Koenig Palace (Sharovskiy Palace)

After in the distant 1670s, the captain Matthew Shary decided to establish a settlement on the banks of the river, and the history of the park began. The construction of the garden and the construction of the palace began the family of Olkhovsky - the first owners of the estate. When in the late 19th century the estate was acquired by the German Count Leopold Koenig, its flowering began.

There is a legend that a young nobleman Koenig fell in love with a Ukrainian girl. He bought a homestead here to be closer to his beloved, and asked for her hand. The girl agreed and soon became the mistress of the count's palace. Leopold Koenig performed all the whims of his beloved. It was for her sake that he changed the appearance of the estate so much that he began to resemble a palace that was called the White Swan.

The Count invited architect Boris Jacobi, who designed the central part of the building. Now here towered two turrets, giving the building the grandeur of the palace. From the front entrance to the garden to the fountain and the pool was a large staircase with three terraces. The central part of the structure assumed the existence of a large hall for various receptions and celebrations. On the east side, the architect developed a veranda plan that was entirely made of glass. Thus, the castle with a rich decor, stucco and sculptural elements resembled a striking example of a Renaissance building, in which the Gothic details harmoniously intertwined. At the entrance to the estate you will see an old gate with serfs.

"White Swan" stands out against the background of other houses. After the palace was ready, Leopold Koenig ordered that a manor house with a gabled roof, a gardener's house and its front gardens, greenhouses and greenhouses, as well as a hut of a forester in the forest, be built in the estate.

When awake in Sharovka, take a stroll through the garden and park complex. This is a real work of art. Legend says that soon after the wedding, the wife of Count Koenig fell ill, and she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. At that time, this illness announced a quick demise. To somehow ease the suffering of his wife, the count broke the park here. Ponds were excavated, several varieties of coniferous trees planted, as well as lime trees, beloved by the girl. And in fact, these trees look rather unusual. Their branches spread not in the sides as usual, but vertically. There are also centuries-old oak-giants.

There is also a "love stone" in the park, in which the count confessed his love to his chosen one. They say that if the beloved touches him, then happiness will never leave them. If someone else is looking for a second half, then touching the "love stone" will speed up the meeting.

You can get to Sharovka from Kharkov. From the central market, minibuses and buses depart towards Krasnokutsk. Before the pointer "Sharovka" you need to go out and walk to the castle, which will take about five minutes.