#UKRAINEinLEGObricks

#UKRAINEinLEGObricks features five new models of Ukraine's prominent landmarks: Golden Gate, Khan Palace, Pidhirtsi Castle, Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory.

KHAN PALACE (CRIMEA, UKRAINE). The only example of Crimean Tatar palace architecture in the world, the Khan Palace was the main residence of the Crimean Khanate rulers — the House of Giray. Since its construction in the 16th century, it remains a unique architectural complex of Islamic Mediterranean and Black Sea culture in Europe. Since 2014, the occupying russian authorities have been gradually destroying the building's authentic structure, under the guise of restoration. The Khan Palace is a symbol of Crimean Tatar culture and hope of returning to their homeland.

GOLDEN GATE (KYIV, UKRAINE). The Golden Gate is over a thousand years old! Can you imagine? This was the main gate for the capital of the Kyivan Rus, and one of the oldest buildings in Eastern Europe. In medieval Kyiv, the Golden Gate played several important roles at once — a defensive structure, a front gate, and even a church. Today, it’s Kyiv's calling card - one that’s synonymous with the capital of Ukraine.

MYKOLAIV ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY (MYKOLAIV, UKRAINE). One of the oldest naval observatories in Eastern Europe was founded in 1821. In the early 1960s, the Mykolaiv observatory received the Carl Zeiss zone astrograph. Since then, its photographic observations of solar system bodies are considered to be among the most accurate in the world. In 2007, the Mykolaiv observatory was added to UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites. Today, this unique architectural structure is under threat of destruction due to the constant shelling of Mykolaiv by russia.

ODESA NATIONAL ACADEMIC OPERA AND BALLET THEATRE (ODESA, UKRAINE). The oldest opera house in Ukraine, this building was opened in 1810. During World War II, the command of the Odesa defensive area appointed a special anti-aircraft unit to protect the theater from bombing. Guns were installed on nearby roofs, guarding during the 73-day siege of the city. A little more than 80 years later, anti-aircraft units and anti-tank “hedgehogs” appeared again around the opera house. This time due to the full-scale invasion of russia — the Nazi invaders of the 21st century. Despite constant russian shelling, the country's oldest opera house continues to work.

PIDHIRTSI CASTLE (LVIV OBLAST, UKRAINE). Built in 1635-1640, Pidhirtsi Castle is a real gem of Western European architecture. Unlike many other buildings in the West of Ukraine, it was built for leisure, rather than for defensive purposes: the building project included a landscape park and two churches, and in the 18th century, a theater was built inside the palace. The World Monuments Fund has included Pidhirtsi Castle in the list of 100 objects of world historical and architectural heritage that can be lost to humanity.