旧乘客8 张照片

#### Old Arcade Among the lost landmarks of old Kharkov was the “Pashchenko-Tryapkin Arcade,” also known as the “Old Arcade.” It was opened in 1875 and destroyed during the previous war. This unique commercial complex was located in the heart of an area where, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Kharkov Fortress stood. Later, this spot became a crucial intersection, connecting the surrounding districts of the city center. In the 1850s, the ambitious businessman and property owner V.I. Pashchenko-Tryapkin purchased the land and buildings from their previous owners—merchants such as the Karpovs, Pavlovskis, Rastorguevs, and others. He then began constructing new buildings and renovating old ones, converting them into various commercial spaces that he rented out. This business venture proved profitable and continued to thrive until nearly the end of the century. Before his death in Moscow in 1894, Pashchenko-Tryapkin donated all his assets to the city. This generous act greatly enriched the city’s budget and brought numerous benefits to Kharkov. Among Pashchenko-Tryapkin’s properties was the so-called “Big Building,” which included this arcade. The “Big Building” covered an area located along the former Merchant’s Slope (now called Halturnin Slope), between University Street and Klokhtovsky Street. To the north, it bordered the Holy Protection Monastery, while to the south lay the former Cathedral Square, where the bell tower of the Assumption Cathedral and the opposite building of the Governor’s Office once stood. Now, a square with a Eternal Flame stands in this location. The area was densely populated with buildings ranging from two to five stories in height, creating several enclosed inner courtyards. The renovation of old buildings, including Rastorguev’s shop, which was considered one of the oldest and finest shops in the city, as well as the construction of new buildings, were all carried out according to the designs and under the supervision of the military engineer-architect I.F. Kolodiazhny. The construction was pragmatic, without excessive artistic demands, but it was solid and durable. On the ground floors, there were various shops and small service businesses, while the upper floors housed a hotel with a restaurant, a Jewish prayer room, individual apartments, and furnished rooms for rental. In the 1870s, Pashchenko-Tryapkin planned to build both this arcade and additional passageways in the “Big Building.” These passageways were covered glass-roofed galleries that connected different streets. Shops lined both sides of these galleries, attracting many customers. In the 19th century, the construction of such arcades became increasingly common, helping businesses compete more effectively against the less comfortable traditional marketplaces. The design of Kharkov’s arcade was created by the civil engineer-architect D.S. Chernenko at Pashchenko-Tryapkin’s request. It was located in the southeastern corner of the building. The gallery consisted of two sections connected at a right angle. One entrance faced University Street and was at ground level, while the other was located at the third-floor level relative to the slope. A footbridge was built to connect this entrance to the street below. In the 1917 year, this arcade continued to operate successfully. Even during the Soviet era, it managed to compete with the new types of shopping centers that emerged. However, its infrastructure gradually became outdated. In the late 1930s, reconstruction work began according to the plans of architect L.G. Lubarsky, but the war interrupted these efforts. During the 1941–1945 conflict, all parts of the “Big Building,” including the arcade, were destroyed. Later, its ruins were demolished in accordance with the general plan for the restoration and reconstruction of Kharkov, which aimed to reduce the density of the city center’s buildings, improve its infrastructure, and create more green spaces. In its place, a terrace-style park with a fountain and water features was built according to the designs of architect G.G. Vegman, in collaboration with architects A.S. Mayak, I.Y. Zhilkin, and M.S. Lutskiy. This new park offers an unparalleled panorama of the city’s Zalopansky district.