Taras Shevchenko Garden

Taras Shevchenko Garden is a central city park in Kharkiv featuring around 100 ornamental deciduous and coniferous trees with decorative flower beds and shrubs. The park sits directly adjacent to the Opera and Ballet Theater, Ukraine Concert Hall, and the Regional Palace of Children and Youth Creativity.

The garden was established in 1804 by Vasily Karazin as a botanical research site alongside Kharkiv University. It gradually transformed into a public recreational space serving the expanding city.

The central monument honoring the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko is surrounded by statues depicting characters from his literary works. Visitors can observe how this site connects the poet's writings to public memory and cultural identity.

The park is easily accessible on foot and located near several major cultural venues, making it a convenient stop during a city visit. Its central location means it receives good daylight and should be accessible throughout the day.

Around 20 ancient oak trees in the park remain from the original forest that once protected the northern approach to the Kharkiv fortress. These trees connect the modern park to the medieval history of the city and stand as witnesses to an earlier landscape.