The Freedom Square is the main square of Kharkov and an architectural landmark. It is the second largest city-center square in Europe and ninths in the world. It is the place of every possible events: concerts, demonstrations, fairs, meetings. From the moment of foundation (1925) till 1996 it was known as Dzerzhinskogo square.

Originally named (1926–1996) Dzerzhinsky Square after Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Bolshevik secret police (the Cheka, precursor to the KGB), it was renamed after Ukraine became independent in 1991. A monumental statue of Lenin was erected in 1964 and continues to dominate the square.

The main part of the square is limited to the west by the statue of Lenin, to the east by Sumska street, to the north by the hotel Kharkiv and to the south by Shevchenko park. It is approximately 690–750 meters long and 96–125 meters wide. The complete square is approximately 11.6 ha.

Derzhprom (or Gosprom) is the central object of the round part of the Freedom Square. This architectural landmark was built in 1920-th and became the first skyscraper in whole country. From the right side of Gosprom you will see famous old University named after Karazin. The monument of Lenin (was erected in 1963) became popular place for people to meet. The Freedom Square in Kharkov is much bigger than the Red Square in Moscow and is the true heart of the city.

City's main square is the largest square in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe. This is the venue of festivals, concerts, fairs, rallies, meetings, and other public events. The central part of square's circumference is occupied by the State Industry Building or Derzhprom. This is one of city's unique architectural and historic sights. It was built in 1925-1928 to become the first high-rise building in the country. The Derzhprom consists of a group of blocks connected by passages running on different levels. The following figures signify the scope of the structure: total site area occupies 11,000 square meters and the facade length is 300 meters.

The building was designed by architects S.Serafimov, S.Kravets, and M.Feldher. The construction work was headed by prominent civil engineer and academician of architecture, P.Rottert. To the left of the Derzhprom is the building of the Kharkiv National University named after V.Karazin, one of the oldest and largest higher education institutions founded in 1805. The University building has about 2,500 lecture rooms and laboratories.

A monument to the University founder V.Karazin is located nearby on the side of the Shevchenko Gardens. The monument was unveiled in 1906, designed by sculptor I.M.Andreoletti and architect A.I.Beketov.


In the rectangular part of the square (the north side) there is «Kharkiv» Hotel (the former International Hotel), built in 1932-1936 (architect G. Yanovitskiy). It is the last prewar building stylistically similar to the general architectural ensemble of the square. An eight-story building of the Hotel Kharkiv also faces the Svobody Square. During the war the building was destroyed. It was reconstructed in the 50th in the prevailing at the time «stalinist» Neo-Classicism style. In 1976 a new 16-storeyed building was attached to the building of the hotel on the corner of Trinkler Street and Pravda Avenue. Next to Kharkiv Hotel there is a building that accommodates different organizations (architects G. Vegman, E. Belman, D. Morozov; 1954). It conforms well to the space of the square and the dimensions of other buildings. The facade of the building is in Neo-Classicism style.

The square's architectural ensemble is completed by the building of the Oblast Council of People's Deputies erected in 1954 on site of the old one destroyed by Nazis during the war. The building was designed by architects V.Orekhov and V.Kostenko.

The variety of architectural styles of the buildings that surround the square create a unique integral ensemble, the face of Kharkiv. It is worth noting that Svoboda Square is one of the favourite places of Kharkiv’s inhabitants and guests. Different festivities, fairs and concerts take place here.

The main thoroughfare connecting Svobody Square with Oleksiyivka residential area is Lenin Avenue which for the majority of Kharkivites is associated with science because of the numerous educational, research and design organizations located here. It is quite natural that one of the underground stations of the third metro line is called «Nauchna» (Scientific). In August 2004, by the 350th anniversary of the city this line was extended by two new stations - «Botanic Garden» and «23 August». At that time the monument to the founders of Kharkiv was erected at the beginning of the avenue. You can visit the square via flight to Kharkiv.