The building displays memorial plaques honoring an important scientist and revolutionary participants from local history. These markers show how closely the structure is tied to significant moments that shaped the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.