Occupied heritage: Ukrainian monuments that Russia is trying to appropriate

Fortresses, castles, natural areas, every work of art is part of our history. But what happens to these attractions when they are under threat? Russian aggression not only takes lives, but also destroys the treasures of national culture. Today, we will talk about the captured locations that we must return.

Berdiansk State Pedagogical University

Higher educational institution of the IV level of accreditation. Located in the Zaporizhzhia region. It is currently temporarily relocated to Zaporizhzhia.

In 1872, the construction of a men's classical gymnasium began. It operated until 1919. The bacteriologist Volodymyr Khavkin, the creator of the first vaccines against plague and cholera, and Petro Schmidt, a sailor and participant in the Revolution of 1905-1907, studied here.

The institution has changed its specialization several times. From 1941 to 1943, a German hospital operated here.

An interesting fact is that the smallest details were considered when building each classroom. For example, the gymnasium was specially separated from the rest of the building by cushioning materials to avoid vibrations and noise during classes. And no less fascinating information: the height of the floors reaches 5 meters.

Cathedral of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky

Located in Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region. It is considered the main church of the city. In 1884, an Armenian Gregorian church was built on the site of the current shrine. However, it was closed after the revolution. In 1930, a dairy research laboratory was located here. And in 1941, the religious center began operating again.

In 2003-2004, the church was reconstructed. Today, only the building remains of the old cathedral. The walls were painted with new frescoes, the iconostasis was changed, and a new dome was built.

At the end of May 2023, the enemy set up a military base and a hospital on the territory of the shrine.

Tauric Chersonese

Located in Sevastopol, Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The monument is included in the lists of the 7 Wonders of Ukraine and the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The open-air museum was opened in 1892 on the basis of archaeological excavations of the ancient Greek city.

In 1872, research began here, which resulted in the discovery of the remains of temples, cisterns, and a water supply system. And back in 988, Volodymyr the Great was baptized here.

Today, the occupiers have built new buildings here, including a new amphitheater. And some of the finds were illegally taken to Russia. Today, part of the historical center is partially destroyed.

Inkerman Cave Monastery

It is located in the town of Inkerman in the Bakhchisaray district of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. It was founded in the VIII century.

Once upon a time, there were quarries near the settlement for exiled Christians. According to legend, in 94 AD, Emperor Trojan sent Roman Bishop Clement I, the first Christian missionary to preach the Gospel on Ukrainian soil, to the village. It was he who began work on the creation of the rock church. Here he baptized about 500 people a day. Later, the righteous man was drowned in the Cossack Bay. A year after his execution, in 102, the sea receded. Then the remains of the saint were found in an underwater grotto.

Over the centuries, the shrine was redesigned, changed, and restored. Three churches were built here: the Church of St. Clement the Martyr, the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called, and the Church of St. Martin the Confessor.

In 1895, another religious building was laid here, the Church of St. Panteleimon the Healer.

Then in 1931 the monastery was closed and the property was transferred to a museum association in Sevastopol. Later in 1991, the building was restored. Today it belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Dzharylgach lighthouse

One of the most important lighthouses in the Black Sea. It is located in the eastern part of Dzharylgach Island in Kherson region. Its height reaches 24 meters. The road to the location consists of 105 steps.

The tower was built in 1902. It was ordered by the landowner Skadovsky. There is a legend that it was designed by the French architect and engineer Alexander Gustave Eiffel or his student.

Unfortunately, due to metal corrosion, the tower stopped working in 2005. So a new one was built nearby.

The crypt of the Falz-Fein family

Located in the village of Novochornomoria, Skadovsk district, Kherson region. Today it is a dilapidated stone chapel-tomb.

In 1897, the brother of the founder of the Askania-Nova reserve built a mausoleum with an Orthodox church. Here he buried his wife Sofia. And later he was laid to rest here.

By the way, from here you can admire the Tendra Bay, where many ships once sank.

We hope that we will be able to visit all these locations in the near future. We wish us victory as soon as possible!

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