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Kharkov Guides
Kharkiv was founded in 1656. Today it's Ukraine's second largest city with 2 million residents. Only 40 km (25 miles) from the Russian border, Kharkiv is a highly Russified city.
Kharkiv is worth a visit. It's pleasant, spacious, and attractive. It has rich academic and cultural life. It has more than twenty institutes of higher learning, the most prominent being Kharkiv University, as well as outstanding professional opera and ballet theaters, museums, and scores of libraries. Within its 272 sq. km (105 sq. miles) are more than 100 beautiful parks. Compared to Kyiv, accommodations and shopping are a bargain. Hotel costs $50 - $200 per night. Most are rather mediocre but the Hotel "Kharkov" is topnotch. Prices, quality, and the selection of handicrafts in Kharkiv are better than in Kyiv. Domestic planes link Kharkiv with Kiev, and the international airport helps foreigners to fly to Kharkov from all over the word by one of the best European airlines "Austrian Airlines" company.
Kharkiv 's main thoroughfare - and street to stroll - is Sumska Street, an old street with many beautiful buildings, lovely parks, lots of small cafes, some restaurants and souvenir shops. North of the city center and extending west to Klochkivska Street is Shevchenko Park, which includes a zoo. The north edge of the park faces the massive Independence Square. The huge crescent - shaped building that edges the north of the park facing the square is Kharkiv University.
While church architecture doesn't dominated Kharkiv, there are several noted churches. The Cathedral of the Holy Protectress - the church and its bell tower were built in 1689 as past of the original fortress settlement. The Uspensky Cathedral - the golden - domed brick cathedral was built in the baroque style from 1771 to 1778. Blahovishchenskyy Cathedral is a principal Orthodox church, architecture and motifs were based on the Hagia Sofia Cathedral in Istanbul.
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